> Serial ports are/can be treated as files > WriteLn(PortName, 'here, read this'); > > Mick >
It's true but you also need a protocol for knowing if the attched device is online, ready to receive, ready to send, has received a message, wants the message resent etc. and the device may itself be capable of initiating dialogue with the computer; There is also the problem of timing and baud rate and bit setting transmission parameters; The components mentioned have events which are triggered when data is input or output and give a more complete control of the serial protocol and the transmission parameters, It would also be possible to use the WinAPI functions but the components mentioned already do this, were made by experts, have been well tested and have been in use for years and are free, so I would use them, Kevin P.S. I often make a test program using a second port (connecting the two serial ports with a null modem cable): I use this to pass data back and forward and in some cases to emulate the external device (this not always being available during SW development) so that I know that data is passing both ways as it should; _______________________________________________ Delphi mailing list -> [email protected] http://www.elists.org/mailman/listinfo/delphi
