Alastair & Emmitt, Thanks for the replies. As with many of my apps, they are tightly connected with other systems. In this case production machinery that needs input via RS232 communications. (COM ports) We have 8 pieces of machinery that will be using this app via Linux based thin clients, running RDP /terminal services and using touch screens. So, I am really desiring direct access to the serial ports.
I have not tried Emmitt's suggestion of creating a generic text printer, but it may be a solution. The Launch Print command does work and may be the resulting answer as well. However, I am not understanding the HELP description about the OUTPUT COM1 command. It says that a file is created and per your suggestion, I scanned the PC and could not find one. Out of curiosity, I OUTPUT COM1 on a PC that did not have any serial ports (a more common situation these days) and an error returned - "-error- unable to open file: com1 (2583)" So Rbase must be doing more than creating a simple file since it detects whether a serial port is available or not. Ideally I like to keep everything within Rbase when possible, no temporary .dat files or launching dos windows etc. Anyway, I am running with the LAUNCH command for the time being. I may have to work on getting rid of the black command prompt window and some other issues. I will try to test Emmitt's idea as well. Thanks all, -Bob -- Thompson Technology Consultants LaPorte, IN 46350 219-363-7441 -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Alastair Burr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bob, Further back in the help under the heading: About the OUTPUT Command R:BASE cannot tell that the argument LPT1 or COM1 is not the name of a file. For example, if you use the command OUTPUT LPT1, R:BASE creates a file named LPT1. Because R:BASE thinks LPT1 is a file, R:BASE does not print the last buffer of output until you redirect output to the screen. As Emmitt said, it looks like you need to fool R:Base in some way. You should be able to find a file named COM1 somewhere that should confirm what has been happening. Regards, Alastair. ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: RBASE-L Mailing List Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 7:47 PM Subject: [RBASE-L] - Writing to COM port Any thoughts on the following? Output COM1 Write .vVar1 Write .vVar2 Write .vVar3 OutPut Screen Nothing goes to the COM port. (I have a LED communications monitor on the port) Output Test.dat Write .vVar1 Write .vVar2 Write .vVar3 OutPut Screen Output COM1 Type test.dat Output screen Nothing goes to the COM port. Make a batch file Test.Bat containing: Print /D:COM1 Test.dat Exit Launch Test.Bat The data flows to the COM port perfectly. I would like not to use the Launch command if possible. Help states : The following command sends data and messages to the printer, designated as COM1. COM1 is treated as a file that is automatically copied to a printer device when the OUTPUT SCREEN command is issued. OUTPUT COM1 Any thoughts on how I write to the COM1 serial port directly without using Launch? Thanks, -Bob -- Thompson Technology Consultants LaPorte, IN 46350 219-363-7441 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.13/1825 - Release Date: 02/12/2008 20:44
