Createfile function...I am so lost...

[Unregistered]

I need to open COM1 for reading data only. I thought I could use the function Createfile. I am using MS VC++ and want to do this inside of my C application. I am lost and need guidance. I'm not looking for anyone to write code for me...just some help. Thanks!
Fred

[GaPe]

Post your code.

[Fordy]

Firstly I cant test any code I write on COM1 as my port has no devices.........

I wrote the following using LPT1 (my paralell port that has a printer on it) so I guess they shouls work the same......Also of course I couldnt recieve data...only write.......but it should give you some idea..

#include <windows.h>
#include <string.h>



int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hThisInstance,
				   HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, 
				   LPSTR lpszArgument, 
				   int nShow)
{
	HANDLE hFile;
	DWORD dwWritten;
	char Buff[] = "Hello World",
		 Feed[] = "\f";

	hFile = CreateFile("LPT1",GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE,
		FILE_SHARE_READ | FILE_SHARE_WRITE,NULL,OPEN_EXISTING,
		FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,NULL);//Open up LPT1
	
	
	if(hFile == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE){
		MessageBox(HWND_DESKTOP,"Could not open LPT1",
			"Error",MB_OK);
		return 1;
	}

	WriteFile(hFile,Buff,strlen(Buff),&dwWritten,NULL);
		//Write my catchy phrase
	
	WriteFile(hFile,Feed,strlen(Feed),&dwWritten,NULL);
		//Send the ASCII char to feed page
    
	CloseHandle(hFile);//Close my handle
    return 0;
}

[Unregistered]

GaPe,
I had written code but unfortunately it was not relevant to using the functions that I (think???) I need such as (CreateFile, BuildCommDCB, ReadFile, etc.). I guess I need to know if I'm on the right track using these functions for opening and configuring a serial port and then reading continuous streaming data from the serial port. I am using an NT machine doing my development in C in developer studio. PS- I wouldn't mind seeing an example if anyone could provide one.
Thanks!
Fred

[Unregistered]

Fordy,
This at least gives me a clue.
Thanks!
Fred

[Unregistered]

Well I thought it helped but I am still lost. I have outlined what I need to do. My outline is as follows:
1. Open a serial port (COM1).
2. Set up it's parameters (baud rate, etc).
3. Read data from the serial port.
4. Put this data into variable strings and intergers.
5. Provide error handline for comunications.
6. Closing the serial port.

I think I know which functions to use ( CreateFile, BuildCommDCB, ReadFile, etc.). But I am having trouble with visualizing how to get the serial data from the serial port into my variables. I would appreciate some guidance. Thanks!
Fred

[Hammer]

Try a few searches.

And another

[Unregistered]

Hammer,
Thanks for the links....still can't seem to put it together.
Fred

[Unregistered]

Could somebody please help me with putting together the code or ideas of going from the "ReadFile" stage to putting the data from the ReadFile into variables. Thanks!
Fred

[quzah]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Could somebody please help me with putting together the code or ideas of going from the "ReadFile" stage to putting the data from the ReadFile into variables. Thanks!
Fred

No. This is not a "here, let me do everything for you" board. This is a "post your code, and we'll help with problems" board.

Quzah.

[Unregistered]

I am just looking for an example on how to take what I get from the ReadFile and put it into variables. An example is all. I am not looking for any more hardship. Thanks!
Fred

[Pappy1942]

Hi,
Look here.

http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~mcken/pet/portio/ReadMe.html

Pappy

[Unregistered]

Thanks Pappy! However, I have all the functions working that configure, open, and read from the comm port. I just need to figure out how to go from what the ReadFile function reads in, to putting the bytes read in into variables. I wish someone with god-like ability would come through and help this pure mortal out on this. Thanks!
Fred

[Fordy]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Thanks Pappy! However, I have all the functions working that configure, open, and read from the comm port. I just need to figure out how to go from what the ReadFile function reads in, to putting the bytes read in into variables. I wish someone with god-like ability would come through and help this pure mortal out on this. Thanks!
Fred

The buffer you pass as parameter 2 to ReadFile holds the data read........ you use param 3 to say how much data you want read.....then param 4 tells you how much was actually read.......

[Unregistered]

Fordy,
I know that. I am missing something very basic here. That is what I have in param 2 needs to get into my variables. Can I just do a strcpy of what's in param 2 to each one of my variables or something like that?
Fred