+----------------------------------------+ ComPort Library version 2.

61a for Delphi 3, 4, 5 and C++ Builder 3, 4, 5 by Dejan Crnila 1998-2000 C++ Builder support by Paul Doland +----------------------------------------+ Contents 1. Author information 2. Support 3. Files in archive 4. Examples 5. Package names 6. Installing ComPort Library 7. C++ Builder notes 8. Installing help file 9. Known problems and issues 10. Version history 1. Author information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: Dejan Crnila E-mail: [email protected] Home page: http://www2.arnes.si/~sopecrni Home address: Dolenja vas 111, 3312 Prebold, SLOVENIA Year of birth: 1978 Occupation: Student of computer science at University of Ljubljana Note: ComPort Library has been in development more than two years with a lot of work put in it. I have been thinking about making it shareware, but i have decided to distribute it as freeware with sources, because i want to contribute as much as possible to the Delphi community on the internet. I have tried several programming languages, but not a single one comes close to Delphi's simplicity and power. However, i ask all ComPort Library users to send me at least a postcard if they find the component useful. That will give me a motivation for further development of the component. I hope that this is not too much to ask from you. 2. Support -------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you have any questions, suggestions, opinion or any other messages, please visit ComPort Library Forum at http://www.delphi.com/comportlib/messages Authors and other ComPort Library users check this forum often and you'll get answer as quick as possible. 3. Files in archive -------------------------------------------------------------------------------ReadMe.Txt - this file Sources.zip - ComPort Library sources Help.zip - Delphi context-sensitive help file for library

Examples.zip - Example projects 4. Examples -------------------------------------------------------------------------------ComExample.dpr - shows some basic send-recieve features ModTest.dpr - modem test console application MiniTerm.dpr - simple terminal application CPortMonitor.pas - TCPortMonitor component for monitoring incoming and outgoing data. This example shows how to link to TCustomComPort component. Author: Roelof Y. Ensing (e-mail: [email protected]). BarCodeScanner.pas - TBarCodeScanner component. An example of simple TCustomComPort descendant. 5. Package names -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Design-Time Source Run-Time Source -----------------------------Delphi 3 DsgnCPort3.dpk CPortLib3.dpk Delphi 4 DsgnCPort4.dpk CPortLib4.dpk Delphi 5 DsgnCPort5.dpk CPortLib5.dpk C++ Builder 3 DsgnCPortCB3.bpk CPortLibCB3.bpk C++ Builder 4 DsgnCPortCB4.bpk CPortLibCB4.bpk C++ Builder 5 DsgnCPortCB5.bpk CPortLibCB5.bpk Design-Time library ---------------DsgnCPort3.dpl DsgnCPort4.bpl DsgnCPort5.bpl DsgnCPortCB3.bpl DsgnCPortCB3.bpl DsgnCPortCB3.bpl Run-Time library ---------------CPortLib3.dpl CPortLib4.bpl CPortLib5.bpl CPortLibCB3.bpl (also .lib and .bpi) CPortLibCB4.bpl (also .lib and .bpi) CPortLibCB5.bpl (also .lib and .bpi)

Delphi 3 Delphi 4 Delphi 5 C++ Builder 3 C++ Builder 3 C++ Builder 3

6. Installation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Remove all previously installed files of ComPort Library (TComPort component). Create a new folder under Delphi directory and extract Sources zip file into new folder. Set Library Path to new ComPort folder (Tools-Environment Options-Library-Library Path). For Delphi 3, 4, 5 & C++ Builder 4, 5: (C++ Builder users also need to read the C++ Builder notes) Use "File/Open" menu item in Delphi/C++ Builder IDE to open ComPort run-time package source file (see above). Click "Compile" button in Package window to compile the library. Now move run-time package library file or files (see above) from ComPort folder to a folder that is accessible through the search PATH (e.g. WinNT\System32). Now you have to install design-time package. Use File/Open menu item to open design-time package source file (see above). Click "Compile" button in Package window to compile the package and "Install" button to register ComPort into the IDE. ComPort components appear in "CPortLib" page of component pallete. If it complains that it can't install it because it can't find a library, you probably did not put the run-time package in the search path. You might

not get this error until the next time you try to start Delphi/C++ Builder. Note: Do not save packages under Delphi/C++ Builder IDE. For C++ Builder 3 (C++ Builder users also need to read the C++ Builder notes) C++ Builder 3 does not have a "Package window" like the other products. So, installation is slightly different. Use "File/Open" menu item in Delphi/C++ Builder IDE to open ComPort run-time package source file (see above). Compile the package from the project menu or Ctrl-F9. Now move run-time package library files (see above) from ComPort folder to a folder that is accessible through the search PATH (e.g. WinNT\System32). Now you have to install design-time package. Use File/Open menu item to open design-time package source file (see above). Compile the package from the project menu or Ctrl-F9. To install the package into the IDE, go to the Component menu, "Install Packages" option. Click the Add button. Browse to the design-time library and select it. If it complains that it can't install it because it can't find a library, you probably did not put the run-time package in the search path as described above. Note about Delphi 2: Note: Delphi 2 is no longer suported, however, with some minor changes, it should compile under Delphi 2 as well. Use "Component/Install" menu item to add "CPortReg.pas" unit to the component library. This unit registers ComPort components on "CPortLib" page of component pallete. 7. C++ Builder Notes -----------------------------------------------------------------------------The .hpp file C++ Builder creates for cport.pas will have a bug in it. The first time you compile a project, you will get one or two duplicate definitions within the EComPort exception class. It seems to be safe to delete or comment out the duplicates. Also, the CPortCtl.HPP may have a bug in it. If you get an error about the following being ambiguous; typedef TBitmap TLedBitmap; Change it to: typedef Graphics::TBitmap TLedBitmap; If someone knows how to fix these more cleanly, please post what you find to the CPort Forum so that we can incorporate your findings in future revisions. 8. Installing help file -----------------------------------------------------------------------------In Delphi/C++ Builder, go to the Help menu, customize item. You should be

presented with a tabbed notebook, "Contents" tab selected. Click the + (Add File s) button. Browse to the CPort directory. Select CPort.toc. Click on the "Index" tab. Click Add Files. Select CPort.hlp. Click on the "Link" tab. Click Add Files. Select CPort.hlp. Select File Menu/Save Project Item. Exit program. Note that Borland's OpenHelp utility does not prompt you if you close the program and forget to save your changes, so you must remember to do so yourself. 9. Known problems and issues ----------------------------------------------------------------------------1.) OnRxBuf event handler problem in Delphi IDE If user double clicks on OnRxBuf event in Delphi IDE, message pops up saying: "Property and Method ComPort1RxBuf are not compatible". This is a Delphi IDE bug, since it can't handle untyped parameters like Buffer parameter of OnRxBuf event. Solution: Application has to assign OnRxBuf handler manually in code. 2.) Two serial ports sharing the same IRQ address Some users of Windows 95/98 have reported that application can't have two TComPort components open simultaneouslly if serial ports share the same IRQ address. This usually COM1/COM3 and COM2/COM4. Solution: Not known yet. 10. Version history ----------------------------------------------------------------------------2.61a (29.6.2000) TComTerminal.WantTab property TComDataPacket.AddData method Many small fixes 2.61 (11.6.2000) TComDataPacket supports custom packet forming TComTerminal LoadFromStream/SaveToStream methods lsConn signal support in TComLed Other minor changes 2.60 (1.5.2000) TComTerminal component WaitForEvent method in TComPort component 2.52 (30.3.2000) C++ Builder support added by Paul Doland Rx and Tx signal support in TComLed 2.51 (3.3.2000) OnAfterOpen, OnAfterClose, OnBeforeClose, OnBeforeOpen events Support for custom baud rate values Other minor changes and fixes 2.50 (10.2.2000) New components: TComDataPacket, TComComboBox, TComRadioGroup and TComLed

BeginUpdate, EndUpdate methods StoreSettings, LoadSettings methods TComFlowControl.FlowControl property Bug fix and code optimization 2.01 (1.11.1999) Added EnumComPorts procedure Port property changed to PortNum (now String type property) 2.00 (17.10.1999) New concept of calling asynchronous operations Some new properties, methods Code optimization, simplification Help file included 1.71 (27.05.1999) A bug fix! 1.70 (28.04.1999) New methods: SetDTR, SetRTS, SetBreak, SetXonXoff Properties can be changed during a session 1.60 (10.04.1999) New properties: EventChar, DiscardNull, SyncMethod Extended Parity property Fixed compilation problems Other bug fixes 1.50 (13.03.1999) Read/Write operations in asynchronous/synchronous mode Added OnRx80Full event Extended flow control Added Timeouts property 1.01 (24.10.1998) Added more signal detection functions. Added this documentation. Added PurgeOut function. Fixed some minor bugs. 1.00 (29.09.1998) Basic version of the component