Serial Communications Developer's Guide (Paperback)

~ Mark Nelson (Author) "THIS CHAPTER PROVIDES a concentrated overview of RS-232, some of the hardware used in serial communications, and tools of the trade..." (more)
Key Phrases: int dtr, int rts, intelligent multiport boards, Serial Communications Developer's Guide, Second Edition, Using Modems Under (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Thoroughly revised and updated with new material on the 32-bit windows platform, this comprehensive guide delivers everything you need to write robust applications for embedded, data logging, point-of-sale, and other communications systems. You'll get a complete introduction to serial communications basics, tips on getting the most out of Windows APIs, methods for maximizing data exchange rates over high-speed modems, and the latest techniques for object-oriented programming. Featuring a CD-ROM packed with ready-to-run code modules, this is the one guide you need for successful serial communications development.

From the Back Cover

Serial Communications Developer's Guide 2nd Edition Inside Find Out How to:

• Write communications programs that are easily ported between different operating systems and hardware platforms
• Access modems or other serial devices across networks
• Use standard and intelligent multiport boards
• Implement file transfer formats such as XModem, YModem, ZModem, and Kermit
• Interface with the latest high-speed modems at data rates of 57.6Kbps and higher
• Write terminal emulation code that works on a wide variety of systems
• Write communications programs t hat take advantage of Windows 95, 98, and NT communications APIs
• Use TAPI and take the mystery out of modem settings

All source code and files for use with Microsoft Visual C++ and Borland C++ included on CD-ROM System Requirements: For 16-bit programming: Computer must be able to run Windows 3.1 and Borland or Microsoft 16-bit compilers. Borland C++ 4.5 or Microsoft Visual C++ 1.52. For 32-bit programming: Computer must be able to run Windows 95/98/NT and Microsoft 32-bit compilers. Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0 or later required. The Latest Tools and Best Techniques for Fast Results Now thoroughly revised and updated with new material on the 32-bit windows platform, this comprehensive guide delivers everything you need to write robust applications for embedded, data logging, point-of-sale, and other communications systems. Expert programmer and instructor Mark Nelson gives you a complete introduction to serial communications basics, tips on getting the most out of Windows APIs, methods for maximizing data exchange rates over high-speed modems, and the latest techniques for object-oriented programming. Featuring a CD-ROM packed with ready-to-run code modules, this is the one guide you need for successful serial communications development.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 859 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; 2nd edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764545701
• ISBN-13: 978-0764545702
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,450,658 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow-Sirs, May 31, 2000

By	Michael Schweisguth (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This book has lots and lots and lots of good information.

I read a few of the beginning chapters on serial port communications, and then skimmed stuff about the history of RS232, including BIOS interfaces, etc...

The thing that i found amazing was the variety of information. The author, for example, actually includes a home-brew windowing system. you can tell that this guy loves to do what he does, and he likes to think about *every* part of the system, from the O/S, to the user interface, to the software design.

I went to the Win32 section, since I wanted to use the windows communications API. I was able to write my application in less than 7 days!, so its better than a "in 21 days book!" however, i have been using Win32 for quite some time.

i also got, and will probably return, Serial Port Complete because I have Parallel Port Complete (a gem) and the content seems to overlap.

the Serial Communications Developer's Guide, IMO, will awe you with both minute technical detail as well as a good dose of pratical system level insights!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent source for Windows applications, July 27, 2001

By A Customer

Although the book requires a lot of reading, it describes the use of the CD's source code in great detail. Included source code is for both DOS applications, DOS programs running as "Terminal" applications under Windows as well as for Windows applications.

Microsoft's MSComm Active X is ok where dialog based Windows applications are desired. But in a Windows 98 application that rapidly sends, receives and checks incoming data without user input, this software is an absolute MUST to have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Reader From England, September 22, 2003

By A Customer

I recently purchased this book for my Meng Project, involving
controlling a vision head focus,zoom through a pic serial port connected to a pc with vision modelling.
I am surprised, that the code is written in a fashion which is
totally unbearable, hard to understand and just reflects the authors perception and imagination rather than discussing the
important communication building blocks and instructions.
Its totally ambigious to distinguish the original c++ routines and the invented commands written in form of classes.
I think if i read through all that material in header files i will lag so behind completing my original project.....
The paper quality is poor and not very pleasant to read.