Hello!
I have been using arduino and its basic functionality for quite some time now. Recently I decided to move to some more advanced fields, such as rf. I have been reading through a lot of the basics (theory of physics, coding principles, ...).
I want to implement my cheap 433 mhz radio Modules (xy-fst / xy-fsr) by using a contributed library (which is found here: New Arduino library for 433 MHz AM radio modules).
Some of the code is using bitwise operations (such as comparing and matching values, parity and so on) but I have only read about using those when operating with two values. The thing is that In the code, they are used in a way I do not understand and haven't been able to find anything regarding this kind of syntax:
someFunction( (byte *) someint )
So.. what I want to know: what is happening with someint ?
As far as I got it, every datatype can be handled as a byte (or several bytes), but what comes with this implementation and what are some obligatory examples of using it?
If anyone can link up some reference to using bitwise operators this way, I would be really grateful
So.. what I want to know: what is happening with someint ?
The value is being cast to a byte pointer. That means that the memory locations (two consecutive bytes) are to be used as an array of bytes, rather than as an int.
As far as I got it, every datatype can be handled as a byte (or several bytes)
This is true.
but what comes with this implementation
A function may have some reason for just caring about the collection of bytes, with no need to understand what the bytes mean. For instance, if you wish to copy an array of floats, there is no need to know what order the bytes are in, because "this byte goes there" is all that matters.
and what are some obligatory examples of using it?
There is never any obligation to write code this way. Sometimes its easier.
If anyone can link up some reference to using bitwise operators this way
No bitwise operators were used in that code, so references seem useless.
TL,DR: what does "(type *) value" do?
The () say that the value is to be cast to (treated as) whatever the type is in the parentheses.