Error when sending strings with Xbee

Projects Programming
1

I am trying to use Arduino to use string type data via Xbee.

In a segment of my code in void loop,

I have:

    if (XBee.available())  
   {
          char c = XBee.read();
           if (c == 'q')
   {
      delay(1000);
      XBee.write('A');
      Serial.println("A sent");
    }
   }

The above works and 'A' is sent.

However, when I try to modify the code to send a variable (generated by a light sensor) as shown below, I get 'no matching function for call to 'SoftwareSerial::write(String&) error' for the line 'Xbee.write(data)'.

    if (XBee.available())  
   {
          char c = XBee.read();
           if (c == 'q')
   {
      delay(100);
      String data;
      data=String(event.light);
      Serial.println(data);
      delay(1000);
      XBee.write(data);
      Serial.println("value sent");
    }
   }

Why do I get this error and how can I successfully modify my code to send variables?

2

It appears that SoftwareSerial does not support the write() method for Strings but you could, however, use the print() method instead

3

Thanks UKHeliBob, that worked! Seems like I'll just stick to Xbee.print from now on. Also I'm just wondering if there are situations where using xbee print might be more advantageous?

4

More advantageous than what ?

5

more advantageous than using xbee.write?

6

pyren:
more advantageous than using xbee.write?

Considering that you cannot use xbee.write() it must be more advantageous

7

Oops, I asked my question the wrong way :sweat_smile:

8

So what is the actual question ?

In general, write() outputs bytes and print() outputs chars

9

Have a look at the examples in Serial Input Basics - simple reliable ways to receive data. There is also a parse example to illustrate how to extract numbers from the received text.

The technique in the 3rd example will be the most reliable.

You can send data in a compatible format with code like this

Serial.print('<'); // start marker
Serial.print(value1);
Serial.print(','); // comma separator
Serial.print(value2);
Serial.println('>'); // end marker

...R