NewSoftSerial C++ Question?

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Software Syntax & Programs
1

I am trying to use the NewSoftSerial Class inside of a Class that I created called Device but I am getting the following error when I try to compile the code:

In file included from Device.cpp:3:
/Device.h:10: error: expected identifier before numeric constant
/Device.h:10: error: expected ',' or '...' before numeric constant
In file included from hardware\libraries\Device/Portal.h:10,

My class definition is:

#include <NewSoftSerial.h>

class Device
{
private:
int _id;
char _name[30];
public:
class NewSoftSerial;
NewSoftSerial Xbee(8,9); // line 10
};

Please help??
Thanks
Rico Bravo

2

why do you have class NewSoftSerial; inside public. As far as I understand, this would mean that you're trying to create a new class object named NewSoftSerial.

You don't need that line. Modified code below:

#include <NewSoftSerial.h>

class Device
{
    private:
          int _id;
          char _name[30];
    public:
          //class NewSoftSerial;
          NewSoftSerial Xbee(8,9);   // line 10
};
3

It looks like you are trying to instantiate the class in the declaration, which AFAIK you can't do.

--Phil.

4

I tried this fix but still got the following error:

#include <NewSoftSerial.h>

class Device
{
private:
int _id;
char _name[30];
public:
//class NewSoftSerial;
NewSoftSerial Xbee(8,9); // line 10
};

In file included from Device.cpp:3:
/Device.h:10: error: expected identifier before numeric constant
/Device.h:10: error: expected ',' or '...' before numeric constant

5

Let me try saying this:

I am trying to use the NewSoftSerial function inside of a class I created called Device but I am unsure how to get it to work. For example where do I put the " #include <NewSoftSerial.h>" in my Device class or in the main code? Where do I declare "NewSoftSerial Xbee(8,9);" in my Device class or in the main body of the code..not sure...please help?
RB

6

I can help with this.

The only constructor NewSoftSerial provides take two arguments. If you want to embed an instance of a NewSoftSerial object in your class, you must initialize it with two arguments in the constructor like this:

// declaration
class Device
{
  NewSoftSerial XBee;
  public:
  Device(); // constructor
  ...
}

// implementation
Device::Device() : XBee(8, 9)
{
...
}

You have to #include <NewSoftSerial.h> both in the header for your Device class AND in the main body of your code.

Mikal

7

Nice eye mikalhart. I never noticed that he was trying to construct the newsoftserial object in the class definition.

8

Awesome!!!! IT works like a charm!!
One more Question??? Does NewSoftSerial use the same buffer that the Arduino Rx and Tx pins 0 & 1 use?? Can Arduino Rx and Tx operate and the same time as NewSoftSerial Rx and Tx pins???

Thanks
Rico

9

Rico,

NewSoftSerial's buffer is not the same one used by the "hardware" serial port that is connected to pins 0 and 1, so it is perfectly ok to use Serial and NewSoftSerial in the same application. Indeed, that is the most common use for NewSoftSerial -- to provide serial transmission when the "hardware" serial port is already occupied.

Mikal