Using Com ports to send data

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

Here's where I am stuck.....

I have a Ciseco SRF Stick that I want to communicate with a Ciseco SRF Shield mounted to an Arduino UNO. The Stick is plugged into my laptop and is recognized as COM3. Now how do I write to the Com port? I've done an internet search on using the USB but no one simply tells me how to write to the port. Nor could I find anything in a Javascript/Jquery programming book.

Any help would be appreciated.

Farmboy

#2

Now how do I write to the Com port?

Using what programming language? VisualBasic and C# have a SerialPort class that makes writing to the serial port trivial. VisualC++ has a serial port class that is a pain in the ass to use.

#3

Thanks PaulS. I guess I haven't gotten that far. I was hoping to use JavaScript/Jquery, but perhaps VisualBasic would be a better choice for what I want to do.

However, I was hoping there was a way using a browser to poke data into the Com Port. No? I just need to send simple commands of a few characters/bytes.

Farmboy

#4

However, I was hoping there was a way using a browser to poke data into the Com Port. No?

A browser makes GET requests of a server. How could it “poke data into the Com port”? Which COM port would it be poking data into? One on the server?

#5

Sorry, I'm an old "bit banger" from the 70's and 80's that isn't yet up on how to use servers, etc. I'm used to writing data to a micro port using assembly language, and I've learned a bit of C++ using my Arduino.

The SRF Stick is plugged into a USB port on my laptop and is addressed as COM3. That's about as far as I understand so far.

Previously I was using an Arduino YUN and sending commands via WiFi to it using a URL. I am presuming there is a similar method for using this COM3 port. But maybe not.

What do you recommend for procuring VisualBasic? I saw a Softonic version that I could download but I'm leery of downloads due to virus's etc. I was on Microsofts website and that send me to Visual Studio that seemed like a lot more than just VB.

Thanks for the help.

Farmboy

#6

Get a terminal program like PuTTY. That will let you communicate with the COM port, just like the old days.

#7

Now how do I write to the Com port?

If you want to type in commands, then try using the arduino IDE serial monitor.

#8