ComPort Library

ComPort library with USB COM port disconnected issue fixed. Solution isn't perfect and still is possible to suspend application on infinite WaitForSingleObject, especially in the case of very slow transmission speeds (300-600 bauds), but it's a lot better than before. When USB COM port disconnected error occures, handler OnAfterClose is executed and exception "Port Disconnected" (TComException = CE_PortDisconnected) is generated.

The ComPort Library contains code to access COM Ports. Originally, the COM port was the name of the serial port interface of IBM-PC compatible computers. While nowadays COM ports get less important for communication in favor for USB access, it is still in use as virtual ports, especially as simple communication protocol for maker boards.

This library is a fork of the original ComPort Library 4.10, which can found here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/comport/

As it is a fork, some of the original commit messages are still accessible.

The master branch is focused on Delphi and all CBuilder support has been removed. However, the old CBuilder code is still accessible in the LegacyCBuilderSupport branch

Requirements

Delphi: 7, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, XE, XE2, XE3, XE4, XE5, XE6, XE7, XE8, RS10, RS10.1, RS10.2, RS10.3

Authors

Original Author: Dejan Crnila 1998-2002 ([email protected])

Former Maintainers: Lars Dybdahl ([email protected]), Paul Doland ([email protected]), Brian Gochnauer ([email protected])

Package names

Installation

Remove all previously installed files of ComPort Library (TComPort component). Create a new folder under Delphi directory and extract sources zip file into new folder. Add to the Library Path the new ComPort folder (Tools-Environment Options-Library-Library Path).

For Delphi 2006:

Use the instructions below for all other Delphi versions. I recommend installing CPort while running Delphi 2006 in the "all personalities" mode of Delphi, rather than in the Delphi only personality. That helps make sure CPort gets installed dual-mode.

Use "File/Open" menu item in Delphi IDE to open ComPort run-time package source file (see above). Click "Compile" button in Package window to compile the library. Now move run-time package library file or files (see above) from ComPort folder to a folder that is accessible through the search PATH (e.g. Windows\System32).

Now you have to install design-time package. Use File/Open menu item to open design-time package source file (see above). Click "Compile" button in Package window to compile the package and "Install" button to register ComPort into the IDE. ComPort components appear in "CPortLib" page of component pallete. If it complains that it can't install it because it can't find a library, you probably did not put the run-time package in the search path. You might not get this error until the next time you try to start Delphi.

Note: Do not save packages under Delphi IDE.

Examples

ComExample.dpr - shows some basic send-recieve features

ModTest.dpr - modem test console application

MiniTerm.dpr - simple terminal application

CPortMonitor.pas - TCPortMonitor component for monitoring incoming and outgoing data. This example shows how to link to TCustomComPort component. Author: Roelof Y. Ensing (e-mail: [email protected]).

BarCodeScanner.pas - TBarCodeScanner component. An example of simple TCustomComPort descendant.

Installing help file (not available for Delphi2005)

In Delphi, go to the Help menu, customize item. You should be presented with a tabbed notebook, "Contents" tab selected. Click the + (Add Files) button. Browse to the CPort directory. Select CPort.toc.

Click on the "Index" tab. Click Add Files. Select CPort.hlp. Click on the "Link" tab. Click Add Files. Select CPort.hlp. Select File Menu/Save Project Item. Exit program. Note that Borland's OpenHelp utility does not prompt you if you close the program and forget to save your changes, so you must remember to do so yourself.

Known problems and issues

1.) OnRxBuf event handler problem in Delphi IDE

 If user double clicks on OnRxBuf event in Delphi IDE, message pops up
 saying: "Property and Method ComPort1RxBuf are not compatible".
 This is a Delphi IDE bug, since it can't handle untyped parameters
 like Buffer parameter of OnRxBuf event.
  
 Solution: Application has to assign OnRxBuf handler manually in code.    

2.) No integrated help for Delphi 2005 or 2006.

 Solution:  Manually open .HLP file with Windows Help.