serial

Header-only serial library for Windows and Linux.

API

The SerialPort type

A POD type that holds information about the serial port. An object of this type is produced by open and must be passed through to all other functions.

The Settings type

A POD type that holds:

• Baud rate -> int
• Character size -> int : 5-8
• Flow control -> enum class FlowControl : NONE | SOFTWARE | HARDWARE
• Parity -> enum class Parity : NONE | ODD | EVEN
• Stop bits -> enum class StopBits : ONE | ONE_POINT_FIVE | TWO

An object of this type should be provided to the configure to apply the settings to an open serial port. The type has sane defaults that apply to most devices. Usually the only thing that needs changing is the baud rate.

open(char* path)

Provide a valid path to a serial port device and a SerialPort object will be returned.

configure(SerialPort& sp, Settings settings)

After opening a port, it should be configured. Usually the only setting that needs to be changed is the baud rate.

set_low_latency(SerialPort& sp, bool low_latency)

Sets the device latency to 1ms if low_latency is true.

in_waiting(SerialPort& sp)

Return the number of bytes waiting to be read off the serial port.

clear_input(SerialPort& sp)

Discard all data that is currently waiting to be read from the port.

clear_output(SerialPort& sp)

Discard all data that is waiting to be written to the port.

read(SerialPort& sp, char* buf, int length, int timeout)

Read bytes from the serial port.

The buf should be at least length in size.

Timeout:

• 0: the read will not block but return instantly with the number of bytes read. The buffer will be filled by any bytes read.
• -1: the read will block until length bytes have been read.
• > 0: the read will block until either length bytes have been read, or timeout milliseconds have passed.

write(SerialPort& sp, char* buf, int length, int timeout)

Write bytes to serial port.

Again, the buf should be at least length in size.

The rules for timeout are the same as with read.