asked on

Reading Data From the Com Port

Hi,
Can anyone give me some sample code on how to read data that is sent to a com port? I have attached a barcode reader to the com port which sends back the barcode value and in my VB i need to be able to read this value.

Can anyone help??

Thanks in Advance

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

bingie

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bingie

Oops...where as the barcode data is serial bits you should try the following:

Private Sub Form_Load()

'add this to the above form load
timer1.Interval = 50 'change as you see fit. now set to 50 ms
timer1.enabled = False

End Sub

Then use the command button to activate the timer and read the data

Private Sub readBarcode_Click()
timer1.enabled = true
End Sub

Then for the timer

Private Sub Time1_timer()

Do
Dummy = DoEvents()
Loop until MScomm1.InbufferCount >=11 'number of bits incoming
barcode = MSCOMM1.Input 'read the data
timer1.enabled = false 'stop reading data
End Sub

MYLim

why not finding a reader that plug within Key board connector,very simple to use...
every program can use it without recode again

Cause

ASKER

Thanks bingie the first went a treat - i was over complicating it. Trying to use the oncomm event - way off!!
Thanks again

bingie

No trouble...

But why a B grade?

bingie

Cause

ASKER

Firstly, Sorry - I was unaware that the Experts that answered the questions weren't just browsers of the site .i.e. that a person browses the site and if they can answer a question they will do and grading of answers was irrelevant. They obviously spend sometime here helping people like me who are struggling through stuff ƒº
Secondly, I simply graded the question with a B because I asked the question and got the answer straight away- bingiwe obviously knew the answer and had dealt with the topic before. Other questions I have asked I have graded the answer with an A because it involved it seemed, alot of hard work/thought from the person giving the answer. I understand now that the grading should be best on whether it helped you or not and not on the difficulty of the question.

I was unaware that the grading might as must to the Experts and will be more careful in future.

I do apologize bingiwe if you were offended!

bingie

No offence taken.

It's a simple error. Basically, the amount of question points will dictate the difficulity and the grade the quality of the answer.

So if you wouldn't mind, could I have an A grade?

And if so, Please post a request in Community Support https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/ for the change. Please include this question URL.

If not, what more help can I offer to change the grade?

Syracusa

An easy way for Code128 barcode; using barcode reader on com1, os=XP, VB6

settings:
MSComm1.CommPort = 1
MSComm1.Settings = "9600,n,8,1"
MSComm1.PortOpen = True
MSComm1.RThreshold = 1
Label1.Caption = ""

Private Sub MSComm1_OnComm()
MSComm1.EOFEnable = True
barcode = MSComm1.Input
Label1.Caption = Label1.Caption & barcode '! auto EOF enabled, new data moved to next line inside Label1
End Sub