Notes:

+------------------------------------------+
| ComPort Library version 2.64 |
| for Delphi 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| and C++ Builder 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| |
| by Dejan Crnila 1998-2002 |
| maintained by Lars Dybdahl 2003 |
| C++ Builder support by Paul Doland |
+------------------------------------------+
Contents
1. Author information
2. Support
3. Files in archive
4. Examples
5. Package names
6. Installing ComPort Library
7. C++ Builder notes
8. Installing help file
9. Known problems and issues

1. Author information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Name: Dejan Crnila
E-mail: dejancrn@yahoo.com
Homepage: http://www2.arnes.si/~sopecrni
Home address: Dolenja vas 111, 3312 Prebold, SLOVENIA
Year of birth: 1978
Occupation: Student of computer science at University of Ljubljana
Note:
ComPort Library has been in development more than two years with
a lot of work put in it. I have been thinking about making it
shareware, but i have decided to distribute it as freeware with
sources, because i want to contribute as much as possible to the
Delphi community on the internet. I have tried several programming
languages, but not a single one comes close to Delphi's simplicity
and power. However, i ask all ComPort Library users to send me at
least a postcard if they find the component useful. That will give
me a motivation for further development of the component. I hope
that this is not too much to ask from you.

Current maintainer
------------------
Name: Lars B. Dybdahl
E-mail: Lars@dybdahl.dk
Homepage: http://dybdahl.dk/lars/
Home address: Stokrosevej 6, DK-3310 Oelsted
Year of birth: 1971
Occupation: Freelance programmer
Note:
Dejan has allowed me to continue his work
2. Support
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any questions, suggestions, opinion or any other messages, please
visit ComPort Library Forum at http://www.delphi.com/comportlib/messages
Authors and other ComPort Library users check this forum often and you'll get
answer as quick as possible.

3. Files in archive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ReadMe.Txt - this file
Sources.zip - ComPort Library sources
Help.zip - Delphi context-sensitive help file for library
Examples.zip - Example projects for Delphi
C++Examples.zip - Example projects for C++ Builder

4. Examples
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ComExample.dpr,
ComExampleCB*.bpr - shows some basic send-recieve features
ModTest.dpr - modem test console application
MiniTerm.dpr,
MiniTermCB*.bpr - 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: ensingroel@msn.com).
BarCodeScanner.pas - TBarCodeScanner component. An example of simple
TCustomComPort descendant.

5. Package names
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Design-Time Source Run-Time Source
---------------- ---------------
Delphi 3 DsgnCPort3.dpk CPortLib3.dpk
Delphi 4 DsgnCPort4.dpk CPortLib4.dpk
Delphi 5 DsgnCPort5.dpk CPortLib5.dpk
Delphi 6 DsgnCPort6.dpk CPortLib6.dpk
Delphi 7 DsgnCPort7.dpk CPortLib7.dpk
C++ Builder 3 DsgnCPortCB3.bpk CPortLibCB3.bpk
C++ Builder 4 DsgnCPortCB4.bpk CPortLibCB4.bpk
C++ Builder 5 DsgnCPortCB5.bpk CPortLibCB5.bpk
C++ Builder 6 DsgnCPortCB6.bpk CPortLibCB6.bpk
Design-Time library Run-Time library
---------------- ----------------
Delphi 3 DsgnCPort3.dpl CPortLib3.dpl
Delphi 4 DsgnCPort4.bpl CPortLib4.bpl
Delphi 5 DsgnCPort5.bpl CPortLib5.bpl
C++ Builder 3 DsgnCPortCB3.bpl CPortLibCB3.bpl (also .lib and .bpi)
C++ Builder 4 DsgnCPortCB4.bpl CPortLibCB4.bpl (also .lib and .bpi)
C++ Builder 5 DsgnCPortCB5.bpl CPortLibCB5.bpl (also .lib and .bpi)
C++ Builder 6 DsgnCPortCB6.bpl CPortLibCB6.bpl (also .lib and .bpi)
6. 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. Set Library Path to new ComPort
folder (Tools-Environment Options-Library-Library Path).
For Delphi 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & C++ Builder 4, 5, 6:
(C++ Builder users also need to read the C++ Builder notes)
Use "File/Open" menu item in Delphi/C++ Builder 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. WinNT\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/C++ Builder.
Note: Do not save packages under Delphi/C++ Builder IDE.
For C++ Builder 3
(C++ Builder users also need to read the C++ Builder notes)
C++ Builder 3 does not have a "Package window" like the other products.
So, installation is slightly different.
Use "File/Open" menu item in Delphi/C++ Builder IDE to open
ComPort run-time package source file (see above). Compile the
package from the project menu or Ctrl-F9. Now move run-time
package library files (see above) from ComPort folder to a folder
that is accessible through the search PATH (e.g. WinNT\System32).
Now you have to install design-time package. Use File/Open menu item
to open design-time package source file (see above). Compile the
package from the project menu or Ctrl-F9. To install the package
into the IDE, go to the Component menu, "Install Packages" option.
Click the Add button. Browse to the design-time library and select
it. 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 as described above.
Note about Delphi 2:
Note: Delphi 2 is no longer suported, however, with some minor changes,
it should compile under Delphi 2 as well.
Use "Component/Install" menu item to add "CPortReg.pas" unit to the
component library. This unit registers ComPort components on
"CPortLib" page of component pallete.
7. C++ Builder Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The .hpp file C++ Builder creates for cport.pas will have a bug in it.
The first time you compile a project, you will get one or two duplicate
definitions within the EComPort exception class. It seems to be safe to
delete or comment out the duplicates.
Also, the CPortCtl.HPP may have a bug in it. If you get an error about
the following being ambiguous;
typedef TBitmap TLedBitmap;
Change it to:
typedef Graphics::TBitmap TLedBitmap;
If someone knows how to fix these more cleanly, please post what you
find to the CPort Forum so that we can incorporate your findings in
future revisions.

8. Installing help file

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Delphi/C++ Builder, go to the Help menu, customize item. You should be
presented with a tabbed notebook, "Contents" tab selected. Click the + (Add File
s)
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.

9. 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.) Two serial ports sharing the same IRQ address
Some users of Windows 95/98 have reported that application can't have
two TComPort components open simultaneouslly if serial ports share the
same IRQ address. This usually COM1/COM3 and COM2/COM4.
Solution: Not known yet.

Changes:
Version history
---------------
3.0
Version number, small changes in documentation
2.64 (18.03.2003)
Delphi 7 support
2.64 (3.10.2002)
C++ Builder 6 support
2.63 (3.9.2001)
Delphi 6 support
TComStream class
TComPort.EventThreadPriority property
EnumComPorts non-admin (WinNT/2000) bug fixed
Fixed hang up bug on port close
Other minor fixes
2.62 (1.2.2001)
Bug fix
Optimization
2.61a R2 (31.7.2000)
C++ Builder examples added
2.61a (29.6.2000)
TComTerminal.WantTab property
TComDataPacket.AddData method
Many small fixes
2.61 (11.6.2000)
TComDataPacket supports custom packet forming
TComTerminal LoadFromStream/SaveToStream methods
lsConn signal support in TComLed
Other minor changes
2.60 (1.5.2000)
TComTerminal component
WaitForEvent method in TComPort component
2.52 (30.3.2000)
C++ Builder support added by Paul Doland
Rx and Tx signal support in TComLed
2.51 (3.3.2000)
OnAfterOpen, OnAfterClose, OnBeforeClose, OnBeforeOpen events
Support for custom baud rate values
Other minor changes and fixes
2.50 (10.2.2000)
New components: TComDataPacket, TComComboBox,
TComRadioGroup and TComLed
BeginUpdate, EndUpdate methods
StoreSettings, LoadSettings methods
TComFlowControl.FlowControl property
Bug fix and code optimization
2.01 (1.11.1999)
Added EnumComPorts procedure
Port property changed to PortNum (now String type property)
2.00 (17.10.1999)
New concept of calling asynchronous operations
Some new properties, methods
Code optimization, simplification
Help file included
1.71 (27.05.1999)
A bug fix!
1.70 (28.04.1999)
New methods: SetDTR, SetRTS, SetBreak, SetXonXoff
Properties can be changed during a session
1.60 (10.04.1999)
New properties: EventChar, DiscardNull, SyncMethod
Extended Parity property
Fixed compilation problems
Other bug fixes
1.50 (13.03.1999)
Read/Write operations in asynchronous/synchronous mode
Added OnRx80Full event
Extended flow control
Added Timeouts property
1.01 (24.10.1998)
Added more signal detection functions.
Added this documentation.
Added PurgeOut function.
Fixed some minor bugs.
1.00 (29.09.1998)
Basic version of the component