README.md

Serial Port Programming

& everything related

📖 What we will look into

• what programs makes the simulation on both Linux and Windows
• How to compile and what is the preferred workflow when running the 2 windows in the same computer

🎲 Programs

To start the serial communication we must simulate the com communication ports in our device using a program

• Windows
  • Virtual COM Port Driver: create virtual COM ports in a system - lasts for 14 days only (free trial)
  • Free Virtual Serial Ports - free alternative - less features
• Linux
  • Socat: sudo apt-get install socat - to install

socat -d -d pty,raw,echo=0 pty,raw,echo=0

output:

2024/02/09 19:52:51 socat[1000160] N PTY is /dev/pts/1
2024/02/09 19:52:51 socat[1000160] N PTY is /dev/pts/2
2024/02/09 19:52:51 socat[1000160] N starting data transfer loop with FDs [5,5] and [7,7]

notice: the output is pts/1 and pts/2, it may be different in your case and we will use them in the script

🔥 Fastest way to test

• open the virtual com port program and create 2 ports
• open your projects 2 times
  • in VS code, right click and run in emulator (check other compiling tutorials)
• in the first window, use the first script which compiles the code and runs and tells dosbox to use the first port
• in the second window, use the second script which compiles the code and runs and tells dosbox to use the second port and viola, you have 2 windows communicating with each other

Scripts:

:: =========================================================
:: Author: Amir Anwar
:: This is a batch file to compile and run x86 assembly code
:: =========================================================

:: Choose PORT for serial communication (COM1, COM2, OR pts/1, pts/2, ...)
serial1=directserial  realport:COM1


:: Clean files
echo "=================================="
echo "Clean files"
DEL *.MAP
DEL *.OBJ
DEL *.EXE


:: Compile
echo "=================================="
echo "Compile"
TASM *.ASM

:: LINKING (IMPORTANT)
echo "=================================="
echo "Linking"
TLINK MAIN.OBJ STRPROC.OBJ

:: YOU HAVE TO SPECIFY THE FILES MANULAAY TILL NOW
:: YOU CAN'T SAY TLINK *.OBJ
:: IF YOU FOUND ANOTHER WAY LET US KNOW

:: Run
MAIN.EXE

:: Clean files Silently you can remove this part
:: completely if you want it is not required
DEL *.MAP
DEL *.OBJ
DEL *.EXE

make 2 of this script and change the port name run different script in each window.

ps: you can test with the given files.