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BlockDrivers

BlockDrivers for RISC OS
BlockDrivers are supplied as an attempt to provide a common way to access serial ports from your software. Any application supporting BlockDrivers can be used with many serial devices, without the need to modify the code. In general, BlockDrivers are easier to use from a programmers point of view, than the usual SWI calls provided by the OS. If you are a programmer, please refer to the Extended BlockDriver Specification.

Altough newer versions of RISC OS support the use of DeviceFS for additional serial ports, the majority of expansion cards doesn't support it, as is the case with most of the existing software. With the introduction of the IYONIX pc by Castle Technology, some problems were introduced for which the original BlockDriver specification has no solution. This document is about Release 2.xx of the BlockDrivers.

History
This standard is based on the work of Hugo Fiennes, who introduced the concept of BlockDrivers to RISC OS. Hugo has maintained the BlockDriver specification upto Revision 14, which we will refer to in this document as release 1.xx.

Originally, the first Acorn RISC OS computers had only one serial port. Support for this port was provided in the Operating System, and there were no provisions for additional serial interfaces. Some 3rd party manufacturers have made expansion cards available with additional serial ports, but each of them uses its own proprietary software protocol to drive it. Hence the reason to use BlockDrivers.

Installation
The BlockDriver distribution comes as two applications:

!SerialDev
   This is the primary application holding the BlockDrivers. It must be 'seen' by the computer before any attempt is made to use the BlockDrivers. On RISC OS computers using the new !Boot structure, it is best placed inside the !Boot.Resources directory (i.e. the same directory that holds the !System folder).

!Serial
   This is a new application that might be useful when you are frequently using one or more serial ports. The program allows you to view all BlockDrivers known by the system and monitor all activity on the currently active ports. !Serial has the following purposes:
  1. Show detailed information about all BlockDrivers.
  2. Monitor activity on the currently active ports.
  3. Easy installation of new BlockDrivers (not yet implemented).
!Serial can be placed anywhere on your harddisc, but if you are using it frequently, you might want to put it in a common folder, such as Utils or Apps.

Additional information


Klik voor homepage © Copyright Paul Reuvers X-Ample Technology bv  support@xat.nl Last changed: Tue,11 May 2004.13:31:59