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-
- Serial++ Library
- ----------------
-
- Serial Communications Support for Borland C++
- Quality Software from Cortlandt Technologies.
-
- Copyright (c) 1991 Cortlandt Technologies. All rights reserved.
-
-
- Introduction:
- -------------
-
- Serial++ is a library of small, safe, and efficient routines
- that bring interrupt driven serial port support to your
- C++ programs compiled and linked with the Borland C++ compiler.
-
- The routines in Serial++ are as easy to use as console i/o in C,
- yet give you complete access to the registers of the 8250 UART,
- should your program require it.
-
- Implemented as C++ classes, the Serial++ library handles multiple
- ports and multiple instantiations with ease.
-
- Finally, Serial++ is protected against keyboard breaks, to insure
- that any application that uses communications can complete the
- necessary housekeeping before terminating. You can also use the
- break trapping provided with Serial++ in you own programs,
- independtly from the port support.
-
- Serial++ is linked into your Borland C++ programs just like any
- other library... there are no TSR's or assembly coding required.
-
-
- Installation:
- -------------
-
- Serial++ is contained in a self-extracting compressed file,
- named SPP.EXE. Copy this file to the directory where you plan
- to be compiling and linking your code, and run it.
-
- The file named PACKING.LST contains a list of all the files that
- are included with Serial++, and a brief description of each.
-
- Serial++ expects to find its include files, SERIAL.H and BREAK.H,
- and its library files, SPP?.LIB, in the compiler's search path.
- There are several ways to accomplish this, the easiest of which
- is to copy these files into the directory where you compile your
- source.
-
- For other approaches, see the manual on this topic.
-
-
- Documentation:
- --------------
-
- In addition to this file, you will find two other documentation files
- in this package. PACKING.LST lists all the files that make up this
- package, along with a description of each.
-
- SPPMAN.TXT is an ASCII image of the Serial++ manual, ready to print
- on any 66 lines/page printer setup. To print the manual, ready your
- printer, and then issue this command:
-
- C:>copy SPPMAN.TXT PRN:
-
- The manual contains the only complete function reference in the
- package. It is about fifty pages long.
-
-
- Getting Started:
- ----------------
-
- The easiest way to get started with Serial++ is to take a look at the
- simple demo program supplied: SPPDEMO.EXE. Source code for this
- program, along with a make file (for Borland make) are included.
-
- This program allows you to carry on a simple conversation with the
- com port of your choice, setting the port, speed, and other parameters
- from the command line. Typing SPPDEMO without any parameters will
- display this quick help message:
-
-
- Type $$$ at prompt or press Ctrl-Break to exit.
-
- Usage: [sppdemo [port [baud [databits [parity [stopbits]]]]]]
-
- port = COM1 | COM2
- baud = 2400 | 1200 | 300
- databits = 8 | 7
- parity = NONE | EVEN | ODD
- stopbits = 1 | 2
-
- Example (defaults): sppdemo COM1 1200 8 N 1
-
-
- Serial++ is Shareware:
- ----------------------
-
- Serial++ is being marketed as shareware, which means you have the
- opportunity to evaluate this product before buying it, and you may
- also distribute copies of it to others under certain conditions
- explained below.
-
- Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before
- buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you
- are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details
- -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a
- maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the
- simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with
- printed manual.
-
- Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the
- copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as
- stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like
- commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality.
- (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main
- difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically
- grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and
- sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written
- permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.
-
- Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should
- find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's
- commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs
- easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead
- is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back
- guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.
-
- Note that no capabilities or features are left out of this evaluation
- copy -- this is a complete fully functional release of Serial++.
-
-
- Registering Serial++
- --------------------
-
- If you like Serial++ and wish to continue using it after a 30-day trial
- period, you must pay the $24.95 registration fee. A registration form
- is included with this package in file REGISTER.TXT
-
- You MUST register Serial++ if you intend to distribute your own
- software that uses it. Once you have paid the one time registration
- fee, there are no other royalties or restrictions on distributing
- your own software that includes Serial++.
-
- Registration entitles you to a printed manual, complete C++ source,
- license to distribute software you build using Serial++, technical
- support by mail or via Compuserve for 1 year, and notice of
- version upgrades and new product announcements.
-
- For complete details of Serial++ license and registration information,
- please read the appropriate sections in the manual, SPPMAN.TXT.
-
-
- Distributing Serial++
- ---------------------
-
- Please distribute Serial++ in its original compressed file to
- any interested friends and colleagues, and to upload it to any BBS's
- that you use.
-
- If you distribute Serial++ via diskette, you may not charge anything
- for the program, although you may impose whatever nominal charge is
- required to pay for the disk media and handling.
-
- Anyone distributing Serial++ for any kind of remuneration must first
- contact Cortlandt Technologies at the address below for authorization.
- This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors
- recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware
- distributors, and such distributors may begin offering Serial++
- immediately (However Cortlandt Technologies must still be advised so
- that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of
- Serial++.).
-
- For complete details of the Serial++ limited distribution license
- please read the appropriate sections in the manual, SPPMAN.TXT.
-
-
- Disclaimer:
- -----------
-
- Users of Serial++ must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
- Serial++ is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties,
- expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of
- merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no
- liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from
- the use of Serial++.
-
-
- ASP:
- ----
-
- This program is produced by a member of the Association of
- Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
- shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
- shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
- memberdirectly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
- help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
- does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
- write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442
- or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman
- 70007,3536.
-
-
- And Finally...
- --------------
-
- Thank you for taking the time to evaluate Serial++ and for supporting
- the shareware concept.
-
- Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Serial++
- or require additional information.
-
- Mike Aiello
- Cortlandt Technologies
- P.O. Box 195
- Pleasantville, NY 10570
-
- Compuserve: 71066,155
- _______
- ____|__ | (R)
- --| | |-------------------
- | ____|__ | Association of
- | | |_| Shareware
- |__| o | Professionals
- -----| | |---------------------
- |___|___| MEMBER
-
-
-