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BlockDrivers for RISC OS | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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The BlockDriver distribution comes as two applications:
!SerialDev |
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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).
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!Serial |
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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:
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Additional information | ![]() |
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© Copyright Paul Reuvers
X-Ample Technology bv
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