NAME

Device::ParallelPort - Parallel Port Driver for Perl

SYNOPSIS

my $port = Device::ParallelPort->new('auto:0');
$port->set_bit(3,1);
print $port->get_bit(3) . "\n";
print ord($port->get_byte(0)) . "\n";

DESCRIPTION

A parallel port driver module. This module provides an API to all parallel ports, by providing the ability to write any number of drivers. Modules are available for linux (both directly and via parport), win32 and a simple script version.

DRIVER MODULES

L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::linux> - Direct hardware access to a base address.
L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::parport> - Linux access to /dev/parport drivers
L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::script> - Run a script with parameters
L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::dummy_byte> - Pretending byte driver for testing
L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::dummy_bit> - Pretending bit driver for testing
L<Device::ParallelPort::drv::win32> - Windows 32 DLL access driver

DEVICE MODULES

L<Device::ParallelPort::Printer> - An example that can talk to a printer
L<Device::ParallelPort::JayCar> - Simple JayCar electronics latched, addressable controller

METHODS

new

CONSTRUCTOR

new ( DRIVER )

Creates a Device::ParallelPort.

METHODS

get_bit( BITNUMBER )

You can get any bit that is supported by this particular driver. Normally you can consider a printer driver having 3 bytes (that is 24 bits would you believe). Don't forget to start bits at 0. The driver will most likely croak if you ask for a bit out of range.

get_byte ( BYTENUMBER )

Bytes are some times more convenient to deal with, certainly they are in most drivers and therefore most Devices. As per get_bit most drivers only have access to 3 bytes (0 - 2).

set_bit ( BITNUMBER, VALUE )

Setting a bit is very handy method. This is the method I use above all others, in particular to turn on and off rellays.

set_byte ( BYTENUMBER, VALUE )

Bytes again. Don't forget that some devices don't allow you to write to some locations. For example the stock standard parallel controller does not allow you to write to the status entry. This is actually a ridiculous limitation as almost all parallel chips allow all three bytes to be inputs or outputs, however drivers such as linux parallel port does not allow you to write to the status byte.

get_data ( )

set_data ( VALUE )

get_control ( )

set_control ( VALUE )

get_status ( )

set_status ( VALUE )

The normal parallel port is broken up into three bytes. The first is data, second is control and third is status. Therefore for this reason these three bytes are controlled by the above methods.

LIMITATIONS

Lots... This is not a fast driver. It is designed to give you simple access to a very old device, the parallel chip. Don't, whatever you do, use this for drivers that need fast access.

BUGS

Not known yet, but hey it is new...

TODO

Refer to TODO list with package.

AUTHOR

Scott Penrose scottp@dd.com.au, http://linux.dd.com.au/

SEE ALSO

Device::ParallelPort