MS Comm Control/Wireless periferal

[John Morrow]

Now: I use a third party application where VBA is imbedded. A button down
event triggers the display of the form to which data from a scanner is to be
written to validate products inducted into a control system. The problem
with this is not being able to use the parent application while the form is
activated

Goal: To modify current or create a new application that will run in the
background on the client, polling the com port for data. When data is
received, relay a pass/fail bit to the control system that the correct
product requested is the one that was scanned.

Approach: I am unsure of the feasability of doing this. I have a motto,
"If you can think it, you can do it." I just need some advice on how my goal
can be achieved. Thanks in advance.

[Dick Grier]

Hi,

Now: I use a third party application where VBA is imbedded. A button down
event triggers the display of the form to which data from a scanner is to be
written to validate products inducted into a control system. The problem
with this is not being able to use the parent application while the form is
activated

Well, this is a bad design (IMO). There certainly is nothing about VBA that
would/should cause this problem, so the actual code implementation within it
is causing the trouble.

Goal: To modify current or create a new application that will run in the
background on the client, polling the com port for data. When data is
received, relay a pass/fail bit to the control system that the correct
product requested is the one that was scanned.
<<<<

Sure. This is the way to go.

You certainly CAN use MSComm (or download NETComm.ocx from my homepage), or
use any one of the many serial classes that are available online (I have one
in my book, too).

The "pass-fail" that you mention is easily implemented by creating an
event -- though there are other possibilities.

I'd have to know more about the actual mechanics involved (commands/response
structure) to offer any concrete advice.

Dick

--
Richard Grier (Microsoft Visual Basic MVP)

See www.hardandsoftware.net for contact information.

Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, 4th
Edition ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages) published July 2004. See
www.mabry.com/vbpgser4 to order.