THE DLL SERIES FOR THE SEC

This strictly optional series of DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries) offers an approach to 32-bit software development for the SEC (Shaft Encoder Counter) board.

• They are easier to deal with than the OpenFile() and DeviceIoControl() system calls.

• They integrate well with Visual Basic and Delphi.

• Programs that use the driver-based DLL work on both Windows NT and Windows 95 without modification.

• The driver-based DLL opens the driver automatically when it starts up and closes the driver when it shuts down.

• A direct I/O version is available for Windows 95. The DLL performs all the port I/O operations.

• A simulator version is available for software development.

• All the DLLs have the same interface. You can switch from the simulator version to the direct I/O version to the driver-based version without recompiling.

• They are available in both source and binary form. You may use them as-is or modify them to fit your needs.

Here are some pictorial representations of the DLL series in operation. A DLL is conceptually part of the application program calling it; note that the figures have attempted to show this close association.

• Under Windows NT, this is how the pieces fit together.






• Under Windows 95 the picture is only slightly different. Note that the DLL below is the same as the one above. The DLL detects which OS is used, and makes minor adjustments on its own.






• Under Windows 95 the direct I/O DLL is also an option. Portability is traded off for a slight performance advantage. Also, the user does not need to install the VxD.






• All Win32 platforms can use the simulator DLL. It enables software development on a machine that does not have an SEC physically installed.

From the above description one might imagine that three DLLs are provided. Actually, nine DLLs are provided, depending on whether you are doing software development in Visual Basic, Visual C++, or Borland C++/Delphi. Some compatibility issues were encountered.

Don't be alarmed, just be prepared to discard two-thirds of what you download.

The DLL series may be downloaded in source or binary form.

• Sources for the DLL series.

• Binaries already compiled and ready to use.

• Info-ZIP unzip utility. Preserve those Win32 filenames.

• Info-ZIP zip utility, the companion to unzip.

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