C# TI-83+ linking library - Got a blacklink?

Post by **benryves** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 10:21 am

I'm developing a C# library ("bunch of classes", if you like) for linking with the TI-83 Plus using the blacklink. Adding support for the grey link would be (in theory) trivial, but not owning a grey link makes testing a little tricky.

The blacklink should be the easiest to support - every TI-83 Plus calculator sold here (UK) comes with one, for starters. However, apparently this is not the case in the USA - what cable do you have?
There are 3 classes - HardwareLink, SoftwareLink and TI83PlusLink. Each one needs the lower-level one to operate - so you can use a HardwareLink alone, but creating a SoftwareLink creates a HardwareLink too. The HardwareLink simply sends/receives bytes over the plain TI byte protocol. The SoftwareLink class provides functions to handle data packets - it'll wrap raw data into packets for you (calculating checksums &c) and has a few standard packets set up already (CheckAcknowledge, SendAcknowledge etc).
The TI83PlusLink class adds high level functions; GetScreenshot fills a Bitmap with a screenshot, GetDirectoryListing fills an ArrayList with variable headers.
I'm trying to make this project rock solid; all functions time out cleanly, and they all return booleans (true on success, false on failure).
Woud you find this useful?

KevinJB · Post by **KevinJB** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 11:11 am

Indubitably, but why C#? Wouldn't C++ be better put to use?

Post by **benryves** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 11:31 am

I fail to see how C++ would offer any direct advantage over C#... and I prefer C#'s syntax to C++. Hence C#.

Andy_J · Post by **Andy_J** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 11:49 am

*IF* a calculator comes with a cable over here, it's the SilverLink, but typically only 83+ Silvers come with one, and the newer USB-enabled calculators only come with an A-MiniB cable.

threefingeredguy · Post by **threefingeredguy** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 3:25 pm

I agree with Andy 100%. That way I can raise my post count.

KevinJB · Post by **KevinJB** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 8:34 pm

Well, I just thought more people used C++ over C#, making the lib more widely used. Not my expertise. Ignore me.

lecks · Post by **lecks** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 8:55 pm

i have the usb mini cable that came with my 84 silver.. is that a blacklink?

threefingeredguy · Post by **threefingeredguy** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 8:59 pm

It is black, but I think blacklink only refers to the 2.5 mm round I/O port to USB cable. You and me are gonna have to wait until they build mini-usb programs lecks.

lecks · Post by **lecks** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 9:12 pm

the cable's black. i can wait... patience is a virtue

DigiTan · Post by **DigiTan** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 10:15 pm

Let him use any language he want to. No need for high-pressure C++ salesmenship.

- TI Site:
Grey Link = Old Serial
Black Link = New Serial
USB != Serial

Andy_J · Post by **Andy_J** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 10:24 pm

*cough*.... Universal Serial Bus ...

Perhaps you should say USB != 9-pin RS-232 serial?

But the black link isn't RS-232... But it is 9-pin.

DigiTan · Post by **DigiTan** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 10:47 pm

That's my point exactly.

lecks · Post by **lecks** » Thu 20 Oct, 2005 11:25 pm

nobody's told me what the cable is that i have..

DigiTan · Post by **DigiTan** » Fri 21 Oct, 2005 1:45 am

The only USB link I know of the "silver link." It really bugs me that TI names their cables after colors.

KevinJB · Post by **KevinJB** » Fri 21 Oct, 2005 1:45 am

'Nuther topic, but it's not the black link or silver link. Shuush. Onto C# flames.

J/K

MaxCoderz

C# TI-83+ linking library - Got a blacklink?

Do you own the black serial link?

C# TI-83+ linking library - Got a blacklink?