Chapter 6
Programming for the 802 RF Terminal
The programming support offered for the 802 RF Terminal is an ActiveX drop- in component. Every necessary function is defined - you just complete the code for each function.
The ActiveX component functions as a Server for managing data traffic to and from one or more terminals (your “terminal network”) and as an interface for your host application. There is no other software required, besides this control and your host application, to run a terminal network.
Introduction
It is important to note that creating working programs for the 802 Terminal requires significant programming skills. In order to create a working application you will not only need to be familiar with a programming language such as Visual Basic or Delphi or C++; you will need to be experienced and comfortable building real applications with one of these (or similar) programming environments.
You should be familiar with the concepts of objects, methods, event handlers, properties, scope, arrays, pointers, variable and value parameter passing, etc.
Database connectivity, data structures, and state management techniques are key to creating a program that can work with multiple terminals.
If you do not understand the references mentioned here and the implications of the pseudo code illustrations, you may not have the skills necessary to create a working application using the 802 Terminal WD802Term ActiveX programming tool.
What follows are just examples to get you started and show some basic technique. There are lots of different ways to do this and it is possible to create sophisticated transactions that intelligently instruct the terminal operator and collect complex data.
Objects, Properties, Methods, and Events
The programming model for the 802 Terminal is based on the WD802Term ActiveX component. This component is an "object" that is embedded in your application that you build using a compatible programming environment such as Visual Basic or Delphi.
The WD802Term "object" has a number of methods, event handlers, and properties that it publishes (makes available) to your program.
Properties are generally initialization and configuration settings that you set once when your application starts. Examples are ServerActive and LogFileName.