Samples

To give you an idea how easy it is to use Direct I/O we would like to show you step-by-step how to integrate Direct I/O with your own application.
Let's imagine you have to write an application named MYAPP.EXE to control a special hardware with I/O ports in the range 310-31Fh.

Enter the resources needed:
Give your application the right to access these resources:
Write your application:
- C / C++
- VisualBasic
- Delphi
- Other languages (if you want to share your solution write us and we add it to the list giving you the credits you deserve)
Note: During debugging you may have to add your development application to the Security section (see 2.) too.
Some debuggers - for example VB - execute your code under their control.

And that's all folks! As I said... Easy.

C / C++ Code:

// part of the really cool application MYAPP
HANDLE hDevice;
hDevice = CreateFile(
    "\\\\.\\DirectIo0",	                // pointer to name of the file
    GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE,       // access (read-write) mode
    FILE_SHARE_READ | FILE_SHARE_WRITE,	// share mode
    NULL,                               // pointer to security attributes
    OPEN_EXISTING,                      // how to create
    0,                                  // file attributes
    NULL);                              // handle to file with attributes to copy
if (hDevice == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)    // did we succeed?
{
    // possibly call GetLastError() to get a hint what failed
    // and terminate (it is useless to continue if we can’t connect to Direct I/O)
}

// some more processing...

while (_inp(0x310) & 0x01)    // loop while not ready
    ;
_outpw(0x312, 0x1234);    // write a secret word

VisualBasic Code:

' We have to call the Win32 API (see Direct I/O online help)
' Declare the neccessary functions and constants
Private Declare Function CreateFile Lib "KERNEL32" Alias "CreateFileA" ( _
    ByVal lpFileName As String, _
    ByVal dwDesiredAccess As Long, _
    ByVal dwShareMode As Long, _
    ByVal lpSecurityAttributes As Long, _
    ByVal dwCreationDisposition As Long, _
    ByVal dwFlagsAndAttributes As Long, _
    ByVal hTemplateFile As Long) As Long
Private Const GENERIC_READ As Long = &H80000000
Private Const GENERIC_WRITE As Long = &H40000000
Private Const FILE_SHARE_READ As Long = 1
Private Const FILE_SHARE_WRITE As Long = 2
Private Const OPEN_EXISTING As Long = 3
Private Const INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE As Long = -1

' Unfortunately (?!?) VB doesn't provide functions for hardware access.
' So we have to take a 3rd party supplement (there are many freeware libs around, 
' search the web for Win95io.zip or inpout32.zip).
' The following code is taken from Win95io:
Private Declare Sub vbOut Lib "WIN95IO.DLL" ( _
    ByVal nPort As Integer, _
    ByVal nData As Integer)
Private Declare Sub vbOutw Lib "WIN95IO.DLL" ( _
    ByVal nPort As Integer, _
    ByVal nData As Integer)
Private Declare Function vbInp Lib "WIN95IO.DLL" ( _
    ByVal nPort As Integer) As Integer
Private Declare Function vbInpw Lib "WIN95IO.DLL" ( _
    ByVal nPort As Integer) As Integer


Private Sub Form_Load()
    Dim hDevice As Long
    hDevice = CreateFile("\\.\DirectIo0", GENERIC_READ Or GENERIC_WRITE, _
        FILE_SHARE_READ Or FILE_SHARE_WRITE, 0&, OPEN_EXISTING, 0&, 0&)
    If hDevice = INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE Then
        ' ask what went wrong
        MsgBox "Unable to open driver (error code = " & Err.LastDllError & _
            "). Aborting..."
        ' terminate (it is useless to continue if we can’t connect to Direct I/O)
        End
    End If
End Sub


Private Sub Read_Click()
    Value = vbInp(Port)
End Sub


Private Sub Write_Click()
    vbOut Port, Value
End Sub

Download the support DLL for the sample above:

Win95io.zip
(3 k)
Jul 31, 1997

Note: Ignore the warnings about Windows NT. You have Direct I/O :-)

Delphi Code:

This sample has been provided by Claudio Klingler

unit directio;
interface
uses
  Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms, Dialogs, WinTypes;

type
  TForm1 = class(TForm)
    procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
  private
    { Private declarations }
  public
    { Public declarations }
  end;

var
  Form1: TForm1;

implementation

{$R *.DFM}

function PortIn(IOAddr : WORD) : WORD;
begin
    asm
        mov dx,IOAddr
        in  ax,dx
        mov result,ax
    end;
end;

procedure PortOut(IOAddr : WORD; Data : WORD);
begin
    asm
        mov  dx,IOAddr
        mov  ax,Data
        out  dx,ax
    end;
end;

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
var hDevice : HWND;
begin
    hDevice := CreateFile(
        '\\.\DirectIo0',                 // pointer to name of the file
        GENERIC_READ or GENERIC_WRITE,       // access (read-write) mode
        FILE_SHARE_READ or FILE_SHARE_WRITE, // share mode
        NIL,                               // pointer to security attributes
        OPEN_EXISTING,                      // how to create
        0,                                  // file attributes
        0);                              // handle to file with attributes to copy
    if (hDevice = INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) then    // did we succeed?
    begin
        Application.MessageBox('Error', 'error', MB_OK);
        // possibly call GetLastError() to get a hint what failed
        // and terminate (it is useless to continue if we can’t connect to Direct I/O)
    end;

    // some more processing...

    while (PortIn($0310) and $01 = $01) do
    begin
        // Loop
    end;
    PortOut($0312, $01234);    // write a secret word
end;

end.