Defining Input Operation Modes

You can define how data types are appended to, or removed from, Input buffer by selecting a mode through the General Properties page of the Input Properties window. The mode chosen can determine the type of parameters and whether an argument is created. Additionally, the mode can determine the Properties pages and edit boxes available on that page. The following Properties table summarizes how modes affect I/O Properties table operations:

Mode	Parameter Created?	Argument	Type	Comments	When to Use
ASCII to Parameter	Yes	parameter name	String, Numeric	For string, specify maximum size.	Device sends data in ASCII format.
Binary to Parameter	Yes	parameter name	Any	Using the size of operator gives a size of the argument in bytes. For String type, length is used. For example, a Word type in this mode outputs the value 257 in hex using two bytes. (byte1=01, byte2=10)	Device receives data in binary format.
ASCII to Return	No	N/A	Numeric String	Data is used as the return value of the I/O Properties table.	Only one Input operation may use this.
Binary to Return	No	N/A	Any	Data is used as the return value of the I/O Properties table.	Only one Input operation may use this.
Skip ASCII	No	N/A	Any	Verifies existence of data and then advances. If there is no data, returns an error.	To verify and ignore that the buffer contains data as required by the type.
Skip Binary	No	N/A	Any	Verifies existence of data and then advances. If there is no data, returns an error.	To verify and ignore that the buffer contains data as required by the type.
To File Parameter	Yes	parameter name	String (file name)	Specify the maximum amount of data to receive from the file. Data beyond the size are not received.	To store data to a file.
Match String	No	escape sequence within quotes or character string	String	You supply the string in the Properties window. ATEasy will find and match the string and place the pointer after it.	To verify a known string and to advance the Output buffer.
Match String Parameter Argument/ Parameter	Yes	parameter name	String	The string is entered as an argument and then passed as above.	To verify a known string and to advance the Output buffer.