Thread: [Hamlib-developer] Musings on backend behavior
Library to control radio transceivers and receivers
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From: Nate B. <n0...@ne...> - 2002-12-01 04:01:19
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Hi all.
I'm in an email mood tonight. :)
As I've worked on the backend library for the FT-920 a number of the
warts and quirks of the radio are exposed through the frontend library
to the application. Really, I think this is incorrect as Hamlib should
hide these things from the application.
So, what I would like to see in the API documentation is a description
of the expected behavior of the function at hand. While this is often
obvious, some things are more subtle and I would like a more defined
target to work toward.
Thus I think a firm definition of the virtual radio Hamlib presents to
the application would be a big help to authors on each side of the
frontend.
Comments? Ideas?
73, de Nate >>
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Wireless | Amateur Radio Station N0NB | "We have awakened a
Internet | n0...@ne... | sleeping giant and
Location | Bremen, Kansas USA EM19ov | have instilled in him
Amateur radio exams; ham radio; Linux info @ | a terrible resolve".
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From: Stephane F. <f8...@fr...> - 2002-12-01 21:42:46
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On Sat, Nov 30, 2002, Nate Bargmann wrote: > As I've worked on the backend library for the FT-920 a number of the > warts and quirks of the radio are exposed through the frontend library > to the application. Really, I think this is incorrect as Hamlib should > hide these things from the application. Like what? Can you give some example? > So, what I would like to see in the API documentation is a description > of the expected behavior of the function at hand. While this is often > obvious, some things are more subtle and I would like a more defined > target to work toward. I'd love such documentation exists. Unfortunately, the only thing I can do, is to reply the best I could to question when they are asked. Writing specification, as valuable as it can be, is time consuming when done alone. Any volunteer? > Thus I think a firm definition of the virtual radio Hamlib presents to > the application would be a big help to authors on each side of the > frontend. Sure a written definition is much needed! So far, it has not been done because: - lack of time and lust - developers tend to prefer to develop rather than write documentation, especially when they do this as a hobby - the design of the API is not complete yet. It has to cover all the rig combinations over there. BTW I'm still not satisfied with the vfo_t. It may look silly to document something that's going to change in the near future, waste of energy. So let's be pragmatic. Everyone is encouraged to submit comments on existing flaws,limitations,.., and how they see the API should be designed, point by point. The resulting API documentation is to be put in the doxygen comments, and also in the docbook manual. Stephane |
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From: Nate B. <n0...@ne...> - 2002-12-02 00:05:45
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* Stephane Fillod <f8...@fr...> [2002 Dec 01 17:32 -0600]:
> Like what? Can you give some example?
I tried to document these things in doc/README.ft920
In particular, if an application wants to set the VFO-B frequency on the
FT-920. Is the application expected to call rig_set_vfo first? If this
is done on the '920 then the A and B VFOs will swap places on the
display of the radio and then if rig_set_freq is called with VFOB then
what actually happens is the frequency that was shown as VFO A (main
display) will be changed and the original VFO B frequency will be
unchanged.
On the other hand, the '920 backend supports the RIG_TARGETABLE_ALL (I
can only make a guess as to the design intent of this constant so my use
is based on my assumption) constant as the VFO B can be set without VFO
swapping.
It's difficult to describe the behavior in text.
> I'd love such documentation exists. Unfortunately, the only thing I can
> do, is to reply the best I could to question when they are asked.
> Writing specification, as valuable as it can be, is time consuming when
> done alone. Any volunteer?
I realize that! I guess I could add things to rig.h and rig.c as I
learn them and you can correct my errors.
> Sure a written definition is much needed!
>
> So far, it has not been done because:
> - lack of time and lust
^^^^ Hmmmm.....
> - developers tend to prefer to develop rather than write documentation,
> especially when they do this as a hobby
Sure, I can tell you it's much more gratifying to write working code.
> - the design of the API is not complete yet. It has to cover all the rig
> combinations over there. BTW I'm still not satisfied with the vfo_t.
> It may look silly to document something that's going to change in
> the near future, waste of energy.
Okay, I've thought of some additions to the VFO constants. Perhaps
you'd like to get away from constants completely? I've refrained from
tinkering with rig.h as I think that's above my domain. :)
> So let's be pragmatic. Everyone is encouraged to submit comments on
> existing flaws,limitations,.., and how they see the API should be designed,
> point by point.
This is a good area of discussion for those using Hamlib in their
applications.
73, de Nate >>
--
Wireless | Amateur Radio Station N0NB | "We have awakened a
Internet | n0...@ne... | sleeping giant and
Location | Bremen, Kansas USA EM19ov | have instilled in him
Amateur radio exams; ham radio; Linux info @ | a terrible resolve".
http://www.qsl.net/n0nb/ | - Admiral Yamomoto
|