README.rst

Simple RPC implementation for Arduino.

---

This library provides a simple way to export Arduino functions as remote procedure calls. The exported method definitions are communicated to the host, which is then able to generate an API interface.

Features:

• For each method, only one line of code is needed for exporting.
• Automatic parameter- and return type inference.
• Support for all native C types and strings.
• Support for arbitrary functions and class methods.
• Optional function and parameter naming and documentation.
• Support for PROGMEM's F() macro to reduce memory footprint.
• Support for compound data structures like Tuples, Objects (Tuples with internal structure), Vectors and arbitrary combinations of these.
• Support for reading multidimensional C arrays (e.g., int**).
• Support for different types of I/O interfaces via plugins, e.g.,
  • Bluetooth.
  • Ethernet (untested).
  • Hardware serial.
  • RS485 serial.
  • Software serial (untested).
  • USB serial.
  • WiFi.
  • Wire (untested).
• Support for using multiple interfaces at the same time.

The Arduino library is independent of any host implementation, a Python API client library is provided as a reference implementation.

Please see ReadTheDocs for the latest documentation.

Quick start

Export any function e.g., digitalRead() and digitalWrite() using the interface() function.

#include <simpleRPC.h>

void setup(void) {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop(void) {
  interface(Serial, digitalRead, "", digitalWrite, "");
}

These functions are now available on the host under names method0() and method1().

The documentation string can be used to name and describe the method.

interface(
  Serial,
  digitalRead,
    "digital_read: Read digital pin. @pin: Pin number. @return: Pin value.",
  digitalWrite,
    "digital_write: Write to a digital pin. @pin: Pin number. @value: Pin value.");

This is reflected on the host, where the methods are now named digital_read() and digital_write() and where the provided API documentation is also available. In the client reference implementation documentation, contains an example on how this works.

Further reading

Please read :doc:`usage` for more information about exporting normal functions, class member functions and documentation conventions.

If you want to create your own host library implementation for other programming languages, the section :doc:`protocol` should help you on your way.