Olin Lathrop wrote:
>> I really like using serial ports to send ASCII commands to hardware
>> modules and retrieve status in ASCII as well.
>
> Yucc.  Text commands and response are usually inconvenient for a small
> embedded system.  I usually use a binary protocol.  If I want a command 
> line
> interface to this protocol, I write a program on the PC that presents the
> command line to the user but communicates in binary to the embedded 
> system.
>
> There will have to be a parser somewhere between your text input and what
> the embedded system ultimately does.  It makes a lot more sense to put 
> this
> parser on the PC where resources for it are essentially free.  For the
> reverse direction (remote system to PC), it's even easier since the small
> system never has to create a cumbersome text command, and it therefore 
> never
> needs to be parsed.  You get the integer opcode directly on the host.

We consider this almost every time we design a new device. While what you 
say has merit, ASCII has the benefit of serving as a rudimentary user 
interface on any system where a suitable terminal emulator is available.

Vitaliy 

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