documentation/pyserial_api.rst

==============
 pySerial API
==============

.. module:: serial

Classes
=======

Native ports
------------

.. class:: Serial

    .. method:: __init__(port=None, baudrate=9600, bytesize=EIGHTBITS, parity=PARITY_NONE, stopbits=STOPBITS_ONE, timeout=None, xonxoff=False, rtscts=False, write_timeout=None, dsrdtr=False, inter_byte_timeout=None)

        :param port:
            Device name or :const:`None`.

        :param int baudrate:
            Baud rate such as 9600 or 115200 etc.

        :param bytesize:
            Number of data bits. Possible values:
            :const:`FIVEBITS`, :const:`SIXBITS`, :const:`SEVENBITS`,
            :const:`EIGHTBITS`

        :param parity:
            Enable parity checking. Possible values:
            :const:`PARITY_NONE`, :const:`PARITY_EVEN`, :const:`PARITY_ODD`
            :const:`PARITY_MARK`, :const:`PARITY_SPACE`

        :param stopbits:
            Number of stop bits. Possible values:
            :const:`STOPBITS_ONE`, :const:`STOPBITS_ONE_POINT_FIVE`,
            :const:`STOPBITS_TWO`

        :param float timeout:
            Set a read timeout value.

        :param bool xonxoff:
            Enable software flow control.

        :param bool rtscts:
            Enable hardware (RTS/CTS) flow control.

        :param bool dsrdtr:
            Enable hardware (DSR/DTR) flow control.

        :param float write_timeout
            Set a write timeout value.

        :param float inter_byte_timeout
            Inter-character timeout, :const:`None` to disable (default).

        :exception ValueError:
            Will be raised when parameter are out of range, e.g. baud rate, data bits.

        :exception SerialException:
            In case the device can not be found or can not be configured.


        The port is immediately opened on object creation, when a *port* is
        given. It is not opened when *port* is :const:`None` and a successive call
        to :meth:`open` will be needed.

        *port* is a device name: depending on operating system. e.g.
        ``/dev/ttyUSB0`` on GNU/Linux or ``COM3`` on Windows.

        The parameter *baudrate* can be one of the standard values:
        50, 75, 110, 134, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800,
        9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.
        These are well supported on all platforms.

        Standard values above 115200, such as: 230400, 460800, 500000, 576000,
        921600, 1000000, 1152000, 1500000, 2000000, 2500000, 3000000, 3500000,
        4000000 also work on many platforms and devices.

        Non-standard values are also supported on some platforms (GNU/Linux, MAC
        OSX >= Tiger, Windows). Though, even on these platforms some serial
        ports may reject non-standard values.

        Possible values for the parameter *timeout*:

        - ``timeout = None``:  wait forever
        - ``timeout = 0``:     non-blocking mode (return immediately on read)
        - ``timeout = x``:     set timeout to ``x`` seconds (float allowed)

        Writes are blocking by default, unless *write_imeout* is set. For
        possible values refer to the list for *timeout* above.

        Note that enabling both flow control methods (*xonxoff* and *rtscts*)
        together may not be supported. It is common to use one of the methods
        at once, not both.

        *dsrdtr* is not supported by all platforms (silently ignored). Setting
        it to ``None`` has the effect that its state follows *rtscts*.

        Also consider using the function :func:`serial_for_url` instead of
        creating Serial instances directly.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.5
            *dsrdtr* now defaults to ``False`` (instead of *None*)

    .. method:: open()

        Open port.

    .. method:: close()

        Close port immediately.

    .. method:: __del__()

        Destructor, close port when serial port instance is freed.


    The following methods may raise :exc:`SerialException` when applied to a closed
    port.

    .. method:: read(size=1)

        :param size: Number of bytes to read.
        :return: Bytes read from the port.

        Read *size* bytes from the serial port. If a timeout is set it may
        return less characters as requested. With no timeout it will block
        until the requested number of bytes is read.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.5
            Returns an instance of :class:`bytes` when available (Python 2.6
            and newer) and :class:`str` otherwise.

    .. method:: write(data)

        :param data: Data to send.
        :return: Number of bytes written.
        :exception SerialTimeoutException:
            In case a write timeout is configured for the port and the time is
            exceeded.

        Write the string *data* to the port.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.5
            Accepts instances of :class:`bytes` and :class:`bytearray` when
            available (Python 2.6 and newer) and :class:`str` otherwise.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.5
            Write returned ``None`` in previous versions.

    .. method:: flush()

        Flush of file like objects. In this case, wait until all data is
        written.

    .. attribute:: in_waiting

        :getter: Get the number of bytes in the input buffer
        :type: int

        Return the number of bytes in the receive buffer.

        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 changed to property from ``inWaiting()``

    .. attribute:: out_waiting

        :getter: Get the number of bytes in the output buffer
        :platform: Posix
        :platform: Windows

        Return the number of bytes in the output buffer.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.7 (Posix support added)
        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 changed to property from ``outWaiting()``

    .. method:: reset_input_buffer()

        Flush input buffer, discarding all it's contents.

        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``flushInput()``

    .. method:: reset_output_buffer()

        Clear output buffer, aborting the current output and
        discarding all that is in the buffer.

        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``flushOutput()``

    .. method:: send_break(duration=0.25)

        :param duration: Time (float) to activate the BREAK condition.

        Send break condition. Timed, returns to idle state after given
        duration.


    .. attribute:: break_condition

        :getter: Get the current BREAK state
        :setter: Control the BREAK state
        :type: bool

        When set to ``True`` activate BREAK condition, else disable.
        Controls TXD. When active, no transmitting is possible.

    .. attribute:: rts

        :setter: Set the state of the RTS line
        :getter: Return the state of the RTS line
        :type: bool

        Set RTS line to specified logic level. It is possible to assign this
        value before opening the serial port, then the value is applied uppon
        :meth:`open`.

    .. attribute:: dtr

        :setter: Set the state of the DTR line
        :getter: Return the state of the DTR line
        :type: bool

        Set DTR line to specified logic level. It is possible to assign this
        value before opening the serial port, then the value is applied uppon
        :meth:`open`.

    Read-only attributes:

    .. attribute:: name

        :getter: Device name.

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    .. attribute:: cts

        :getter: Get the state of the CTS line
        :type: bool

        Return the state of the CTS line.

    .. attribute:: dsr

        :getter: Get the state of the DSR line
        :type: bool

        Return the state of the DSR line.

    .. attribute:: ri

        :getter: Get the state of the RI line
        :type: bool

        Return the state of the RI line.

    .. attribute:: cd

        :getter: Get the state of the CD line
        :type: bool

        Return the state of the CD line


    New values can be assigned to the following attributes (properties), the
    port will be reconfigured, even if it's opened at that time:


    .. attribute:: port

        Read or write port. When the port is already open, it will be closed
        and reopened with the new setting.

    .. attribute:: baudrate

        :getter: Get current baud rate
        :setter: Set new baud rate
        :type: int

        Read or write current baud rate setting.

    .. attribute:: bytesize

        :getter: Get current byte size
        :setter: Set new byte size. Possible values:
            :const:`FIVEBITS`, :const:`SIXBITS`, :const:`SEVENBITS`,
            :const:`EIGHTBITS`
        :type: int

        Read or write current data byte size setting.

    .. attribute:: parity

        :getter: Get current parity setting
        :setter: Set new parity mode. Possible values:
            :const:`PARITY_NONE`, :const:`PARITY_EVEN`, :const:`PARITY_ODD`
            :const:`PARITY_MARK`, :const:`PARITY_SPACE`

        Read or write current parity setting.

    .. attribute:: stopbits

        :getter: Get current stop bit setting
        :setter: Set new stop bit setting. Possible values:
            :const:`STOPBITS_ONE`, :const:`STOPBITS_ONE_POINT_FIVE`,
            :const:`STOPBITS_TWO`

        Read or write current stop bit width setting.

    .. attribute:: timeout

        :getter: Get current read timeout setting
        :setter: Set read timeout
        :type: float (seconds)

        Read or write current read timeout setting.

    .. attribute:: write_timeout

        :getter: Get current write timeout setting
        :setter: Set write timeout
        :type: float (seconds)

        Read or write current write timeout setting.

        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``writeTimeout``

    .. attribute:: inter_byte_timeout

        :getter: Get current inter byte timeout setting
        :setter: Disable (``None``) or enable the inter byte timeout
        :type: float or None

        Read or write current inter byte timeout setting.

        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``interCharTimeout``

    .. attribute:: xonxoff

        :getter: Get current software flow control setting
        :setter: Enable or disable software flow control
        :type: bool

        Read or write current software flow control rate setting.

    .. attribute:: rtscts

        :getter: Get current hardware flow control setting
        :setter: Enable or disable hardware flow control
        :type: bool

        Read or write current hardware flow control setting.

    .. attribute:: dsrdtr

        :getter: Get current hardware flow control setting
        :setter: Enable or disable hardware flow control
        :type: bool

        Read or write current hardware flow control setting.

    .. attribute:: rs485_mode

        :getter: Get the current RS485 settings
        :setter: Disable (``None``) or enable the RS485 settings
        :type: :class:`rs485.RS485Settings` or ``None``
        :platform: Posix (Linux, limited set of hardware)
        :platform: Windows (RTS on TX only possible)

        Attribute to configure RS485 support. When set to an instance of
        :class:`rs485.RS485Settings` and supported by OS, RTS will be active
        when data is sent and inactive otherwise (for reception). The
        :class:`rs485.RS485Settings` class provides additional settings
        supported on some platforms.

        .. versionadded:: 3.0


    The following constants are also provided:

    .. attribute:: BAUDRATES

        A list of valid baud rates. The list may be incomplete such that higher
        baud rates may be supported by the device and that values in between the
        standard baud rates are supported. (Read Only).

    .. attribute:: BYTESIZES

        A list of valid byte sizes for the device (Read Only).

    .. attribute:: PARITIES

        A list of valid parities for the device (Read Only).

    .. attribute:: STOPBITS

        A list of valid stop bit widths for the device (Read Only).


    The following methods are for compatibility with the :mod:`io` library.

    .. method:: readable()

        :return: True

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    .. method:: writable()

        :return: True

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    .. method:: seekable()

        :return: False

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    .. method:: readinto(b)

        :param b: bytearray or array instance
        :return: Number of byte read

        Read up to len(b) bytes into :class:`bytearray` *b* and return the
        number of bytes read.

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    The port settings can be read and written as dictionary.

    .. method:: get_settings()

        :return: a dictionary with current port settings.

        Get a dictionary with port settings. This is useful to backup the
        current settings so that a later point in time they can be restored
        using :meth:`apply_settings`.

        Note that control lines (RTS/DTR) are part of the settings.

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    .. method:: apply_settings(d)

        :param d: a dictionary with port settings.

        Applies a dictionary that was created by :meth:`get_settings`. Only
        changes are applied and when a key is missing it means that the setting
        stays unchanged.

        Note that control lines (RTS/DTR) are not changed.

        .. versionadded:: 2.5

    Platform specific methods.

    .. warning:: Programs using the following methods and attributes are not
                 portable to other platforms!

    .. method:: nonblocking()

        :platform: Posix

        Configure the device for nonblocking operation. This can be useful if
        the port is used with :mod:`select`. Note that :attr:`timeout` must
        also be set to ``0``

    .. method:: fileno()

        :platform: Posix
        :return: File descriptor.

        Return file descriptor number for the port that is opened by this object.
        It is useful when serial ports are used with :mod:`select`.

    .. method:: set_input_flow_control(enable)

        :platform: Posix
        :param enable: Set flow control state.

        Manually control flow - when software flow control is enabled.

        This will send XON (true) and XOFF (false) to the other device.

        .. versionadded:: 2.7 (Posix support added)
        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``flowControlOut``

    .. method:: set_output_flow_control(enable)

        :platform: Posix (HW and SW flow control)
        :platform: Windows (SW flow control only)
        :param enable: Set flow control state.

        Manually control flow of outgoing data - when hardware or software flow
        control is enabled.

        Sending will be suspended when called with ``False`` and enabled when
        called with ``True``.

        .. versionchanged:: 2.7 (renamed on Posix, function was called ``flowControl``)
        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 renamed from ``setXON``



    .. note:: The following members are deprecated and will be removed in a
              future release.

    .. attribute:: portstr

        .. deprecated:: 2.5 use :attr:`name` instead

    .. method:: inWaiting()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`in_waiting`

    .. attribute:: writeTimeout

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`write_timeout`

    .. attribute:: interCharTimeout

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`inter_byte_timeout`

    .. method:: sendBreak(duration=0.25)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`send_break`

    .. method:: flushInput()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`reset_input_buffer`

    .. method:: flushOutput()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`reset_output_buffer`

    .. method:: setBreak(level=True)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`break_condition`

    .. method:: setRTS(level=True)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`rts`

    .. method:: setDTR(level=True)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`dtr`

    .. method:: getCTS()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`cts`

    .. method:: getDSR()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`dsr`

    .. method:: getRI()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`ri`

    .. method:: getCD()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`cd`

    .. method:: getSettingsDict()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`get_settings`

    .. method:: applySettingsDict(d)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`apply_settings`

    .. method:: outWaiting()

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :attr:`out_waiting`

    .. method:: setXON(level=True)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`set_output_flow_control`

    .. method:: flowControlOut(enable)

        .. deprecated:: 3.0 see :meth:`set_input_flow_control`

    .. attribute:: rtsToggle

        :platform: Windows

        Attribute to configure RTS toggle control setting. When enabled and
        supported by OS, RTS will be active when data is available and inactive
        if no data is available.

        .. versionadded:: 2.6
        .. versionchanged:: 3.0 (removed, see :attr:`rs485_mode` instead)


Implementation detail: some attributes and functions are provided by the
class :class:`SerialBase` and some by the platform specific class and
others by the base class mentioned above.

RS485 support
-------------
The :class:`Serial` class has a :attr:`Serial.rs485_mode` attribute which allows to
enable RS485 specific support on some platforms. Currently Windows and Linux
(only a small number of devices) are supported.

:attr:`Serial.rs485_mode` needs to be set to an instance of
:class:`rs485.RS485Settings` to enable or to ``None`` to disable this feature.

Usage::

    ser = serial.Serial(...)
    ser.rs485_mode = serial.rs485.RS485Settings(...)
    ser.write(b'hello')

There is a subclass :class:`rs485.RS485` available to emulate the RS485 support
on regular serial ports.


.. class:: rs485.RS485Settings

    A class that holds RS485 specific settings which are supported on
    some platforms.

    .. versionadded:: 3.0

    .. method:: __init__(rts_level_for_tx=True, rts_level_for_rx=False, loopback=False, delay_before_tx=None, delay_before_rx=None):

        :param bool rts_level_for_tx:
            RTS level for transmission

        :param bool rts_level_for_rx:
            RTS level for reception

        :param bool loopback:
            When set to ``True`` transmitted data is also received.

        :param float delay_before_tx:
            Delay after setting RTS but before transmission starts

        :param float delay_before_rx:
            Delay after transmission ends and resetting RTS

    .. attribute:: rts_level_for_tx

            RTS level for transmission.

    .. attribute:: rts_level_for_rx

            RTS level for reception.

    .. attribute:: loopback

            When set to ``True`` transmitted data is also received.

    .. attribute:: delay_before_tx

            Delay after setting RTS but before transmission starts (seconds as float).

    .. attribute:: delay_before_rx

            Delay after transmission ends and resetting RTS (seconds as float).


.. class:: rs485.RS485

    A subclass that replaces the :meth:`Serial.write` method with one that toggles RTS
    according to the RS485 settings.

    Usage::

        ser = serial.rs485.RS485(...)
        ser.rs485_mode = serial.rs485.RS485Settings(...)
        ser.write(b'hello')

    .. warning:: This may work unreliably on some serial ports (control signals not
        synchronized or delayed compared to data). Using delays may be unreliable
        (varying times, larger than expected) as the OS may not support very fine
        grained delays (no smaller than in the order of tens of milliseconds).

    .. note:: Some implementations support this natively in the class
        :class:`Serial`. Better performance can be expected when the native version
        is used.

    .. note:: The loopback property is ignored by this implementation. The actual
        behavior depends on the used hardware.




:rfc:`2217` Network ports
-------------------------

.. warning:: This implementation is currently in an experimental state. Use
    at your own risk.

.. class:: rfc2217.Serial

    This implements a :rfc:`2217` compatible client. Port names are URLs_ in the
    form: ``rfc2217://<host>:<port>[?<option>[&<option>]]``

    This class API is compatible to :class:`Serial` with a few exceptions:

    - write_timeout is not implemented
    - The current implementation starts a thread that keeps reading from the
      (internal) socket. The thread is managed automatically by the
      :class:`rfc2217.Serial` port object on :meth:`open`/:meth:`close`.
      However it may be a problem for user applications that like to use select
      instead of threads.

    Due to the nature of the network and protocol involved there are a few
    extra points to keep in mind:

    - All operations have an additional latency time.
    - Setting control lines (RTS/CTS) needs more time.
    - Reading the status lines (DSR/DTR etc.) returns a cached value. When that
      cache is updated depends entirely on the server. The server itself may
      implement a polling at a certain rate and quick changes may be invisible.
    - The network layer also has buffers. This means that :meth:`flush`,
      :meth:`reset_input_buffer` and :meth:`reset_output_buffer` may work with
      additional delay.  Likewise :attr:`in_waiting` returns the size of the
      data arrived at the object internal buffer and excludes any bytes in the
      network buffers or any server side buffer.
    - Closing and immediately reopening the same port may fail due to time
      needed by the server to get ready again.

    Not implemented yet / Possible problems with the implementation:

    - :rfc:`2217` flow control between client and server (objects internal
      buffer may eat all your memory when never read).
    - No authentication support (servers may not prompt for a password etc.)
    - No encryption.

    Due to lack of authentication and encryption it is not suitable to use this
    client for connections across the internet and should only be used in
    controlled environments.

    .. versionadded:: 2.5


.. class:: rfc2217.PortManager

    This class provides helper functions for implementing :rfc:`2217`
    compatible servers.

    Basically, it implements everything needed for the :rfc:`2217` protocol.
    It just does not open sockets and read/write to serial ports (though it
    changes other port settings). The user of this class must take care of the
    data transmission itself. The reason for that is, that this way, this class
    supports all programming models such as threads and select.

    Usage examples can be found in the examples where two TCP/IP - serial
    converters are shown, one using threads (the single port server) and an
    other using select (the multi port server).

    .. note:: Each new client connection must create a new instance as this
              object (and the :rfc:`2217` protocol) has internal state.

    .. method:: __init__(serial_port, connection, debug_output=False)

        :param serial_port: a :class:`Serial` instance that is managed.
        :param connection: an object implementing :meth:`write`, used to write
            to the network.
        :param debug_output: enables debug messages: a :class:`logging.Logger`
            instance or None.

        Initializes the Manager and starts negotiating with client in Telnet
        and :rfc:`2217` protocol. The negotiation starts immediately so that
        the class should be instantiated in the moment the client connects.

        The *serial_port* can be controlled by :rfc:`2217` commands. This
        object will modify the port settings (baud rate etc.) and control lines
        (RTS/DTR) send BREAK etc. when the corresponding commands are found by
        the :meth:`filter` method.

        The *connection* object must implement a :meth:`write(data)` function.
        This function must ensure that *data* is written at once (no user data
        mixed in, i.e. it must be thread-safe). All data must be sent in its
        raw form (:meth:`escape` must not be used) as it is used to send Telnet
        and :rfc:`2217` control commands.

        For diagnostics of the connection or the implementation, *debug_output*
        can be set to an instance of a :class:`logging.Logger` (e.g.
        ``logging.getLogger('rfc2217.server')``). The caller should configure
        the logger using ``setLevel`` for the desired detail level of the logs.

    .. method:: escape(data)

        :param data: data to be sent over the network.
        :return: data, escaped for Telnet/:rfc:`2217`

        A generator that escapes all data to be compatible with :rfc:`2217`.
        Implementors of servers should use this function to process all data
        sent over the network.

        The function returns a generator which can be used in ``for`` loops.
        It can be converted to bytes using :func:`serial.to_bytes`.

    .. method:: filter(data)

        :param data: data read from the network, including Telnet and
            :rfc:`2217` controls.
        :return: data, free from Telnet and :rfc:`2217` controls.

        A generator that filters and processes all data related to :rfc:`2217`.
        Implementors of servers should use this function to process all data
        received from the network.

        The function returns a generator which can be used in ``for`` loops.
        It can be converted to bytes using :func:`serial.to_bytes`.

    .. method:: check_modem_lines(force_notification=False)

        :param force_notification: Set to false. Parameter is for internal use.

        This function needs to be called periodically (e.g. every second) when
        the server wants to send NOTIFY_MODEMSTATE messages. This is required
        to support the client for reading CTS/DSR/RI/CD status lines.

        The function reads the status line and issues the notifications
        automatically.

    .. versionadded:: 2.5

.. seealso::

   :rfc:`2217` - Telnet Com Port Control Option


Exceptions
==========

.. exception:: SerialException

    Base class for serial port exceptions.

    .. versionchanged:: 2.5
        Now derives from :exc:`IOError` instead of :exc:`Exception`

.. exception:: SerialTimeoutException

    Exception that is raised on write timeouts.


Constants
=========

*Parity*

.. data:: PARITY_NONE
.. data:: PARITY_EVEN
.. data:: PARITY_ODD
.. data:: PARITY_MARK
.. data:: PARITY_SPACE

*Stop bits*

.. data:: STOPBITS_ONE
.. data:: STOPBITS_ONE_POINT_FIVE
.. data:: STOPBITS_TWO

Note that 1.5 stop bits are not supported on POSIX. It will fall back to 2 stop
bits.

*Byte size*

.. data:: FIVEBITS
.. data:: SIXBITS
.. data:: SEVENBITS
.. data:: EIGHTBITS


*Others*

Default control characters (instances of :class:`bytes` for Python 3.0+) for
software flow control:

.. data:: XON
.. data:: XOFF

Module version:

.. data:: VERSION

    A string indicating the pySerial version, such as ``3.0``.

    .. versionadded:: 2.3


Module functions and attributes
===============================

.. function:: device(number)

    :param number: Port number.
    :return: String containing device name.
    :deprecated: Use device names directly.

    Convert a port number to a platform dependent device name. Unfortunately
    this does not work well for all platforms; e.g. some may miss USB-Serial
    converters and enumerate only internal serial ports.

    The conversion may be made off-line, that is, there is no guarantee that
    the returned device name really exists on the system.

    .. versionchanged:: 3.0 removed, use ``serial.tools.list_ports`` instead


.. function:: serial_for_url(url, \*args, \*\*kwargs)

    :param url: Device name, number or :ref:`URL <URLs>`
    :param do_not_open: When set to true, the serial port is not opened.
    :return: an instance of :class:`Serial` or a compatible object.

    Get a native or a :rfc:`2217` implementation of the Serial class, depending
    on port/url. This factory function is useful when an application wants
    to support both, local ports and remote ports. There is also support
    for other types, see :ref:`URL <URLs>` section below.

    The port is not opened when a keyword parameter called *do_not_open* is
    given and true, by default it is opened.

    .. versionadded:: 2.5


.. attribute:: protocol_handler_packages

    This attribute is a list of package names (strings) that is searched for
    protocol handlers.

    e.g. we want to support a URL ``foobar://``. A module
    ``my_handlers.protocol_foobar`` is provided by the user::

        serial.protocol_handler_packages.append("my_handlers")
        s = serial.serial_for_url("foobar://")

    For an URL starting with ``XY://`` is the function :func:`serial_for_url`
    attempts to import ``PACKAGE.protocol_XY`` with each candidate for
    ``PACKAGE`` from this list.

    .. versionadded:: 2.6


.. function:: to_bytes(sequence)

    :param sequence: String or list of integers
    :returns: an instance of ``bytes``

    Convert a sequence to a ``bytes`` type. This is used to write code that is
    compatible to Python 2.x and 3.x.

    In Python versions prior 3.x, ``bytes`` is a subclass of str. They convert
    ``str([17])`` to ``'[17]'`` instead of ``'\x11'`` so a simple
    ``bytes(sequence)`` doesn't work for all versions of Python.

    This function is used internally and in the unit tests.

    .. versionadded:: 2.5

.. function:: iterbytes(b)

    :param b: bytes, bytearray or memoryview
    :returns: a generator that yields bytes

    Some versions of Python (3.x) would return integers instead of bytes when
    looping over an instance of ``bytes``.  This helper function ensures that
    bytes are returned.

    .. versionadded:: 3.0


.. _URLs:

URLs
----
The function :func:`serial_for_url` accepts the following types of URLs:

- ``rfc2217://<host>:<port>[?<option>[&<option>...]]``
- ``socket://<host>:<port>[?logging={debug|info|warning|error}]``
- ``loop://[?logging={debug|info|warning|error}]``
- ``hwgrep://<regexp>``
- ``spy://port[?option[=value][&option[=value]]]``

.. versionchanged:: 3.0 Options are specified with ``?`` and ``&`` instead of ``/``

Device names are also supported, e.g.:

- ``/dev/ttyUSB0`` (Linux)
- ``COM3`` (Windows)

Future releases of pySerial might add more types. Since pySerial 2.6 it is also
possible for the user to add protocol handlers using
:attr:`protocol_handler_packages`.

``rfc2217://``
    Used to connect to :rfc:`2217` compatible servers. All serial port
    functions are supported. Implemented by :class:`rfc2217.Serial`.

    Supported options in the URL are:

    - ``ign_set_control`` does not wait for acknowledges to SET_CONTROL. This
      option can be used for non compliant servers (i.e. when getting an
      ``remote rejected value for option 'control'`` error when connecting).

    - ``poll_modem``: The client issues NOTIFY_MODEMSTATE requests when status
      lines are read (CTS/DTR/RI/CD). Without this option it relies on the server
      sending the notifications automatically (that's what the RFC suggests and
      most servers do). Enable this option when :attr:`cts` does not work as
      expected, i.e. for servers that do not send notifications.

    - ``timeout=<value>``: Change network timeout (default 3 seconds). This is
      useful when the server takes a little more time to send its answers. The
      timeout applies to the initial Telnet / :rfc:`2271` negotiation as well
      as changing port settings or control line change commands.

    - ``logging={debug|info|warning|error}``: Prints diagnostic messages (not
      useful for end users). It uses the logging module and a logger called
      ``pySerial.rfc2217`` so that the application can setup up logging
      handlers etc. It will call :meth:`logging.basicConfig` which initializes
      for output on ``sys.stderr`` (if no logging was set up already).

``socket://``
    The purpose of this connection type is that applications using pySerial can
    connect to TCP/IP to serial port converters that do not support :rfc:`2217`.

    Uses a TCP/IP socket. All serial port settings, control and status lines
    are ignored. Only data is transmitted and received.

    Supported options in the URL are:

    - ``logging={debug|info|warning|error}``: Prints diagnostic messages (not
      useful for end users). It uses the logging module and a logger called
      ``pySerial.socket`` so that the application can setup up logging handlers
      etc. It will call :meth:`logging.basicConfig` which initializes for
      output on ``sys.stderr`` (if no logging was set up already).

``loop://``
    The least useful type. It simulates a loop back connection
    (``RX<->TX``  ``RTS<->CTS``  ``DTR<->DSR``). It could be used to test
    applications or run the unit tests.

    Supported options in the URL are:

    - ``logging={debug|info|warning|error}``: Prints diagnostic messages (not
      useful for end users). It uses the logging module and a logger called
      ``pySerial.loop`` so that the application can setup up logging handlers
      etc. It will call :meth:`logging.basicConfig` which initializes for
      output on ``sys.stderr`` (if no logging was set up already).

``hwgrep://``
    This type uses :mod:`serial.tools.list_ports` to obtain a list of ports and
    searches the list for matches by a regexp (see :py:mod:`re`) that follows
    the slashes.

    Depending on the capabilities of the list_ports module on the system, it is
    possible to search for the description or hardware ID of a device, e.g. USB
    VID:PID or texts.

    Unfortunately, on some systems list_ports only lists a subset of the port
    names with no additional information. Currently, on Windows and Linux and
    OSX it should find additional information.

``spy://``
    Wrapping the native serial port, this protocol makes it possible to
    intercept the data received and transmitted as well as the access to the
    control lines, break and flush commands.

    Supported options in the URL are:

    - ``file=FILENAME`` output to given file or device instead of stderr
    - ``color`` enable ANSI escape sequences to colorize output
    - ``raw`` output the read and written data directly (default is to create a
      hex dump). In this mode, no control line and other commands are logged.
    - ``all`` also show ``in_waiting`` and empty ``read()`` calls (hidden by
      default because of high traffic).

    Example::

        import serial

        with serial.serial_for_url('spy:///dev/ttyUSB0?file=test.txt', timeout=1) as s:
            s.dtr = False
            s.write('hello world')
            s.read(20)
            s.dtr = True
            s.write(serial.to_bytes(range(256)))
            s.read(400)
            s.send_break()

        with open('test.txt') as f:
            print(f.read())

    Outputs::

        000000.002 Q-RX reset_input_buffer
        000000.002 DTR  inactive
        000000.002 TX   0000  68 65 6C 6C 6F 20 77 6F  72 6C 64                 hello world     
        000001.015 RX   0000  68 65 6C 6C 6F 20 77 6F  72 6C 64                 hello world     
        000001.015 DTR  active
        000001.015 TX   0000  00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07  08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F  ................
        000001.015 TX   0010  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17  18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F  ................
        000001.015 TX   0020  20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27  28 29 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E 2F   !"#$%&'()*+,-./
        000001.015 TX   0030  30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37  38 39 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 3F  0123456789:;<=>?
        000001.015 TX   0040  40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47  48 49 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F  @ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO
        000001.016 TX   0050  50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57  58 59 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F  PQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_
        000001.016 TX   0060  60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67  68 69 6A 6B 6C 6D 6E 6F  `abcdefghijklmno
        000001.016 TX   0070  70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77  78 79 7A 7B 7C 7D 7E 7F  pqrstuvwxyz{|}~.
        000001.016 TX   0080  80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87  88 89 8A 8B 8C 8D 8E 8F  ................
        000001.016 TX   0090  90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97  98 99 9A 9B 9C 9D 9E 9F  ................
        000001.016 TX   00A0  A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7  A8 A9 AA AB AC AD AE AF  ................
        000001.016 TX   00B0  B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7  B8 B9 BA BB BC BD BE BF  ................
        000001.016 TX   00C0  C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7  C8 C9 CA CB CC CD CE CF  ................
        000001.016 TX   00D0  D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7  D8 D9 DA DB DC DD DE DF  ................
        000001.016 TX   00E0  E0 E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7  E8 E9 EA EB EC ED EE EF  ................
        000001.016 TX   00F0  F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7  F8 F9 FA FB FC FD FE FF  ................
        000002.284 RX   0000  00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07  08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F  ................
        000002.284 RX   0010  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17  18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F  ................
        000002.284 RX   0020  20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27  28 29 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E 2F   !"#$%&'()*+,-./
        000002.284 RX   0030  30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37  38 39 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 3F  0123456789:;<=>?
        000002.284 RX   0040  40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47  48 49 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E 4F  @ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO
        000002.284 RX   0050  50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57  58 59 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F  PQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_
        000002.284 RX   0060  60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67  68 69 6A 6B 6C 6D 6E 6F  `abcdefghijklmno
        000002.284 RX   0070  70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77  78 79 7A 7B 7C 7D 7E 7F  pqrstuvwxyz{|}~.
        000002.284 RX   0080  80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87  88 89 8A 8B 8C 8D 8E 8F  ................
        000002.284 RX   0090  90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97  98 99 9A 9B 9C 9D 9E 9F  ................
        000002.284 RX   00A0  A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7  A8 A9 AA AB AC AD AE AF  ................
        000002.284 RX   00B0  B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7  B8 B9 BA BB BC BD BE BF  ................
        000002.284 RX   00C0  C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7  C8 C9 CA CB CC CD CE CF  ................
        000002.284 RX   00D0  D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7  D8 D9 DA DB DC DD DE DF  ................
        000002.284 RX   00E0  E0 E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7  E8 E9 EA EB EC ED EE EF  ................
        000002.284 RX   00F0  F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7  F8 F9 FA FB FC FD FE FF  ................
        000002.284 BRK  send_break 0.25

    .. versionadded:: 3.0



Examples:

- ``rfc2217://localhost:7000``
- ``rfc2217://localhost:7000?poll_modem``
- ``rfc2217://localhost:7000?ign_set_control&timeout=5.5``
- ``socket://localhost:7777``
- ``loop://?logging=debug``
- ``hwgrep://0451:f432`` (USB VID:PID)
- ``spy://COM54?file=log.txt``


asyncio
=======

.. warning:: This implementation is currently in an experimental state. Use
    at your own risk.

Experimental asyncio support is available for Python 3.4 and newer. The
:mod:`serial.aio` provides a :class:`asyncio.Transport`:
``SerialTransport``.


A factory function (`asyncio.coroutine`) is provided:

.. function:: create_serial_connection(loop, protocol_factory, \*args, \*\*kwargs)

    :param loop: The event handler
    :param protocol_factory: Factory function for a :class:`asyncio.Protocol`
    :param args: Passed to the :class:`serial.Serial` init function
    :param kwargs: Passed to the :class:`serial.Serial` init function
    :platform: Posix

    Get a connection making coroutine.

Example::

    class Output(asyncio.Protocol):
        def connection_made(self, transport):
            self.transport = transport
            print('port opened', transport)
            transport.serial.setRTS(0)
            transport.write(b'hello world\n')

        def data_received(self, data):
            print('data received', repr(data))
            self.transport.close()

        def connection_lost(self, exc):
            print('port closed')
            asyncio.get_event_loop().stop()

    loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
    coro = create_serial_connection(loop, Output, '/dev/ttyUSB0', baudrate=115200)
    loop.run_until_complete(coro)
    loop.run_forever()
    loop.close()


Tools
=====

serial.tools.list_ports
-----------------------
.. module:: serial.tools.list_ports
.. versionadded:: 2.6

This module can be executed to get a list of ports (``python -m
serial.tools.list_ports``). It also contains the following functions.


.. function:: comports()

    :return: an iterable.

    The function returns an iterable that yields tuples of three strings:

    - port name as it can be passed to :class:`serial.Serial` or
      :func:`serial.serial_for_url`
    - description in human readable form
    - sort of hardware ID. E.g. may contain VID:PID of USB-serial adapters.

    Items are returned in no particular order. It may make sense to sort the
    items. Also note that the reported strings are different across platforms
    and operating systems, even for the same device.

    .. note:: Support is limited to a number of operating systems. On some
              systems description and hardware ID will not be available
              (``None``).

    :platform: Posix (/dev files)
    :platform: Linux (/dev files, sysfs and lsusb)
    :platform: OSX (iokit)
    :platform: Windows (setupapi, registry)


.. function:: grep(regexp)

    :param regexp: regular expression (see stdlib :mod:`re`)
    :return: filtered sequence, see :func:`comports`.

    Search for ports using a regular expression. Port name, description and
    hardware ID are searched (case insensitive). The function returns an
    iterable that contains the same tuples that :func:`comport` generates but
    only those that match the regexp.


Command line usage

Help for ``python -m serial.tools.list_ports``::

    usage: list_ports.py [-h] [-v] [-q] [-n N] [regexp]

    Serial port enumeration

    positional arguments:
      regexp         only show ports that match this regex

    optional arguments:
      -h, --help     show this help message and exit
      -v, --verbose  show more messages
      -q, --quiet    suppress all messages
      -n N           only output the N-th entry

Examples:

- List all ports with details::

    python -m serial.tools.list_ports -v

- List the 2nd port matching a USB VID:PID pattern::

    python -m serial.tools.list_ports 1234:5678 -q -n 2


serial.tools.miniterm
---------------------
.. module:: serial.tools.miniterm
.. versionadded:: 2.6

Miniterm is now available as module instead of example.
see :ref:`miniterm` for details.