How to learn to program parallel port in Windows ?

[ranaknight]

Hi,

I want to learn to program the parallel port in Windows. The language can be VC++ or VB. I think I will use the Win32 APIs.

But the problem is, I don't have any parallel port devices attached to my PC. Not even a printer...

Any suggestions how I may go about this ? Or, do I have to buy a device, a printer or something ?

Regards.

 

[the_risk_master]

Hi,

I have build a circuit to simulate input/output signal monitor for the LPT paralle port
try buiding this one, it has LEDs that indicates data pins status from LPT of your PC
And heres some links for some tutorials:

**broken link removed**
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=113652&page=6

 

[the_risk_master]

Hey, the DIP switches are for simulated input signalling, just in case you ask

 

[ranaknight]

thanks for the hints. the circuit diagram was especially helpful.

Regards

 

[budhy]

Try this program to study Parallel Port

 

[ranaknight]

Hi budhy,

thanks for the download.

Actually I was wanting to use the Win32 APIs, like DeviceIOControl, ReadFile and WriteFile, with the Parallel Port.

If you could please elaborate how to use your Parallel Port Manipulator to monitor the output of these API calls.

Regards