Skip to main content
Arduino

Return to Answer

Added a second sketch and explanation.
Source Link
VE7JRO
VE7JRO
  • 2.5k
  • 19
  • 28
  • 31

To take it a step further, let's say you want to send commands that start with a single letter, then after the letter, the remaining digits, or chars have a purpose, if you want them to. For example, lets say you send the following command d50. The d could mean decrease speed, and the 50 could mean 50%, 50 steps, etc.

The following test sketch illustrates my point.

char inputBuffer[64 + 1];

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

void loop(){

  while(Serial.available() > 0){

    Serial.readBytesUntil('\n', inputBuffer, sizeof(inputBuffer));

    if(inputBuffer[0] == 'f'){
      Serial.println("Letter 'f' entered");
    }

    // Letter "r". Everything after the "r" should be digits.
    else if(inputBuffer[0] == 'r'){
      Serial.print("Letter 'r' entered\t");
      // Change the letter "r" to the digit 0 to keep atol() happy.
      inputBuffer[0] = B110000;
      Serial.print("Number entered = ");
      Serial.println(atol(inputBuffer));

      // Your code here that uses the number parsed using atol().

    }

    // Letter "s". Everything after the "s" should have a max
    // length of up to 64 chars long for a 64 + 1 char buffer.
    else if(inputBuffer[0] == 's'){

      // MAX CHARS example with a 64 byte buffer:
      // s123456789a123456789b123456789c123456789d123456789e123456789f + CR + NL
      Serial.print("Letter 's' entered\tText entered = ");

      // Print out the chars in the buffer.
      for(int i = 1; i < strlen(inputBuffer); i++){
        Serial.print(inputBuffer[i]);
      }
      Serial.println();

      // Your code here that uses the char data after the letter "s" is entered.

    }
    memset(inputBuffer, 0, sizeof(inputBuffer));
  }
}

To take it a step further, let's say you want to send commands that start with a single letter, then after the letter, the remaining digits, or chars have a purpose, if you want them to. For example, lets say you send the following command d50. The d could mean decrease speed, and the 50 could mean 50%, 50 steps, etc.

The following test sketch illustrates my point.

char inputBuffer[64 + 1];

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

void loop(){

  while(Serial.available() > 0){

    Serial.readBytesUntil('\n', inputBuffer, sizeof(inputBuffer));

    if(inputBuffer[0] == 'f'){
      Serial.println("Letter 'f' entered");
    }

    // Letter "r". Everything after the "r" should be digits.
    else if(inputBuffer[0] == 'r'){
      Serial.print("Letter 'r' entered\t");
      // Change the letter "r" to the digit 0 to keep atol() happy.
      inputBuffer[0] = B110000;
      Serial.print("Number entered = ");
      Serial.println(atol(inputBuffer));

      // Your code here that uses the number parsed using atol().

    }

    // Letter "s". Everything after the "s" should have a max
    // length of up to 64 chars long for a 64 + 1 char buffer.
    else if(inputBuffer[0] == 's'){

      // MAX CHARS example with a 64 byte buffer:
      // s123456789a123456789b123456789c123456789d123456789e123456789f + CR + NL
      Serial.print("Letter 's' entered\tText entered = ");

      // Print out the chars in the buffer.
      for(int i = 1; i < strlen(inputBuffer); i++){
        Serial.print(inputBuffer[i]);
      }
      Serial.println();

      // Your code here that uses the char data after the letter "s" is entered.

    }
    memset(inputBuffer, 0, sizeof(inputBuffer));
  }
}
Source Link
VE7JRO
VE7JRO
  • 2.5k
  • 19
  • 28
  • 31

As I read the comments, I see the project requirements are evolving. The 0 = Off command structure will severely limit what you can do, but it is a good starting point.

Regarding the first block of code starting with while (mqttClient.available()) {, then adding your one digit / char commands idea, I have this test sketch for you to try.

You don't need the String object to accomplish your goal. You may have to do something like this though input = (char)mqttClient.read() where the test sketch uses this input = Serial.read();.

char input;

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

void loop(){

  if(Serial.available() > 0){

    input = Serial.read();

    if(input == '0'){
      Serial.println("Turn Off");
    }

    else if(input == '1'){
      Serial.println("Turn On");
    }

    else if(input == '2'){
      Serial.println("Decrease Speed");
    }

    else if(input == '3'){
      Serial.println("Increase Speed");
    }
  }
}