sending bytes to parallel port

[Timothy Smith]

Grant Edwards wrote:
> On 2006-07-28, Timothy Smith <timothy at open-networks.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> i've been trying to send an 8 byte string to my parallel port
>> under freebsd. the purpose is it to control a relay board. the
>> board simply responds to the output byte coming from the port.
>> eg.  00000001 will set pin 1 high and flick the relay open.
>> todate i've attempted this with merely open() on /dev/ppi0 and
>> numpy for the byte array, but i just can't seem to get it
>> working. i know the parallel port works and i know the relay
>> board works (tested it with it's own windows ultility) so it's
>> just my crappy programming keeping me from success.
>>     
>
> I'm guessing there's an implied request for help there
> somewhere.  This would be a good start:
>
>   http://www.google.com/search?q=python+parallel+port
>
> I'd particularly recommend taking a look at the pyparallel
> module found here:
>
>   http://pyserial.sourceforge.net/
>
> I've not used pyparallel, but based on my experience with
> pyserial and some of Chris Liechti's other work, I'd bet
> dollars to doughnuts it's your best option.
>   
>   
yes, i did try pyparallel however it will not install on freebsd, 
setup.py errors.

and yes i've done quite a bit of googling, i never expected it to be 
this difficult. i've done work with serial ports before. never parallel but.