ZylSerialPort.NET

Quick facts

• Version: 1.87 (adds .NET 10.0 support)
• Platforms: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, 7, 8, Server 2012, 10 and 11
• Requires: .NET Framework
• Price: $89.99 for the Single Developer License
• Trial: the demo is fully functional but shows a nag dialog
• Language: written 100% in C#, using the .NET Framework and API calls

Event-driven reading on a background thread

In asynchronous mode (AutoReceive = true) the component checks the port at the interval you set, reads all available data and fires the Received event. You pick the data up from the Buffer parameter, so you don't need your own polling loop.

Complete packets with PacketSize and PacketTerminator

Set PacketSize above 0 to receive at most that many bytes per Received event. Set PacketTerminator to true and the component reads until it reaches the NewLine string, so you receive the packet in one piece. If no NewLine arrives within 60 seconds, you get the available data anyway.

Synchronous mode when you want control

With AutoReceive set to false, the Received event fires whenever new data is available. You then read it when you choose, using the various Read methods.

Automatic reconnect after an interrupted connection

If the connection drops, you can set the component to auto-reconnect when the device is available again. The vendor says it solves problems of the .NET SerialPort class such as unplugged USB devices and ObjectDisposedException.

Works with USB, IrDA and Bluetooth through virtual serial ports

These devices work when their driver redirects input to a virtual serial port, which you can check under Ports in Device Manager. If a USB device has no such driver, use a USB controller from a vendor that supplies one, such as FTDI, or a USB/RS-232 adapter.

Pros

• Fully functional demo, so you can test with your real device before buying.
• Builds are available for many targets, from .NET Framework 2.0 up to .NET 10.0, plus .NET Standard 2.0.
• Both asynchronous and synchronous reading.
• Auto-reconnect and fault handling.
• Royalty free licensing, and a source code edition is offered.
• The component has been developed since 2004, and the version history shows regular updates.

Cons

• The demo shows a nag dialog until you buy a license.
• It does not cover USB, IrDA or Bluetooth devices that lack a virtual serial port driver.
• The source code edition costs more than twice the standard license.
• The component is not a clone of the .NET SerialPort class, although the vendor says its usage is very similar, so existing code needs some adjustment.