SharpCAT/README.md

# This like many, are ideas. There may or may not be progress as inspiration and time allows.

# SharpCAT
C#, .NET Standard based CAT control library.

I am targeting .Net Standard so that the assembly may be used with .Net Core or the .Net framework.

## Development Setup

### Prerequisites
- [.NET 8.0 SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download) or later
- [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/)
- [C# Extension for VS Code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-dotnettools.csharp)

### Building and Running

This project is configured for development in Visual Studio Code with the .NET CLI.

**To build the project:**
```bash
dotnet build SharpCAT/SharpCATLib.csproj
```

**To clean the project:**
```bash
dotnet clean SharpCAT/SharpCATLib.csproj
```

**To restore packages:**
```bash
dotnet restore SharpCAT/SharpCATLib.csproj
```

**VS Code Tasks:**
The repository includes pre-configured VS Code tasks (`Ctrl+Shift+P` → "Tasks: Run Task"):
- **build** - Builds the project (default build task: `Ctrl+Shift+B`)
- **clean** - Cleans build outputs
- **restore** - Restores NuGet packages
- **publish** - Publishes the library
- **watch** - Watches for changes and rebuilds automatically

I'm starting with the FT818, I then plan on adding my ID-4100a, and TH-D74A.

If you wish to help let me know, or create a pull request. I'm not a pro developer, just a hack
that normally builds small tools for himself.

Ideas on how to do this are appreciated!

# Why?
Yes, there's Hamlib, and yes there's HamLibSharp.

https://github.com/N0NB/hamlib

https://github.com/k5jae/HamLibSharp

I don't speak C++ and PInvoke is nasty.

That being said, there's also not a pure .Net (C#) CAT control lib out there that I know of.

# What needs done?
The project is in an early very phase. The following is in no particular order, except the IRadio bit.

1. Implement an IRadio interface.

2. Settle on how the radios and commands are defined.

    JSON?
  
    Or just use a .cs file (current)?
  
3. Need to support opening / using an arbitrary number of radios.

    RigControl can do 2.
  
4. Fully support asynchronous operations.

    There's some handy events exposed by .net for data received on the Serial Port.
  
5. Add support for remote sharing of serial ports.

6. Implemtment the flrig control protocol.
  
    Use this in place of flrig if desired.

7. Maybe implement AGWPE?

8. Implement the ability to run as a service.

9. Implement CAT and CIV control.

    This will come with the first Icom radio implemented I figure.
    
    I've switched radios, so I have a Yaesu FT991a, Baofeng BF-T1, WLN KD-C1, Baofeng UV-5x3, TH-D72a, FT-2DR and an D878UV.