New data logging script

The SDI-12 USB adapter data logging script has been updated to version 1.6.0. Here are the new features:

• New configuration file format. I went from a basic format that is essentially the key strokes of the interactive inputs to a more human-readable, expandable, and future-proof dictionary-type of format.
• The serial port is remembered in the configuration file by a unique ID instead of device name such as COM3. This makes it impossible to open the wrong serial port. You can also copy your configuration files to a different OS type and expect it to still work.
• The data file name now includes the configuration file’s name, such as Liudr.cfg_20180709.csv. This makes it possible to distinguish different data that are collected using different configurations.
• You can specify a different configuration file name in command line instead of the default. This makes it possible to run multiple adapters on the same system, each running its own configuration file. You can also set up different data logging scenarios and store them in different configuration files for easy recall.
• There are also stability updates that prevent the script from quitting if, say, the sensor fails to return any valid response. Instead, the logger waits until the next data point and try again.
• The logging script can now use multiple sensing commands per sensor, such as M!, M1!, M2! etc. besides reading multiple sensors. The interactive input has changed a bit to accommodate the upgrade.
• Now if you run the script for the first time, it takes you to the interactive inputs to collect configuration parameters to save them into a configuration file. Then when you run it the second time, it automatically loads the configuration file. If you wish to make minimal changes, you can just edit the configuration file. If you want to run the interactive inputs again, delete the configuration file and run the script again.

This version is still considered “experimental” while I hunt for potential problems. You can find the script under the download section along with “changes in V1.6.0” document:

https://liudresllc.com/gadget/sdi-12-usb-adapter/

Let me know what you think!