ME: Beginner skill level with OH2 and am vague with scope of terms. Definite Advanced skill level with electronic circuitry, possible advanced skill level with general purpose scripting/programming/sysadmin. I just need an orientation to get me from a state of confusion (due to the ambiguity of terms chosen by OpenHAB developers) to a working first example.
SYSTEM: Headless Ubuntu server accessed mostly from offsite via ssh. Automation is accomplished substantially using Arduino, so the server is mainly a means of status and command transmission between Arduino and off-site computer.
Given my system configuration, I need help clearing the ambiguities of terms specific to my system. (Multiple synonyms in the documentation sure would have helped, especially relating the terms to the synonyms that would be commonly used at the electronics circuitry level for thing, item, and channel) I use an Arduino as, among other things, an interface to read a DHT11 temperature sensor and thereby control my furnace. I use that same Arduino, since it has has pins like a RaspPi, to control SSRs, etc. I can read and control the mode and state of any Arduino pin with always-connected USB communications, which I do for controlling 120 vac devices.
Examples of current use and hoped-for OH2 enhancement:
SITUATION 1:To query room temperature, my server sends some text commands to the Arduino, then waits for a response, parses out the temperature, and outputs that temp to STDOUT (CLI right now). I would like the text commands sent to the Arduino in response to a [remote] user’s computer browser rendering any form of any type of thermostat image. I would also like the return text (number + scale type) from said Arduino to get rendered in the browser view so the user sees the current room temperature. The Arduino controls the furnace and A/C so it receives and returns its temperature settings and state of the furnace/fan and A/C outputs. In addition to returning information, the Arduino sends info of its own accord, mostly so the furnace on/off times can be logged by the server. I’d like the thermostat image in the user’s browser to show the state of the furnace, not only when the image is first rendered, but also updated as the Arduino sends the relative info back to server.
SITUATION 2: Server sends command to Arduino to turns on outlet to coffee maker on a crontab-run schedule. Same scenario for a porch light. I’d like a [remote] user to have an icon (or mouse clickable screen region by whatever name) whereby the outlets could be remote controlled and read. Logging info does get sent to server as well.
So, in my scenarios, i hope someone can simply tell an electronics technician such as myself what the thing, item, channel, etc.? I have the Exec binding installed, do I need the String binding installed as well?
I would think the answers are simple. That will get me over the confusion I have. I can do the programming from there. THANK YOU!