How do I build a string from individual characters over BLE HC-08? - arduino-uno

Question

I am testing a BLE module (HC-08), which looks like a UART to the Arduino Uno.
This should be simple, but I have spent hours trying to build a string or char array from the response from commands sent over the software serial port.
first, here's the code:
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
int data = 0;
SoftwareSerial Blue(10, 11); // RX, TX
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
Blue.begin(9600);
Serial.println("BLE_Test started");
}
void loop() {
Blue.write("AT+VERSION?");
if (Blue.available()) {
data = Blue.read();
Serial.write(data);
}
delay(50);
}
And here's the output:
BLE_Test started
OK:SH-V1.251
OK:SH-V1.251
OK:SH-V1.251
OK:SH-V1.251
Each line ends with a CR-LF (13,10), so it looks fine on the screen.
So, here's my problem.
How can I build a string or char array out of the bytes coming from the BLE module? My goal is to make a function that simply sends a command string to the BLE module and return a string from the function. (Similar to Serial.readstring(), but SoftwareSerial has no readstring() property).
Like I said, it should be straightforward, but I am getting nowhere. Any tips would be appreciated.

Answer 1

it is readString with capital S and it is implemented in Stream which is a common base class for Serial implementations and SoftwareSerial and many other classes like LCD, EthernetClient, WiFiClient, ...

Answer 2

Doh!
That works, here's my working code:
//Send the command to the BLE module, returns with response in global inData
void getBlue(char* blueCmd) {
inData = "";
Blue.write(blueCmd);
delay(15);
while (Blue.available() > 0)
{
inData = Blue.readString();
}
}