Merge pull request #491 from S7NetPlus/plc-status

Plc status

.github/workflows/dotnet.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://json.schemastore.org/github-workflow.json
+
+name: .NET
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch: # Allow running the workflow manually from the GitHub UI
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - 'main'       # Run the workflow when pushing to the main branch
+  pull_request:
+    branches:
+      - '*'          # Run the workflow for all pull requests
+  release:
+    types:
+      - published    # Run the workflow when a new GitHub release is published
+  
+env:
+  DOTNET_SKIP_FIRST_TIME_EXPERIENCE: 1
+  DOTNET_NOLOGO: true
+  NuGetDirectory: ${{ github.workspace}}/nuget
+
+defaults:
+  run:
+    shell: pwsh
+
+jobs:
+  create_nuget:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      with:
+        fetch-depth: 0 # Get all history to allow automatic versioning
+
+    - name: Install GitVersion
+      uses: gittools/actions/gitversion/setup@v0
+      with:
+        versionSpec: '6.x'
+        includePrerelease: true
+        preferLatestVersion: true
+    
+    - name: Determine Version
+      id:   gitversion
+      uses: gittools/actions/gitversion/execute@v0
+
+    - name: Setup .NET
+      uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v3
+
+    - run: >
+        dotnet pack
+        --configuration Release
+        /p:AssemblyVersion=${{ steps.gitversion.outputs.assemblySemVer }}
+        /p:FileVersion=${{ steps.gitversion.outputs.assemblySemFileVer }}
+        /p:InformationalVersion=${{ steps.gitversion.outputs.informationalVersion }}
+        /p:PackageVersion=${{ steps.gitversion.outputs.semVer }}
+        --output ${{ env.NuGetDirectory }}
+
+    - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
+      with:
+        name: nuget
+        if-no-files-found: error
+        retention-days: 7
+        path: |
+          ${{ env.NuGetDirectory }}/*.nupkg
+          ${{ env.NuGetDirectory }}/*.snupkg
+
+  run_test:
+    name: test-${{ matrix.os }}
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    env:
+      configuration: Release
+      artifacts: ${{ github.workspace }}/artifacts
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        os: [windows-latest, ubuntu-20.04, macos-latest]
+      fail-fast: false
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+
+      - name: Install Snap7 Linux
+        if: ${{ matrix.os == 'ubuntu-20.04' }}
+        run: |
+          sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gijzelaar/snap7
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install libsnap7-1 libsnap7-dev
+          
+      - name: Install Snap7 MacOs
+        if: ${{ matrix.os == 'macos-latest' }}
+        run: |
+          brew install snap7
+
+      - name: Setup Dotnet
+        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v3
+        with:
+          dotnet-version: |
+            6.x
+            7.x
+          
+      - name: Nuget Cache
+        uses: actions/cache@v3
+        with:
+          path: ~/.nuget/packages
+          # Look to see if there is a cache hit for the corresponding requirements file
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-nuget-${{ hashFiles('**/packages.lock.json') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-nuget
+        
+      - name: Test
+        run: dotnet test --nologo --verbosity normal --logger GitHubActions
+
+  deploy:
+    # Publish only when creating a GitHub Release
+    # https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/releasing-projects-on-github/managing-releases-in-a-repository
+    # You can update this logic if you want to manage releases differently
+    if: github.event_name == 'release'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [ create_nuget, run_test ]
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v3
+        with:
+          name: nuget
+          path: ${{ env.NuGetDirectory }}
+
+      - name: Setup .NET Core
+        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v3
+
+      # Publish all NuGet packages to NuGet.org
+      # Use --skip-duplicate to prevent errors if a package with the same version already exists.
+      # If you retry a failed workflow, already published packages will be skipped without error.
+      - name: Publish NuGet package
+        run: |
+          foreach($file in (Get-ChildItem "${{ env.NuGetDirectory }}" -Recurse -Include *.nupkg)) {
+              dotnet nuget push $file --api-key "${{ secrets.NUGET_APIKEY }}" --source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json --skip-duplicate
+          }

.github/workflows/test.yml

@@ -1,80 +0,0 @@
-name: Test
-
-on:
-  [pull_request, push]
-  
-jobs:
-
-  build_test:
-    name: test-${{ matrix.os }}-${{ matrix.test-framework }}
-    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
-    env:
-      configuration: Release
-      artifacts: ${{ github.workspace }}/artifacts
-      DOTNET_NOLOGO : 1
-    strategy:
-      matrix:
-        os: [windows-latest, ubuntu-latest, macos-latest]
-        test-framework: [netcoreapp3.1, net5.0]
-        include:
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            test-framework: netcoreapp3.1
-            installSnap7: true
-            dotnet-sdk: '3.1.x'
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            test-framework: net5.0
-            installSnap7: true
-            dotnet-sdk: '5.0.x'
-          - os: macos-latest
-            test-framework: netcoreapp3.1
-            installSnap7: true
-            dotnet-sdk: '3.1.x'
-          - os: macos-latest
-            test-framework: net5.0
-            installSnap7: true
-            dotnet-sdk: '5.0.x'
-          - os: windows-latest
-            test-framework: netcoreapp3.1
-            dotnet-sdk: '3.1.x'
-          - os: windows-latest
-            test-framework: net5.0
-            dotnet-sdk: '5.0.x'
-          - os: windows-latest
-            test-framework: net452
-            dotnet-sdk: '5.0.x'
-      fail-fast: false
-
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
-
-      - name: Install Snap7 Linux
-        if: ${{ matrix.installSnap7 && matrix.os == 'ubuntu-latest' }}
-        run: |
-          sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gijzelaar/snap7
-          sudo apt-get update
-          sudo apt-get install libsnap7-1 libsnap7-dev
-          
-      - name: Install Snap7 MacOs
-        if: ${{ matrix.installSnap7 && matrix.os == 'macos-latest' }}
-        run: |
-          brew install snap7
-
-      - name: Setup Dotnet
-        uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v1
-        with:
-          dotnet-version: ${{ matrix.dotnet-sdk }}
-          
-      - name: Nuget Cache
-        uses: actions/cache@v2
-        with:
-          path: ~/.nuget/packages
-          # Look to see if there is a cache hit for the corresponding requirements file
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-${{ matrix.test-framework }}-nuget-${{ hashFiles('**/packages.lock.json') }}
-          restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-${{ matrix.test-framework }}-nuget
-
-      - name: Restore
-        run: dotnet restore S7.Net.UnitTest
-        
-      - name: Test
-        run: dotnet test --no-restore --nologo --verbosity normal --logger GitHubActions --framework ${{ matrix.test-framework }}

GitVersion.yml

@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-assembly-informational-format: '{NuGetVersion}'
-mode: ContinuousDeployment
-branches:
-  master:
-    tag: rc
-    increment: Minor
-  feature:
-    regex: features?[/-]
-    tag: rc-{BranchName}
-    increment: Minor
-  pull-request:
-    regex: (pull|pull\-requests|pr)[/-]
-    tag: rc-pr-{BranchName}
-    increment: Minor
-  hotfix:
-    regex: hotfix(es)?[/-]
-    tag: rc
-    increment: Patch
-  develop:
-    regex: dev(elop)?(ment)?$
-    tag: b

S7.Net.UnitTest/CommunicationTests/ConnectionOpen.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
+using S7.Net.Protocol;
+
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.CommunicationTests;
+
+[TestClass]
+public class ConnectionOpen
+{
+    [TestMethod]
+    public async Task Does_Not_Throw()
+    {
+        var cs = new CommunicationSequence {
+            ConnectionOpenTemplates.ConnectionRequestConfirm,
+            ConnectionOpenTemplates.CommunicationSetup
+        };
+
+        async Task Client(int port)
+        {
+            var conn = new Plc(IPAddress.Loopback.ToString(), port, new TsapPair(new Tsap(1, 2), new Tsap(3, 4)));
+            await conn.OpenAsync();
+            conn.Close();
+        }
+
+        await Task.WhenAll(cs.Serve(out var port), Client(port));
+    }
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/CommunicationTests/ConnectionOpenTemplates.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.CommunicationTests;
+
+internal static class ConnectionOpenTemplates
+{
+    public static RequestResponsePair ConnectionRequestConfirm { get; } = new RequestResponsePair(
+        """
+            // TPKT
+            03 // Version
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 16 // Length
+
+            // CR
+            11 // Number of bytes following
+            E0 // CR / Credit
+            00 00 // Destination reference, unused
+            __ __ // Source reference, unused
+            00 // Class / Option
+
+            // Source TSAP
+            C1 // Parameter code
+            02 // Parameter length
+            TSAP_SRC_CHAN // Channel
+            TSAP_SRC_POS // Position
+
+            // Destination TSAP
+            C2 // Parameter code
+            02 // Parameter length
+            TSAP_DEST_CHAN // Channel
+            TSAP_DEST_POS // Position
+
+            // PDU Size parameter
+            C0 // Parameter code
+            01 // Parameter length
+            0A // 1024 byte PDU (2 ^ 10)
+        """,
+        """
+            // TPKT
+            03 // Version
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 0B // Length
+
+            // CC
+            06 // Length
+            D0 // CC / Credit
+            00 00 // Destination reference
+            00 00 // Source reference
+            00 // Class / Option
+        """
+    );
+
+    public static RequestResponsePair CommunicationSetup { get; } = new RequestResponsePair(
+        """
+            // TPKT
+            03 // Version
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 19 // Length
+
+            // Data header
+            02 // Length
+            F0 // Data identifier
+            80 // PDU number and end of transmission
+
+            // S7 header
+            32 // Protocol ID
+            01 // Message type job request
+            00 00 // Reserved
+            PDU1 PDU2 // PDU reference
+            00 08 // Parameter length (Communication Setup)
+            00 00 // Data length
+
+            // Communication Setup
+            F0 // Function code
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 03 // Max AMQ caller
+            00 03 // Max AMQ callee
+            03 C0 // PDU size (960)
+        """,
+        """
+            // TPKT
+            03 // Version
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 1B // Length
+
+            // Data header
+            02 // Length
+            F0 // Data identifier
+            80 // PDU number and end of transmission
+
+            // S7 header
+            32 // Protocol ID
+            03 // Message type ack data
+            00 00 // Reserved
+            PDU1 PDU2 // PDU reference
+            00 08 // Parameter length (Communication Setup)
+            00 00 // Data length
+            00 // Error class
+            00 // Error code
+
+            // Communication Setup
+            F0 // Function code
+            00 // Reserved
+            00 03 // Max AMQ caller
+            00 03 // Max AMQ callee
+            03 C0 // PDU size (960)
+        """
+    );
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/CommunicationTests/ReadPlcStatus.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
+using S7.Net.Protocol;
+
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.CommunicationTests;
+
+[TestClass]
+public class ReadPlcStatus
+{
+    [TestMethod]
+    public async Task Read_Status_Run()
+    {
+        var cs = new CommunicationSequence {
+            ConnectionOpenTemplates.ConnectionRequestConfirm,
+            ConnectionOpenTemplates.CommunicationSetup,
+            {
+                """
+                    // TPKT
+                    03 00 00 21
+
+                    // COTP
+                    02 f0 80
+
+                    // S7 SZL read
+                    32 07 00 00 PDU1 PDU2 00 08 00 08 00 01 12 04 11 44
+                    01 00 ff 09 00 04 04 24 00 00
+                """,
+                """
+                    // TPKT
+                    03 00 00 3d
+
+                    // COTP
+                    02 f0 80
+
+                    // S7 SZL response
+                    32 07 00 00 PDU1 PDU2 00 0c 00 20 00 01 12 08 12 84
+                    01 02 00 00 00 00 ff 09 00 1c 04 24 00 00 00 14
+                    00 01 51 44 ff 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 14 08
+                    20 12 05 28 34 94
+                """
+            }
+        };
+
+        async Task Client(int port)
+        {
+            var conn = new Plc(IPAddress.Loopback.ToString(), port, new TsapPair(new Tsap(1, 2), new Tsap(3, 4)));
+            await conn.OpenAsync();
+            var status = await conn.ReadStatusAsync();
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(0x08, status);
+            conn.Close();
+        }
+
+        await Task.WhenAll(cs.Serve(out var port), Client(port));
+    }
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/Framework/IsExternalInit.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+using System.ComponentModel;
+
+namespace System.Runtime.CompilerServices
+{
+    [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
+    internal record IsExternalInit;
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/Helpers/TestClass.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 
+using S7.Net.Types;
+
 namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.Helpers
 {
     class TestClass
@@ -51,5 +53,16 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.Helpers
         /// DB1.DBD16
         /// </summary>
         public ushort DWordVariable { get; set; }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// DB1.DBX20.0
+        /// </summary>
+        [S7String(S7StringType.S7WString, 10)]
+        public string WStringVariable { get; set; }
+        /// <summary>
+        /// DB1.DBX44.0
+        /// </summary>
+        [S7String(S7StringType.S7String, 10)]
+        public string StringVariable { get; set; }
     }
 }

S7.Net.UnitTest/Infrastructure/CommunicationSequence.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+using System;
+using System.Buffers;
+using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Net;
+using System.Net.Sockets;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest;
+
+internal class CommunicationSequence : IEnumerable<RequestResponsePair>
+{
+    private readonly List<RequestResponsePair> _requestResponsePairs = new List<RequestResponsePair>();
+
+    public void Add(RequestResponsePair requestResponsePair)
+    {
+        _requestResponsePairs.Add(requestResponsePair);
+    }
+
+    public void Add(string requestPattern, string responsePattern)
+    {
+        _requestResponsePairs.Add(new RequestResponsePair(requestPattern, responsePattern));
+    }
+
+    public IEnumerator<RequestResponsePair> GetEnumerator()
+    {
+        return _requestResponsePairs.GetEnumerator();
+    }
+
+    IEnumerator IEnumerable.GetEnumerator() => GetEnumerator();
+
+    public Task Serve(out int port)
+    {
+        var socket = CreateBoundListenSocket(out port);
+        socket.Listen(0);
+
+        async Task Impl()
+        {
+            await Task.Yield();
+            var socketIn = socket.Accept();
+
+            var buffer = ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(1024);
+            try
+            {
+                foreach (var pair in _requestResponsePairs)
+                {
+                    var bytesReceived = socketIn.Receive(buffer, SocketFlags.None);
+
+                    var received = buffer.Take(bytesReceived).ToArray();
+                    Console.WriteLine($"=> {BitConverter.ToString(received)}");
+
+                    var response = Responder.Respond(pair, received);
+
+                    Console.WriteLine($"<= {BitConverter.ToString(response)}");
+                    socketIn.Send(response);
+                }
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Return(buffer);
+            }
+
+            socketIn.Close();
+        }
+
+        return Impl();
+    }
+
+    private static Socket CreateBoundListenSocket(out int port)
+    {
+        var socket = new Socket(AddressFamily.InterNetwork, SocketType.Stream, ProtocolType.Tcp);
+        var endpoint = new IPEndPoint(IPAddress.Loopback, 0);
+
+        socket.Bind(endpoint);
+
+        var localEndpoint = (IPEndPoint)socket.LocalEndPoint!;
+        port = localEndpoint.Port;
+
+        return socket;
+    }
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/Infrastructure/RequestResponsePair.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest;
+
+internal record RequestResponsePair(string RequestPattern, string ResponsePattern);

S7.Net.UnitTest/Infrastructure/Responder.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.IO;
+
+namespace S7.Net.UnitTest;
+
+internal static class Responder
+{
+    private const string Comment = "//";
+    private static char[] Space = " ".ToCharArray();
+
+    public static byte[] Respond(RequestResponsePair pair, byte[] request)
+    {
+        var offset = 0;
+        var matches = new Dictionary<string, byte>();
+        var res = new List<byte>();
+        using var requestReader = new StringReader(pair.RequestPattern);
+
+        string line;
+        while ((line = requestReader.ReadLine()) != null)
+        {
+            var tokens = line.Split(Space, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
+            foreach (var token in tokens)
+            {
+                if (token.StartsWith(Comment)) break;
+
+                if (offset >= request.Length)
+                {
+                    throw new Exception("Request pattern has more data than request.");
+                }
+
+                var received = request[offset];
+
+                if (token.Length == 2 && byte.TryParse(token, NumberStyles.HexNumber, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, out var value))
+                {
+                    // Number, exact match
+                    if (value != received)
+                    {
+                        throw new Exception($"Incorrect data at offset {offset}. Expected {value:X2}, received {received:X2}.");
+                    }
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    matches[token] = received;
+                }
+
+                offset++;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (offset != request.Length) throw new Exception("Request contained more data than request pattern.");
+
+        using var responseReader = new StringReader(pair.ResponsePattern);
+        while ((line = responseReader.ReadLine()) != null)
+        {
+            var tokens = line.Split(Space, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
+            foreach (var token in tokens)
+            {
+                if (token.StartsWith(Comment)) break;
+
+                if (token.Length == 2 && byte.TryParse(token, NumberStyles.HexNumber, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, out var value))
+                {
+                    res.Add(value);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    if (!matches.TryGetValue(token, out var match))
+                    {
+                        throw new Exception($"Unmatched token '{token}' in response.");
+                    }
+
+                    res.Add(match);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return res.ToArray();
+    }
+}

S7.Net.UnitTest/S7.Net.UnitTest.csproj

@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
 <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
 
-  <PropertyGroup>
-    <TargetFrameworks>net452;netcoreapp3.1;net5.0</TargetFrameworks>
+  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(OS)' != 'Windows_NT' ">
+    <TargetFrameworks>net6.0;net7.0</TargetFrameworks>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(OS)' == 'Windows_NT' "> 
+    <TargetFrameworks>net462;net6.0;net7.0</TargetFrameworks>
+  </PropertyGroup>
 
+  <PropertyGroup>
+    <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
     <SignAssembly>true</SignAssembly>
     <AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>Properties\S7.Net.snk</AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>
     <IsPackable>false</IsPackable>

S7.Net.UnitTest/S7NetTestsAsync.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ using S7.Net.Types;
 using S7.UnitTest.Helpers;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using System.Threading;
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+
+
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+using System.Buffers;
+#endif
 
 #endregion
 
@@ -138,6 +144,33 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             CollectionAssert.AreEqual(data, readData);
         }
 
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Write/Read a large amount of data to test PDU max
+        /// </summary>
+        [TestMethod]
+        public async Task Test_Async_WriteLargeByteArrayWithMemory()
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(plc.IsConnected, "Before executing this test, the plc must be connected. Check constructor.");
+
+            var randomEngine = new Random();
+            using var dataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(8192);
+            var data = dataOwner.Memory.Slice(0, 8192);
+            var db = 2;
+            randomEngine.NextBytes(data.Span);
+
+            await plc.WriteBytesAsync(DataType.DataBlock, db, 0, data);
+
+            using var readDataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(data.Length);
+            var readData = readDataOwner.Memory.Slice(0, data.Length);
+            await plc.ReadBytesAsync(readData, DataType.DataBlock, db, 0);
+
+            CollectionAssert.AreEqual(data.ToArray(), readData.ToArray());
+        }
+
+#endif
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Read/Write a class that has the same properties of a DB with the same field in the same order
         /// </summary>
@@ -154,7 +187,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
                 IntVariable = -15000,
                 LRealVariable = -154.789,
                 RealVariable = -154.789f,
-                DWordVariable = 850
+                DWordVariable = 850,
+                WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà",
+                StringVariable = "Hallo"
             };
 
             await plc.WriteClassAsync(tc, DB2);
@@ -168,6 +203,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.LRealVariable, tc2.LRealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.RealVariable, tc2.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.DWordVariable, tc2.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc.WStringVariable, tc2.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc.StringVariable, tc2.StringVariable);
         }
 
         [TestMethod]
@@ -580,7 +617,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
                 IntVariable = -15000,
                 LRealVariable = -154.789,
                 RealVariable = -154.789f,
-                DWordVariable = 850
+                DWordVariable = 850,
+                WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà",
+                StringVariable = "Hallo"
             };
 
             await plc.WriteClassAsync(tc, DB2);
@@ -628,7 +667,10 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
                 IntVariable = -15000,
                 LRealVariable = -154.789,
                 RealVariable = -154.789f,
-                DWordVariable = 850
+                DWordVariable = 850,
+                WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà",
+                StringVariable = "Hallo"
+
             };
 
             await plc.WriteClassAsync(tc, DB2);
@@ -646,6 +688,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(Math.Round(tc2.LRealVariable, 3), Math.Round(tc2Generic.LRealVariable, 3));
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2.RealVariable, tc2Generic.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2.DWordVariable, tc2Generic.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2.WStringVariable, tc2Generic.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2.StringVariable, tc2Generic.StringVariable);
+
         }
 
         [TestMethod]
@@ -671,7 +716,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
                 IntVariable = -15000,
                 LRealVariable = -154.789,
                 RealVariable = -154.789f,
-                DWordVariable = 850
+                DWordVariable = 850,
+                WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà",
+                StringVariable = "Hallo"
             };
 
             await plc.WriteClassAsync(tc, DB2);
@@ -686,6 +733,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(Math.Round(tc2Generic.LRealVariable, 3), Math.Round(tc2GenericWithClassFactory.LRealVariable, 3));
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.RealVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.DWordVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.WStringVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.StringVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.StringVariable);
         }
 
         [TestMethod]
@@ -792,7 +841,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
                 IntVariable = -15000,
                 LRealVariable = -154.789,
                 RealVariable = -154.789f,
-                DWordVariable = 850
+                DWordVariable = 850,
+                WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà",
+                StringVariable = "Hallo"
             };
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
 
@@ -914,6 +965,31 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             }
         }
 
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public async Task Test_Async_ReadWriteBytesManyWithMemory()
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(plc.IsConnected, "Before executing this test, the plc must be connected. Check constructor.");
+
+            using var data = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(2000);
+            for (int i = 0; i < data.Memory.Length; i++)
+                data.Memory.Span[i] = (byte)(i % 256);
+
+            await plc.WriteBytesAsync(DataType.DataBlock, 2, 0, data.Memory);
+
+            using var readData = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(data.Memory.Length);
+
+            await plc.ReadBytesAsync(readData.Memory.Slice(0, data.Memory.Length), DataType.DataBlock, 2, 0);
+
+            for (int x = 0; x < data.Memory.Length; x++)
+            {
+                Assert.AreEqual(x % 256, readData.Memory.Span[x], string.Format("Bit {0} failed", x));
+            }
+        }
+
+#endif
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Write a large amount of data and test cancellation
         /// </summary>
@@ -950,6 +1026,47 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Console.WriteLine("Task was not cancelled as expected.");
         }
 
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Write a large amount of data and test cancellation
+        /// </summary>
+        [TestMethod]
+        public async Task Test_Async_WriteLargeByteArrayWithCancellationWithMemory()
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(plc.IsConnected, "Before executing this test, the plc must be connected. Check constructor.");
+
+            var cancellationSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
+            var cancellationToken = cancellationSource.Token;
+
+            using var dataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(8192);
+            var data = dataOwner.Memory.Slice(0, 8192);
+            var randomEngine = new Random();
+            var db = 2;
+            randomEngine.NextBytes(data.Span);
+
+            cancellationSource.CancelAfter(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(5));
+            try
+            {
+                await plc.WriteBytesAsync(DataType.DataBlock, db, 0, data, cancellationToken);
+            }
+            catch (OperationCanceledException)
+            {
+                // everything is good, that is the exception we expect
+                Console.WriteLine("Operation was cancelled as expected.");
+                return;
+            }
+            catch (Exception e)
+            {
+                Assert.Fail($"Wrong exception type received. Expected {typeof(OperationCanceledException)}, received {e.GetType()}.");
+            }
+
+            // Depending on how tests run, this can also just succeed without getting cancelled at all. Do nothing in this case.
+            Console.WriteLine("Task was not cancelled as expected.");
+        }
+
+#endif
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Write a large amount of data and test cancellation
         /// </summary>
@@ -982,6 +1099,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             };
             await plc.ReadMultipleVarsAsync(dataItems, CancellationToken.None);
         }
+
         #endregion
     }
 }

S7.Net.UnitTest/S7NetTestsSync.cs

@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting;
 using S7.Net.UnitTest.Helpers;
 using S7.Net.Types;
 using S7.UnitTest.Helpers;
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+using System.Buffers;
+#endif
 
 #endregion
 
@@ -183,6 +188,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             tc.LRealVariable = -154.789;
             tc.RealVariable = -154.789f;
             tc.DWordVariable = 850;
+            tc.WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà";
+            tc.StringVariable = "Hallo";
+
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
             TestClass tc2 = new TestClass();
             // Values that are read from a class are stored inside the class itself, that is passed by reference
@@ -194,6 +202,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.LRealVariable, tc2.LRealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.RealVariable, tc2.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc.DWordVariable, tc2.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc.WStringVariable, tc2.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc.StringVariable, tc2.StringVariable);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -577,6 +587,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             tc.LRealVariable = -154.789;
             tc.RealVariable = -154.789f;
             tc.DWordVariable = 850;
+            tc.WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà";
+            tc.StringVariable = "Hallo";
 
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
 
@@ -622,6 +634,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             tc.LRealVariable = -154.789;
             tc.RealVariable = -154.789f;
             tc.DWordVariable = 850;
+            tc.WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà";
+            tc.StringVariable = "Hallo";
 
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
 
@@ -637,6 +651,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(Math.Round(tc2.LRealVariable, 3), Math.Round(tc2Generic.LRealVariable, 3));
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2.RealVariable, tc2Generic.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2.DWordVariable, tc2Generic.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2.WStringVariable, tc2Generic.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2.StringVariable, tc2Generic.StringVariable);
         }
 
         [TestMethod, ExpectedException(typeof(PlcException))]
@@ -665,6 +681,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             tc.LRealVariable = -154.789;
             tc.RealVariable = -154.789f;
             tc.DWordVariable = 850;
+            tc.WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà";
+            tc.StringVariable = "Hallo";
 
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
 
@@ -679,6 +697,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(Math.Round(tc2Generic.LRealVariable, 3), Math.Round(tc2GenericWithClassFactory.LRealVariable, 3));
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.RealVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.RealVariable);
             Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.DWordVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.DWordVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.WStringVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.WStringVariable);
+            Assert.AreEqual(tc2Generic.StringVariable, tc2GenericWithClassFactory.StringVariable);
         }
 
         [TestMethod, ExpectedException(typeof(PlcException))]
@@ -762,6 +782,33 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             CollectionAssert.AreEqual(data, readData);
         }
 
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Write/Read a large amount of data to test PDU max
+        /// </summary>
+        [TestMethod]
+        public void T33_WriteLargeByteArrayWithSpan()
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(plc.IsConnected, "Before executing this test, the plc must be connected. Check constructor.");
+
+            var randomEngine = new Random();
+            using var dataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(8192);
+            var data = dataOwner.Memory.Span.Slice(0, 8192);
+            var db = 2;
+            randomEngine.NextBytes(data);
+
+            plc.WriteBytes(DataType.DataBlock, db, 0, data);
+
+            using var readDataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(data.Length);
+            var readData = readDataOwner.Memory.Span.Slice(0, data.Length);
+            plc.ReadBytes(readData, DataType.DataBlock, db, 0);
+
+            CollectionAssert.AreEqual(data.ToArray(), readData.ToArray());
+        }
+
+#endif
+
         [TestMethod, ExpectedException(typeof(PlcException))]
         public void T18_ReadStructThrowsIfPlcIsNotConnected()
         {
@@ -837,6 +884,9 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             tc.LRealVariable = -154.789;
             tc.RealVariable = -154.789f;
             tc.DWordVariable = 850;
+            tc.WStringVariable = "ÄÜÉÊéà";
+            tc.StringVariable = "Hallo";
+
             plc.WriteClass(tc, DB2);
 
             int expectedReadBytes = (int)Types.Class.GetClassSize(tc);
@@ -987,6 +1037,32 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             }
         }
 
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+
+        [TestMethod]
+        public void T27_ReadWriteBytesManyWithSpan()
+        {
+            Assert.IsTrue(plc.IsConnected, "Before executing this test, the plc must be connected. Check constructor.");
+
+            using var dataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(2000);
+            var data = dataOwner.Memory.Span;
+            for (int i = 0; i < data.Length; i++)
+                data[i] = (byte)(i % 256);
+
+            plc.WriteBytes(DataType.DataBlock, 2, 0, data);
+
+            using var readDataOwner = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(data.Length);
+            var readData = readDataOwner.Memory.Span.Slice(0, data.Length);
+            plc.ReadBytes(readData, DataType.DataBlock, 2, 0);
+
+            for (int x = 0; x < data.Length; x++)
+            {
+                Assert.AreEqual(x % 256, readData[x], $"Mismatch at offset {x}, expected {x % 256}, actual {readData[x]}.");
+            }
+        }
+
+#endif
+
         [TestMethod]
         public void T28_ReadClass_DoesntCrash_When_ReadingLessThan1Byte()
         {
@@ -1041,7 +1117,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest
             Assert.AreEqual(test_value, test_value2, "Compare DateTimeLong Write/Read");
         }
 
-        #endregion
+#endregion
 
         #region Private methods
 

S7.Net.UnitTest/TypeTests/ClassTests.cs

@@ -17,6 +17,19 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.TypeTests
             Assert.AreEqual(Class.GetClassSize(new TestClassUnevenSize(3, 17)), 10);
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Ensure Uint32 is correctly parsed through ReadClass functions. Adresses issue https://github.com/S7NetPlus/s7netplus/issues/414
+        /// </summary>
+        [TestMethod]
+        public void TestUint32Read()
+        {
+            var result = new TestUint32();
+            var data = new byte[4] { 0, 0, 0, 5 };
+            var bytesRead = Class.FromBytes(result, data);
+            Assert.AreEqual(bytesRead, data.Length);
+            Assert.AreEqual(5u, result.Value1);
+        }
+
         private class TestClassUnevenSize
         {
             public bool Bool { get; set; }
@@ -29,5 +42,10 @@ namespace S7.Net.UnitTest.TypeTests
                 Bools = new bool[bitCount];
             }
         }
+
+        private class TestUint32
+        {
+            public uint Value1 { get; set; }
+        }
     }
 }

S7.Net/COTP.cs

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
             /// See: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc905
             /// </summary>
             /// <param name="stream">The socket to read from</param>
+            /// <param name="cancellationToken">A cancellation token that can be used to cancel the asynchronous operation.</param>
             /// <returns>COTP DPDU instance</returns>
             public static async Task<TPDU> ReadAsync(Stream stream, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
             {
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
             /// See: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc905
             /// </summary>
             /// <param name="stream">The stream to read from</param>
+            /// <param name="cancellationToken">A cancellation token that can be used to cancel the asynchronous operation.</param>
             /// <returns>Data in TSDU</returns>
             public static async Task<byte[]> ReadAsync(Stream stream, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
             {

S7.Net/Helper/MemoryStreamExtension.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
-
+using System;
+using System.Buffers;
+using System.IO;
+
 namespace S7.Net.Helper
 {
+#if !NET5_0_OR_GREATER
     internal static class MemoryStreamExtension
     {
         /// <summary>
@@ -10,9 +14,25 @@ namespace S7.Net.Helper
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="stream"></param>
         /// <param name="value"></param>
-        public static void WriteByteArray(this System.IO.MemoryStream stream, byte[] value)
+        public static void Write(this MemoryStream stream, byte[] value)
         {
             stream.Write(value, 0, value.Length);
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Helper function to write the whole content of the given byte span to a memory stream.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="stream"></param>
+        /// <param name="value"></param>
+        public static void Write(this MemoryStream stream, ReadOnlySpan<byte> value)
+        {
+            byte[] buffer = ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(value.Length);
+
+            value.CopyTo(buffer);
+            stream.Write(buffer, 0, value.Length);
+
+            ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Return(buffer);
+        }
     }
+#endif
 }

S7.Net/PLCExceptions.cs

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ using System.Runtime.Serialization;
 
 namespace S7.Net
 {
-    internal class WrongNumberOfBytesException : Exception
+    public class WrongNumberOfBytesException : Exception
     {
         public WrongNumberOfBytesException() : base()
         {
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         #endif
     }
 
-    internal class InvalidAddressException : Exception
+    public class InvalidAddressException : Exception
     {
         public InvalidAddressException() : base ()
         {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         #endif
     }
 
-    internal class InvalidVariableTypeException : Exception
+    public class InvalidVariableTypeException : Exception
     {
         public InvalidVariableTypeException() : base()
         {
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         #endif
     }
 
-    internal class TPKTInvalidException : Exception
+    public class TPKTInvalidException : Exception
     {
         public TPKTInvalidException() : base()
         {
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         #endif
     }
 
-    internal class TPDUInvalidException : Exception
+    public class TPDUInvalidException : Exception
     {
         public TPDUInvalidException() : base()
         {

S7.Net/PLCHelpers.cs

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 using S7.Net.Helper;
 using S7.Net.Protocol.S7;
 using S7.Net.Types;
-using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using DateTime = S7.Net.Types.DateTime;
@@ -10,29 +9,97 @@ namespace S7.Net
 {
     public partial class Plc
     {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Creates the header to read bytes from the PLC
-        /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="amount"></param>
-        /// <returns></returns>
-        private static void BuildHeaderPackage(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, int amount = 1)
+        private static void WriteTpktHeader(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, int length)
         {
-            //header size = 19 bytes
-            stream.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x03, 0x00 });
-            //complete package size
-            stream.WriteByteArray(Types.Int.ToByteArray((short)(19 + (12 * amount))));
-            stream.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x02, 0xf0, 0x80, 0x32, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00 });
-            //data part size
-            stream.WriteByteArray(Types.Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(2 + (amount * 12))));
-            stream.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x00, 0x00, 0x04 });
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x03, 0x00 });
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort) length));
+        }
+
+        private static void WriteDataHeader(System.IO.MemoryStream stream)
+        {
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x02, 0xf0, 0x80 });
+        }
+
+        private static void WriteS7Header(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, byte messageType, int parameterLength, int dataLength)
+        {
+            stream.WriteByte(0x32); // S7 protocol ID
+            stream.WriteByte(messageType); // Message type
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x00, 0x00 }); // Reserved
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x00, 0x00 }); // PDU ref
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort) parameterLength));
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort) dataLength));
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Creates the header to read bytes from the PLC.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="stream">The stream to write to.</param>
+        /// <param name="amount">The number of items to read.</param>
+        private static void WriteReadHeader(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, int amount = 1)
+        {
+            // Header size 19, 12 bytes per item
+            WriteTpktHeader(stream, 19 + 12 * amount);
+            WriteDataHeader(stream);
+            WriteS7Header(stream, 0x01, 2 + 12 * amount, 0);
+            // Function code: read request
+            stream.WriteByte(0x04);
             //amount of requests
             stream.WriteByte((byte)amount);
         }
 
+        private static void WriteUserDataHeader(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, int parameterLength, int dataLength)
+        {
+            const byte s7MessageTypeUserData = 0x07;
+
+            WriteTpktHeader(stream, 17 + parameterLength + dataLength);
+            WriteDataHeader(stream);
+            WriteS7Header(stream, s7MessageTypeUserData, parameterLength, dataLength);
+        }
+
+        private static void WriteSzlReadRequest(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, ushort szlId, ushort szlIndex)
+        {
+            WriteUserDataHeader(stream, 8, 8);
+
+            // Parameter
+            const byte szlMethodRequest = 0x11;
+            const byte szlTypeRequest = 0b100;
+            const byte szlFunctionGroupCpuFunctions = 0b100;
+            const byte subFunctionReadSzl = 0x01;
+
+            // Parameter head
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x00, 0x01, 0x12 });
+            // Parameter length
+            stream.WriteByte(0x04);
+            // Method
+            stream.WriteByte(szlMethodRequest);
+            // Type / function group
+            stream.WriteByte(szlTypeRequest << 4 | szlFunctionGroupCpuFunctions);
+            // Subfunction
+            stream.WriteByte(subFunctionReadSzl);
+            // Sequence number
+            stream.WriteByte(0);
+
+            // Data
+            const byte success = 0xff;
+            const byte transportSizeOctetString = 0x09;
+
+            // Return code
+            stream.WriteByte(success);
+            // Transport size
+            stream.WriteByte(transportSizeOctetString);
+            // Length
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray(4));
+            // SZL-ID
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray(szlId));
+            // SZL-Index
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray(szlIndex));
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Create the bytes-package to request data from the PLC. You have to specify the memory type (dataType),
         /// the address of the memory, the address of the byte and the bytes count.
         /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="stream">The stream to write the read data request to.</param>
         /// <param name="dataType">MemoryType (DB, Timer, Counter, etc.)</param>
         /// <param name="db">Address of the memory to be read</param>
         /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start address of the byte</param>
@@ -41,7 +108,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         private static void BuildReadDataRequestPackage(System.IO.MemoryStream stream, DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, int count = 1)
         {
             //single data req = 12
-            stream.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10 });
+            stream.Write(new byte[] { 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10 });
             switch (dataType)
             {
                 case DataType.Timer:
@@ -53,8 +120,8 @@ namespace S7.Net
                     break;
             }
 
-            stream.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(count)));
-            stream.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(count)));
+            stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
             stream.WriteByte((byte)dataType);
             var overflow = (int)(startByteAdr * 8 / 0xffffU); // handles words with address bigger than 8191
             stream.WriteByte((byte)overflow);
@@ -62,10 +129,10 @@ namespace S7.Net
             {
                 case DataType.Timer:
                 case DataType.Counter:
-                    stream.WriteByteArray(Types.Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr)));
+                    stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr)));
                     break;
                 default:
-                    stream.WriteByteArray(Types.Word.ToByteArray((ushort)((startByteAdr) * 8)));
+                    stream.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)((startByteAdr) * 8)));
                     break;
             }
         }
@@ -253,7 +320,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
             int packageSize = 19 + (dataItems.Count * 12);
             var package = new System.IO.MemoryStream(packageSize);
 
-            BuildHeaderPackage(package, dataItems.Count);
+            WriteReadHeader(package, dataItems.Count);
 
             foreach (var dataItem in dataItems)
             {
@@ -262,5 +329,15 @@ namespace S7.Net
 
             return package.ToArray();
         }
+
+        private static byte[] BuildSzlReadRequestPackage(ushort szlId, ushort szlIndex)
+        {
+            var stream = new System.IO.MemoryStream();
+            
+            WriteSzlReadRequest(stream, szlId, szlIndex);
+            stream.SetLength(stream.Position);
+
+            return stream.ToArray();
+        }
     }
 }

S7.Net/PlcAsynchronous.cs

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// <returns>A task that represents the asynchronous open operation.</returns>
         public async Task OpenAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         {
-            var stream = await ConnectAsync().ConfigureAwait(false);
+            var stream = await ConnectAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
             try
             {
                 await queue.Enqueue(async () =>
@@ -44,11 +44,16 @@ namespace S7.Net
             }
         }
 
-        private async Task<NetworkStream> ConnectAsync()
+        private async Task<NetworkStream> ConnectAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
             tcpClient = new TcpClient();
             ConfigureConnection();
+
+#if NET5_0_OR_GREATER
+            await tcpClient.ConnectAsync(IP, Port, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+#else
             await tcpClient.ConnectAsync(IP, Port).ConfigureAwait(false);
+#endif
             return tcpClient.GetStream();
         }
 
@@ -90,7 +95,6 @@ namespace S7.Net
             MaxPDUSize = s7data[18] * 256 + s7data[19];
         }
 
-
         /// <summary>
         /// Reads a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
         /// If the read was not successful, check LastErrorCode or LastErrorString.
@@ -105,16 +109,34 @@ namespace S7.Net
         public async Task<byte[]> ReadBytesAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, int count, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         {
             var resultBytes = new byte[count];
+
+            await ReadBytesAsync(resultBytes, dataType, db, startByteAdr, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            return resultBytes;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Reads a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
+        /// If the read was not successful, check LastErrorCode or LastErrorString.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="buffer">Buffer to receive the read bytes. The <see cref="Memory{T}.Length"/> determines the number of bytes to read.</param>
+        /// <param name="dataType">Data type of the memory area, can be DB, Timer, Counter, Merker(Memory), Input, Output.</param>
+        /// <param name="db">Address of the memory area (if you want to read DB1, this is set to 1). This must be set also for other memory area types: counters, timers,etc.</param>
+        /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to read DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">The token to monitor for cancellation requests. The default value is None.
+        /// Please note that cancellation is advisory/cooperative and will not lead to immediate cancellation in all cases.</param>
+        /// <returns>Returns the bytes in an array</returns>
+        public async Task ReadBytesAsync(Memory<byte> buffer, DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
             int index = 0;
-            while (count > 0)
+            while (buffer.Length > 0)
             {
                 //This works up to MaxPDUSize-1 on SNAP7. But not MaxPDUSize-0.
-                var maxToRead = Math.Min(count, MaxPDUSize - 18);
-                await ReadBytesWithSingleRequestAsync(dataType, db, startByteAdr + index, resultBytes, index, maxToRead, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
-                count -= maxToRead;
+                var maxToRead = Math.Min(buffer.Length, MaxPDUSize - 18);
+                await ReadBytesWithSingleRequestAsync(dataType, db, startByteAdr + index, buffer.Slice(0, maxToRead), cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                buffer = buffer.Slice(maxToRead);
                 index += maxToRead;
             }
-            return resultBytes;
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -290,6 +312,19 @@ namespace S7.Net
             return dataItems;
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Read the current status from the PLC. A value of 0x08 indicates the PLC is in run status, regardless of the PLC type.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">The token to monitor for cancellation requests. The default value is None.
+        /// Please note that cancellation is advisory/cooperative and will not lead to immediate cancellation in all cases.</param>
+        /// <returns>A task that represents the asynchronous operation, with it's result set to the current PLC status on completion.</returns>
+        public async Task<byte> ReadStatusAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
+            var dataToSend = BuildSzlReadRequestPackage(0x0424, 0);
+            var s7data = await RequestTsduAsync(dataToSend, cancellationToken);
+
+            return (byte) (s7data[37] & 0x0f);
+        }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Write a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
@@ -302,15 +337,30 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// <param name="cancellationToken">The token to monitor for cancellation requests. The default value is None.
         /// Please note that cancellation is advisory/cooperative and will not lead to immediate cancellation in all cases.</param>
         /// <returns>A task that represents the asynchronous write operation.</returns>
-        public async Task WriteBytesAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        public Task WriteBytesAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
+            return WriteBytesAsync(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value.AsMemory(), cancellationToken);
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Write a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
+        /// If the write was not successful, check LastErrorCode or LastErrorString.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="dataType">Data type of the memory area, can be DB, Timer, Counter, Merker(Memory), Input, Output.</param>
+        /// <param name="db">Address of the memory area (if you want to read DB1, this is set to 1). This must be set also for other memory area types: counters, timers,etc.</param>
+        /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to write DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
+        /// <param name="value">Bytes to write. If more than 200, multiple requests will be made.</param>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">The token to monitor for cancellation requests. The default value is None.
+        /// Please note that cancellation is advisory/cooperative and will not lead to immediate cancellation in all cases.</param>
+        /// <returns>A task that represents the asynchronous write operation.</returns>
+        public async Task WriteBytesAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, ReadOnlyMemory<byte> value, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         {
             int localIndex = 0;
-            int count = value.Length;
-            while (count > 0)
+            while (value.Length > 0)
             {
-                var maxToWrite = (int)Math.Min(count, MaxPDUSize - 35);
-                await WriteBytesWithASingleRequestAsync(dataType, db, startByteAdr + localIndex, value, localIndex, maxToWrite, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
-                count -= maxToWrite;
+                var maxToWrite = (int)Math.Min(value.Length, MaxPDUSize - 35);
+                await WriteBytesWithASingleRequestAsync(dataType, db, startByteAdr + localIndex, value.Slice(0, maxToWrite), cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                value = value.Slice(maxToWrite);
                 localIndex += maxToWrite;
             }
         }
@@ -392,7 +442,6 @@ namespace S7.Net
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Writes a single variable from the PLC, takes in input strings like "DB1.DBX0.0", "DB20.DBD200", "MB20", "T45", etc.
-        /// If the write was not successful, check <see cref="LastErrorCode"/> or <see cref="LastErrorString"/>.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="variable">Input strings like "DB1.DBX0.0", "DB20.DBD200", "MB20", "T45", etc.</param>
         /// <param name="value">Value to be written to the PLC</param>
@@ -436,14 +485,14 @@ namespace S7.Net
             await WriteBytesAsync(DataType.DataBlock, db, startByteAdr, bytes, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
-        private async Task ReadBytesWithSingleRequestAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] buffer, int offset, int count, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+        private async Task ReadBytesWithSingleRequestAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, Memory<byte> buffer, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
-            var dataToSend = BuildReadRequestPackage(new[] { new DataItemAddress(dataType, db, startByteAdr, count) });
+            var dataToSend = BuildReadRequestPackage(new[] { new DataItemAddress(dataType, db, startByteAdr, buffer.Length) });
 
             var s7data = await RequestTsduAsync(dataToSend, cancellationToken);
-            AssertReadResponse(s7data, count);
+            AssertReadResponse(s7data, buffer.Length);
 
-            Array.Copy(s7data, 18, buffer, offset, count);
+            s7data.AsSpan(18, buffer.Length).CopyTo(buffer.Span);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -471,12 +520,13 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// <param name="db">Address of the memory area (if you want to read DB1, this is set to 1). This must be set also for other memory area types: counters, timers,etc.</param>
         /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to read DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
         /// <param name="value">Bytes to write. The lenght of this parameter can't be higher than 200. If you need more, use recursion.</param>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">A cancellation token that can be used to cancel the asynchronous operation.</param>
         /// <returns>A task that represents the asynchronous write operation.</returns>
-        private async Task WriteBytesWithASingleRequestAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value, int dataOffset, int count, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+        private async Task WriteBytesWithASingleRequestAsync(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, ReadOnlyMemory<byte> value, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
             try
             {
-                var dataToSend = BuildWriteBytesPackage(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value, dataOffset, count);
+                var dataToSend = BuildWriteBytesPackage(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value.Span);
                 var s7data = await RequestTsduAsync(dataToSend, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
 
                 ValidateResponseCode((ReadWriteErrorCode)s7data[14]);

S7.Net/PlcSynchronous.cs

@@ -39,16 +39,32 @@ namespace S7.Net
         public byte[] ReadBytes(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, int count)
         {
             var result = new byte[count];
+
+            ReadBytes(result, dataType, db, startByteAdr);
+
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Reads a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
+        /// If the read was not successful, check LastErrorCode or LastErrorString.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="buffer">Buffer to receive the read bytes. The <see cref="Span{T}.Length"/> determines the number of bytes to read.</param>
+        /// <param name="dataType">Data type of the memory area, can be DB, Timer, Counter, Merker(Memory), Input, Output.</param>
+        /// <param name="db">Address of the memory area (if you want to read DB1, this is set to 1). This must be set also for other memory area types: counters, timers,etc.</param>
+        /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to read DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
+        /// <returns>Returns the bytes in an array</returns>
+        public void ReadBytes(Span<byte> buffer, DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr)
+        {
             int index = 0;
-            while (count > 0)
+            while (buffer.Length > 0)
             {
                 //This works up to MaxPDUSize-1 on SNAP7. But not MaxPDUSize-0.
-                var maxToRead = Math.Min(count, MaxPDUSize - 18);
-                ReadBytesWithSingleRequest(dataType, db, startByteAdr + index, result, index, maxToRead);
-                count -= maxToRead;
+                var maxToRead = Math.Min(buffer.Length, MaxPDUSize - 18);
+                ReadBytesWithSingleRequest(dataType, db, startByteAdr + index, buffer.Slice(0, maxToRead));
+                buffer = buffer.Slice(maxToRead);
                 index += maxToRead;
             }
-            return result;
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -111,7 +127,6 @@ namespace S7.Net
             return ReadStruct(typeof(T), db, startByteAdr) as T?;
         }
 
-
         /// <summary>
         /// Reads all the bytes needed to fill a class in C#, starting from a certain address, and set all the properties values to the value that are read from the PLC.
         /// This reads only properties, it doesn't read private variable or public variable without {get;set;} specified.
@@ -178,17 +193,29 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to write DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
         /// <param name="value">Bytes to write. If more than 200, multiple requests will be made.</param>
         public void WriteBytes(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value)
+        {
+            WriteBytes(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value.AsSpan());
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Write a number of bytes from a DB starting from a specified index. This handles more than 200 bytes with multiple requests.
+        /// If the write was not successful, check LastErrorCode or LastErrorString.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="dataType">Data type of the memory area, can be DB, Timer, Counter, Merker(Memory), Input, Output.</param>
+        /// <param name="db">Address of the memory area (if you want to read DB1, this is set to 1). This must be set also for other memory area types: counters, timers,etc.</param>
+        /// <param name="startByteAdr">Start byte address. If you want to write DB1.DBW200, this is 200.</param>
+        /// <param name="value">Bytes to write. If more than 200, multiple requests will be made.</param>
+        public void WriteBytes(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, ReadOnlySpan<byte> value)
         {
             int localIndex = 0;
-            int count = value.Length;
-            while (count > 0)
+            while (value.Length > 0)
             {
                 //TODO: Figure out how to use MaxPDUSize here
                 //Snap7 seems to choke on PDU sizes above 256 even if snap7
                 //replies with bigger PDU size in connection setup.
-                var maxToWrite = Math.Min(count, MaxPDUSize - 28);//TODO tested only when the MaxPDUSize is 480
-                WriteBytesWithASingleRequest(dataType, db, startByteAdr + localIndex, value, localIndex, maxToWrite);
-                count -= maxToWrite;
+                var maxToWrite = Math.Min(value.Length, MaxPDUSize - 28);//TODO tested only when the MaxPDUSize is 480
+                WriteBytesWithASingleRequest(dataType, db, startByteAdr + localIndex, value.Slice(0, maxToWrite));
+                value = value.Slice(maxToWrite);
                 localIndex += maxToWrite;
             }
         }
@@ -262,7 +289,6 @@ namespace S7.Net
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Writes a single variable from the PLC, takes in input strings like "DB1.DBX0.0", "DB20.DBD200", "MB20", "T45", etc.
-        /// If the write was not successful, check <see cref="LastErrorCode"/> or <see cref="LastErrorString"/>.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="variable">Input strings like "DB1.DBX0.0", "DB20.DBD200", "MB20", "T45", etc.</param>
         /// <param name="value">Value to be written to the PLC</param>
@@ -294,22 +320,22 @@ namespace S7.Net
             WriteClassAsync(classValue, db, startByteAdr).GetAwaiter().GetResult();
         }
 
-        private void ReadBytesWithSingleRequest(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] buffer, int offset, int count)
+        private void ReadBytesWithSingleRequest(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, Span<byte> buffer)
         {
             try
             {
                 // first create the header
-                int packageSize = 19 + 12; // 19 header + 12 for 1 request
-                var package = new System.IO.MemoryStream(packageSize);
-                BuildHeaderPackage(package);
+                const int packageSize = 19 + 12; // 19 header + 12 for 1 request
+                var dataToSend = new byte[packageSize];
+                var package = new MemoryStream(dataToSend);
+                WriteReadHeader(package);
                 // package.Add(0x02);  // datenart
-                BuildReadDataRequestPackage(package, dataType, db, startByteAdr, count);
+                BuildReadDataRequestPackage(package, dataType, db, startByteAdr, buffer.Length);
 
-                var dataToSend = package.ToArray();
                 var s7data = RequestTsdu(dataToSend);
-                AssertReadResponse(s7data, count);
+                AssertReadResponse(s7data, buffer.Length);
 
-                Array.Copy(s7data, 18, buffer, offset, count);
+                s7data.AsSpan(18, buffer.Length).CopyTo(buffer);
             }
             catch (Exception exc)
             {
@@ -326,7 +352,6 @@ namespace S7.Net
         {
             AssertPduSizeForWrite(dataItems);
 
-
             var message = new ByteArray();
             var length = S7WriteMultiple.CreateRequest(message, dataItems);
             var response = RequestTsdu(message.Array, 0, length);
@@ -334,11 +359,11 @@ namespace S7.Net
             S7WriteMultiple.ParseResponse(response, response.Length, dataItems);
         }
 
-        private void WriteBytesWithASingleRequest(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value, int dataOffset, int count)
+        private void WriteBytesWithASingleRequest(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, ReadOnlySpan<byte> value)
         {
             try
             {
-                var dataToSend = BuildWriteBytesPackage(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value, dataOffset, count);
+                var dataToSend = BuildWriteBytesPackage(dataType, db, startByteAdr, value);
                 var s7data = RequestTsdu(dataToSend);
 
                 ValidateResponseCode((ReadWriteErrorCode)s7data[14]);
@@ -349,35 +374,37 @@ namespace S7.Net
             }
         }
 
-        private byte[] BuildWriteBytesPackage(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, byte[] value, int dataOffset, int count)
+        private byte[] BuildWriteBytesPackage(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, ReadOnlySpan<byte> value)
         {
-            int varCount = count;
+            int varCount = value.Length;
             // first create the header
             int packageSize = 35 + varCount;
-            var package = new MemoryStream(new byte[packageSize]);
+            var packageData = new byte[packageSize];
+            var package = new MemoryStream(packageData);
 
             package.WriteByte(3);
             package.WriteByte(0);
             //complete package size
-            package.WriteByteArray(Int.ToByteArray((short)packageSize));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 2, 0xf0, 0x80, 0x32, 1, 0, 0 });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount - 1)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0, 0x0e });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount + 4)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x05, 0x01, 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10, 0x02 });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)varCount));
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
+            package.Write(Int.ToByteArray((short)packageSize));
+            // This overload doesn't allocate the byte array, it refers to assembly's static data segment
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 2, 0xf0, 0x80, 0x32, 1, 0, 0 });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount - 1)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0, 0x0e });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount + 4)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0x05, 0x01, 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10, 0x02 });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)varCount));
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
             package.WriteByte((byte)dataType);
             var overflow = (int)(startByteAdr * 8 / 0xffffU); // handles words with address bigger than 8191
             package.WriteByte((byte)overflow);
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr * 8)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0, 4 });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount * 8)));
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr * 8)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0, 4 });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount * 8)));
 
             // now join the header and the data
-            package.Write(value, dataOffset, count);
+            package.Write(value);
 
-            return package.ToArray();
+            return packageData;
         }
 
         private byte[] BuildWriteBitPackage(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, bool bitValue, int bitAdr)
@@ -386,33 +413,33 @@ namespace S7.Net
             int varCount = 1;
             // first create the header
             int packageSize = 35 + varCount;
-            var package = new MemoryStream(new byte[packageSize]);
+            var packageData = new byte[packageSize];
+            var package = new MemoryStream(packageData);
 
             package.WriteByte(3);
             package.WriteByte(0);
             //complete package size
-            package.WriteByteArray(Int.ToByteArray((short)packageSize));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 2, 0xf0, 0x80, 0x32, 1, 0, 0 });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount - 1)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0, 0x0e });
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount + 4)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0x05, 0x01, 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10, 0x01 }); //ending 0x01 is used for writing a sinlge bit
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)varCount));
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
+            package.Write(Int.ToByteArray((short)packageSize));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 2, 0xf0, 0x80, 0x32, 1, 0, 0 });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount - 1)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0, 0x0e });
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount + 4)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0x05, 0x01, 0x12, 0x0a, 0x10, 0x01 }); //ending 0x01 is used for writing a sinlge bit
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)varCount));
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(db)));
             package.WriteByte((byte)dataType);
             var overflow = (int)(startByteAdr * 8 / 0xffffU); // handles words with address bigger than 8191
             package.WriteByte((byte)overflow);
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr * 8 + bitAdr)));
-            package.WriteByteArray(new byte[] { 0, 0x03 }); //ending 0x03 is used for writing a sinlge bit
-            package.WriteByteArray(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount)));
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(startByteAdr * 8 + bitAdr)));
+            package.Write(new byte[] { 0, 0x03 }); //ending 0x03 is used for writing a sinlge bit
+            package.Write(Word.ToByteArray((ushort)(varCount)));
 
             // now join the header and the data
-            package.WriteByteArray(value);
+            package.Write(value);
 
-            return package.ToArray();
+            return packageData;
         }
 
-
         private void WriteBitWithASingleRequest(DataType dataType, int db, int startByteAdr, int bitAdr, bool bitValue)
         {
             try
@@ -444,16 +471,16 @@ namespace S7.Net
             {
                 // first create the header
                 int packageSize = 19 + (dataItems.Count * 12);
-                var package = new System.IO.MemoryStream(packageSize);
-                BuildHeaderPackage(package, dataItems.Count);
+                var dataToSend = new byte[packageSize];
+                var package = new MemoryStream(dataToSend);
+                WriteReadHeader(package, dataItems.Count);
                 // package.Add(0x02);  // datenart
                 foreach (var dataItem in dataItems)
                 {
                     BuildReadDataRequestPackage(package, dataItem.DataType, dataItem.DB, dataItem.StartByteAdr, VarTypeToByteLength(dataItem.VarType, dataItem.Count));
                 }
 
-                var dataToSend = package.ToArray();
-                var s7data = RequestTsdu(dataToSend);
+                byte[] s7data = RequestTsdu(dataToSend);
 
                 ValidateResponseCode((ReadWriteErrorCode)s7data[14]);
 
@@ -465,6 +492,18 @@ namespace S7.Net
             }
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Read the current status from the PLC. A value of 0x08 indicates the PLC is in run status, regardless of the PLC type.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <returns>The current PLC status.</returns>
+        public byte ReadStatus()
+        {
+            var dataToSend = BuildSzlReadRequestPackage(0x0424, 0);
+            var s7data = RequestTsdu(dataToSend);
+
+            return (byte) (s7data[37] & 0x0f);
+        }
+
         private byte[] RequestTsdu(byte[] requestData) => RequestTsdu(requestData, 0, requestData.Length);
 
         private byte[] RequestTsdu(byte[] requestData, int offset, int length)

S7.Net/S7.Net.csproj

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
   
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <TargetFrameworks>net452;netstandard2.0;netstandard1.3</TargetFrameworks>
+    <TargetFrameworks>net452;net462;netstandard2.0;netstandard1.3;net5.0;net6.0;net7.0</TargetFrameworks>
     <SignAssembly>true</SignAssembly>
     <AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>Properties\S7.Net.snk</AssemblyOriginatorKeyFile>
     <InternalsVisibleTo>S7.Net.UnitTest</InternalsVisibleTo>
@@ -15,18 +15,23 @@
     <RepositoryType>git</RepositoryType>
     <PackageTags>PLC Siemens Communication S7</PackageTags>
     <Copyright>Derek Heiser 2015</Copyright>
-    <LangVersion>8.0</LangVersion>
+    <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
     <Nullable>Enable</Nullable>
     <DebugType>portable</DebugType>
     <IncludeSymbols>true</IncludeSymbols>
     <SymbolPackageFormat>snupkg</SymbolPackageFormat>
     <GenerateDocumentationFile>true</GenerateDocumentationFile>
+    <NoWarn>$(NoWarn);CS1591;NETSDK1138</NoWarn>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
-  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(TargetFramework)' == 'net452' Or '$(TargetFramework)' == 'netstandard2.0' ">
+  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(TargetFramework)' == 'net452' Or '$(TargetFramework)' == 'net462' Or '$(TargetFramework)' == 'netstandard2.0' ">
     <DefineConstants>NET_FULL</DefineConstants>
   </PropertyGroup>
 
+  <ItemGroup Condition="'$(TargetFramework)' != 'net5.0' And '$(TargetFramework)' != 'net6.0' And '$(TargetFramework)' != 'net7.0'">
+    <PackageReference Include="System.Memory" Version="4.5.5" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  
   <ItemGroup>
     <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.SourceLink.GitHub" Version="1.0.0" PrivateAssets="All" />
   </ItemGroup>

S7.Net/StreamExtensions.cs

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// <param name="buffer">the buffer to read into</param>
         /// <param name="offset">the offset in the buffer to read into</param>
         /// <param name="count">the amount of bytes to read into the buffer</param>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">A cancellation token that can be used to cancel the asynchronous operation.</param>
         /// <returns>returns the amount of read bytes</returns>
         public static async Task<int> ReadExactAsync(this Stream stream, byte[] buffer, int offset, int count, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {

S7.Net/TPKT.cs

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ namespace S7.Net
         /// Reads a TPKT from the socket Async
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="stream">The stream to read from</param>
+        /// <param name="cancellationToken">A cancellation token that can be used to cancel the asynchronous operation.</param>
         /// <returns>Task TPKT Instace</returns>
         public static async Task<TPKT> ReadAsync(Stream stream, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {

S7.Net/Types/Class.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Reflection;
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
 
 namespace S7.Net.Types
 {
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
 
         }
 
-        private static double GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(double numBytes, Type type)
+        private static double GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(double numBytes, Type type, PropertyInfo? propertyInfo)
         {
             switch (type.Name)
             {
@@ -38,32 +39,33 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     break;
                 case "Int16":
                 case "UInt16":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     numBytes += 2;
                     break;
                 case "Int32":
                 case "UInt32":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     numBytes += 4;
                     break;
                 case "Single":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     numBytes += 4;
                     break;
                 case "Double":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     numBytes += 8;
                     break;
+                case "String":
+                    S7StringAttribute? attribute = propertyInfo?.GetCustomAttributes<S7StringAttribute>().SingleOrDefault();
+                    if (attribute == default(S7StringAttribute))
+                        throw new ArgumentException("Please add S7StringAttribute to the string field");
+
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
+                    numBytes += attribute.ReservedLengthInBytes;
+                    break;
                 default:
-                    var propertyClass = Activator.CreateInstance(type);
+                    var propertyClass = Activator.CreateInstance(type) ??
+                        throw new ArgumentException($"Failed to create instance of type {type}.", nameof(type));
                     numBytes = GetClassSize(propertyClass, numBytes, true);
                     break;
             }
@@ -75,6 +77,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// Gets the size of the class in bytes.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="instance">An instance of the class</param>
+        /// <param name="numBytes">The offset of the current field.</param>
+        /// <param name="isInnerProperty"><see langword="true" /> if this property belongs to a class being serialized as member of the class requested for serialization; otherwise, <see langword="false" />.</param>
         /// <returns>the number of bytes</returns>
         public static double GetClassSize(object instance, double numBytes = 0.0, bool isInnerProperty = false)
         {
@@ -83,8 +87,10 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
             {
                 if (property.PropertyType.IsArray)
                 {
-                    Type elementType = property.PropertyType.GetElementType();
-                    Array array = (Array)property.GetValue(instance, null);
+                    Type elementType = property.PropertyType.GetElementType()!;
+                    Array array = (Array?) property.GetValue(instance, null) ??
+                        throw new ArgumentException($"Property {property.Name} on {instance} must have a non-null value to get it's size.", nameof(instance));
+
                     if (array.Length <= 0)
                     {
                         throw new Exception("Cannot determine size of class, because an array is defined which has no fixed size greater than zero.");
@@ -93,12 +99,12 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     for (int i = 0; i < array.Length; i++)
                     {
-                        numBytes = GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(numBytes, elementType);
+                        numBytes = GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(numBytes, elementType, property);
                     }
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    numBytes = GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(numBytes, property.PropertyType);
+                    numBytes = GetIncreasedNumberOfBytes(numBytes, property.PropertyType, property);
                 }
             }
             if (false == isInnerProperty)
@@ -111,7 +117,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
             return numBytes;
         }
 
-        private static object? GetPropertyValue(Type propertyType, byte[] bytes, ref double numBytes)
+        private static object? GetPropertyValue(Type propertyType, PropertyInfo? propertyInfo, byte[] bytes, ref double numBytes)
         {
             object? value = null;
 
@@ -133,50 +139,35 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     numBytes++;
                     break;
                 case "Int16":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     // hier auswerten
                     ushort source = Word.FromBytes(bytes[(int)numBytes + 1], bytes[(int)numBytes]);
                     value = source.ConvertToShort();
                     numBytes += 2;
                     break;
                 case "UInt16":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     // hier auswerten
                     value = Word.FromBytes(bytes[(int)numBytes + 1], bytes[(int)numBytes]);
                     numBytes += 2;
                     break;
                 case "Int32":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
-                    // hier auswerten
-                    uint sourceUInt = DWord.FromBytes(bytes[(int)numBytes + 3],
-                                                                       bytes[(int)numBytes + 2],
-                                                                       bytes[(int)numBytes + 1],
-                                                                       bytes[(int)numBytes + 0]);
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
+                    var wordBuffer = new byte[4];
+                    Array.Copy(bytes, (int)numBytes, wordBuffer, 0, wordBuffer.Length);
+                    uint sourceUInt = DWord.FromByteArray(wordBuffer);
                     value = sourceUInt.ConvertToInt();
                     numBytes += 4;
                     break;
                 case "UInt32":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
-                    // hier auswerten
-                    value = DWord.FromBytes(
-                        bytes[(int)numBytes],
-                        bytes[(int)numBytes + 1],
-                        bytes[(int)numBytes + 2],
-                        bytes[(int)numBytes + 3]);
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
+                    var wordBuffer2 = new byte[4];
+                    Array.Copy(bytes, (int)numBytes, wordBuffer2, 0, wordBuffer2.Length);
+                    value = DWord.FromByteArray(wordBuffer2);
                     numBytes += 4;
                     break;
                 case "Single":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     // hier auswerten
                     value = Real.FromByteArray(
                         new byte[] {
@@ -187,17 +178,35 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     numBytes += 4;
                     break;
                 case "Double":
-                    numBytes = Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
-                    if ((numBytes / 2 - Math.Floor(numBytes / 2.0)) > 0)
-                        numBytes++;
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
                     var buffer = new byte[8];
                     Array.Copy(bytes, (int)numBytes, buffer, 0, 8);
                     // hier auswerten
                     value = LReal.FromByteArray(buffer);
                     numBytes += 8;
                     break;
+                case "String":
+                    S7StringAttribute? attribute = propertyInfo?.GetCustomAttributes<S7StringAttribute>().SingleOrDefault();
+                    if (attribute == default(S7StringAttribute))
+                        throw new ArgumentException("Please add S7StringAttribute to the string field");
+
+                    IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
+
+                    // get the value
+                    var sData = new byte[attribute.ReservedLengthInBytes];
+                    Array.Copy(bytes, (int)numBytes, sData, 0, sData.Length);
+                    value = attribute.Type switch
+                    {
+                        S7StringType.S7String => S7String.FromByteArray(sData),
+                        S7StringType.S7WString => S7WString.FromByteArray(sData),
+                        _ => throw new ArgumentException("Please use a valid string type for the S7StringAttribute")
+                    };
+                    numBytes += sData.Length;
+                    break;
                 default:
-                    var propClass = Activator.CreateInstance(propertyType);
+                    var propClass = Activator.CreateInstance(propertyType) ??
+                        throw new ArgumentException($"Failed to create instance of type {propertyType}.", nameof(propertyType));
+
                     numBytes = FromBytes(propClass, bytes, numBytes);
                     value = propClass;
                     break;
@@ -211,6 +220,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="sourceClass">The object to fill in the given array of bytes</param>
         /// <param name="bytes">The array of bytes</param>
+        /// <param name="numBytes">The offset for the current field.</param>
+        /// <param name="isInnerClass"><see langword="true" /> if this class is the type of a member of the class to be serialized; otherwise, <see langword="false" />.</param>
         public static double FromBytes(object sourceClass, byte[] bytes, double numBytes = 0, bool isInnerClass = false)
         {
             if (bytes == null)
@@ -221,13 +232,15 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
             {
                 if (property.PropertyType.IsArray)
                 {
-                    Array array = (Array)property.GetValue(sourceClass, null);
+                    Array array = (Array?) property.GetValue(sourceClass, null) ??
+                        throw new ArgumentException($"Property {property.Name} on sourceClass must be an array instance.", nameof(sourceClass));
+
                     IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
-                    Type elementType = property.PropertyType.GetElementType();
+                    Type elementType = property.PropertyType.GetElementType()!;
                     for (int i = 0; i < array.Length && numBytes < bytes.Length; i++)
                     {
                         array.SetValue(
-                            GetPropertyValue(elementType, bytes, ref numBytes),
+                            GetPropertyValue(elementType, property, bytes, ref numBytes),
                             i);
                     }
                 }
@@ -235,7 +248,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                 {
                     property.SetValue(
                         sourceClass,
-                        GetPropertyValue(property.PropertyType, bytes, ref numBytes),
+                        GetPropertyValue(property.PropertyType, property, bytes, ref numBytes),
                         null);
                 }
             }
@@ -243,7 +256,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
             return numBytes;
         }
 
-        private static double SetBytesFromProperty(object propertyValue, byte[] bytes, double numBytes)
+        private static double SetBytesFromProperty(object propertyValue, PropertyInfo? propertyInfo, byte[] bytes, double numBytes)
         {
             int bytePos = 0;
             int bitPos = 0;
@@ -285,6 +298,18 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                 case "Double":
                     bytes2 = LReal.ToByteArray((double)propertyValue);
                     break;
+                case "String":
+                    S7StringAttribute? attribute = propertyInfo?.GetCustomAttributes<S7StringAttribute>().SingleOrDefault();
+                    if (attribute == default(S7StringAttribute))
+                        throw new ArgumentException("Please add S7StringAttribute to the string field");
+
+                    bytes2 = attribute.Type switch
+                    {
+                        S7StringType.S7String => S7String.ToByteArray((string)propertyValue, attribute.ReservedLength),
+                        S7StringType.S7WString => S7WString.ToByteArray((string)propertyValue, attribute.ReservedLength),
+                        _ => throw new ArgumentException("Please use a valid string type for the S7StringAttribute")
+                    };
+                    break;
                 default:
                     numBytes = ToBytes(propertyValue, bytes, numBytes);
                     break;
@@ -306,26 +331,30 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// <summary>
         /// Creates a byte array depending on the struct type.
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="sourceClass">The struct object</param>
+        /// <param name="sourceClass">The struct object.</param>
+        /// <param name="bytes">The target byte array.</param>
+        /// <param name="numBytes">The offset for the current field.</param>
         /// <returns>A byte array or null if fails.</returns>
         public static double ToBytes(object sourceClass, byte[] bytes, double numBytes = 0.0)
         {
             var properties = GetAccessableProperties(sourceClass.GetType());
             foreach (var property in properties)
             {
+                var value = property.GetValue(sourceClass, null) ??
+                    throw new ArgumentException($"Property {property.Name} on sourceClass can't be null.", nameof(sourceClass));
+
                 if (property.PropertyType.IsArray)
                 {
-                    Array array = (Array)property.GetValue(sourceClass, null);
+                    Array array = (Array) value;
                     IncrementToEven(ref numBytes);
-                    Type elementType = property.PropertyType.GetElementType();
                     for (int i = 0; i < array.Length && numBytes < bytes.Length; i++)
                     {
-                        numBytes = SetBytesFromProperty(array.GetValue(i), bytes, numBytes);
+                        numBytes = SetBytesFromProperty(array.GetValue(i)!, property, bytes, numBytes);
                     }
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    numBytes = SetBytesFromProperty(property.GetValue(sourceClass, null), bytes, numBytes);
+                    numBytes = SetBytesFromProperty(value, property, bytes, numBytes);
                 }
             }
             return numBytes;

S7.Net/Types/DateTime.cs

@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// Converts an array of <see cref="T:System.DateTime"/> values to a byte array.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="dateTimes">The DateTime values to convert.</param>
-        /// <returns>A byte array containing the S7 date time representations of <paramref name="dateTime"/>.</returns>
+        /// <returns>A byte array containing the S7 date time representations of <paramref name="dateTimes"/>.</returns>
         /// <exception cref="ArgumentOutOfRangeException">Thrown when any value of
         ///   <paramref name="dateTimes"/> is before <see cref="P:SpecMinimumDateTime"/>
         ///   or after <see cref="P:SpecMaximumDateTime"/>.</exception>

S7.Net/Types/S7String.cs

@@ -9,6 +9,18 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
     /// </summary>
     public static class S7String
     {
+        private static Encoding stringEncoding = Encoding.ASCII;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// The Encoding used when serializing and deserializing S7String (Encoding.ASCII by default)
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <exception cref="ArgumentNullException">StringEncoding must not be null</exception>
+        public static Encoding StringEncoding
+        {
+            get => stringEncoding;
+            set => stringEncoding = value ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(StringEncoding));
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Converts S7 bytes to a string
         /// </summary>
@@ -30,7 +42,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
 
             try
             {
-                return Encoding.ASCII.GetString(bytes, 2, length);
+                return StringEncoding.GetString(bytes, 2, length);
             }
             catch (Exception e)
             {
@@ -38,7 +50,6 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     $"Failed to parse {VarType.S7String} from data. Following fields were read: size: '{size}', actual length: '{length}', total number of bytes (including header): '{bytes.Length}'.",
                     e);
             }
-            
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -47,7 +58,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// <param name="value">The string to convert to byte array.</param>
         /// <param name="reservedLength">The length (in characters) allocated in PLC for the string.</param>
         /// <returns>A <see cref="T:byte[]" /> containing the string header and string value with a maximum length of <paramref name="reservedLength"/> + 2.</returns>
-        public static byte[] ToByteArray(string value, int reservedLength)
+        public static byte[] ToByteArray(string? value, int reservedLength)
         {
             if (value is null)
             {
@@ -56,7 +67,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
 
             if (reservedLength > 254) throw new ArgumentException($"The maximum string length supported is 254.");
 
-            var bytes = Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(value);
+            var bytes = StringEncoding.GetBytes(value);
             if (bytes.Length > reservedLength) throw new ArgumentException($"The provided string length ({bytes.Length} is larger than the specified reserved length ({reservedLength}).");
 
             var buffer = new byte[2 + reservedLength];

S7.Net/Types/S7StringAttribute.cs

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 namespace S7.Net.Types
 {
-    [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Field, AllowMultiple = false)]
+    [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Field | AttributeTargets.Property, AllowMultiple = false)]
     public sealed class S7StringAttribute : Attribute
     {
         private readonly S7StringType type;

S7.Net/Types/S7WString.cs

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
         /// <param name="value">The string to convert to byte array.</param>
         /// <param name="reservedLength">The length (in characters) allocated in PLC for the string.</param>
         /// <returns>A <see cref="T:byte[]" /> containing the string header and string value with a maximum length of <paramref name="reservedLength"/> + 4.</returns>
-        public static byte[] ToByteArray(string value, int reservedLength)
+        public static byte[] ToByteArray(string? value, int reservedLength)
         {
             if (value is null)
             {

S7.Net/Types/String.cs

@@ -12,13 +12,15 @@
         /// <param name="reservedLength">The amount of bytes reserved for the <paramref name="value"/> in the PLC.</param>
         public static byte[] ToByteArray(string value, int reservedLength)
         {
-            var length = value?.Length;
-            if (length > reservedLength) length = reservedLength;
             var bytes = new byte[reservedLength];
+            if (value == null) return bytes;
 
-            if (length == null || length == 0) return bytes;
+            var length = value.Length;
+            if (length == 0) return bytes;
 
-            System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(value, 0, length.Value, bytes, 0);
+            if (length > reservedLength) length = reservedLength;
+
+            System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(value, 0, length, bytes, 0);
 
             return bytes;
         }

S7.Net/Types/Struct.cs

@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
             int bytePos = 0;
             int bitPos = 0;
             double numBytes = 0.0;
-            object structValue = Activator.CreateInstance(structType);
-
+            object structValue = Activator.CreateInstance(structType) ??
+                throw new ArgumentException($"Failed to create an instance of the type {structType}.", nameof(structType));
 
             var infos = structValue.GetType()
 #if NETSTANDARD1_3
@@ -254,6 +254,14 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
 
             foreach (var info in infos)
             {
+                static TValue GetValueOrThrow<TValue>(FieldInfo fi, object structValue) where TValue : struct
+                {
+                    var value = fi.GetValue(structValue) as TValue? ??
+                        throw new ArgumentException($"Failed to convert value of field {fi.Name} of {structValue} to type {typeof(TValue)}");
+
+                    return value;
+                }
+
                 bytes2 = null;
                 switch (info.FieldType.Name)
                 {
@@ -261,7 +269,7 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                         // get the value
                         bytePos = (int)Math.Floor(numBytes);
                         bitPos = (int)((numBytes - (double)bytePos) / 0.125);
-                        if ((bool)info.GetValue(structValue))
+                        if (GetValueOrThrow<bool>(info, structValue))
                             bytes[bytePos] |= (byte)Math.Pow(2, bitPos);            // is true
                         else
                             bytes[bytePos] &= (byte)(~(byte)Math.Pow(2, bitPos));   // is false
@@ -270,26 +278,26 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
                     case "Byte":
                         numBytes = (int)Math.Ceiling(numBytes);
                         bytePos = (int)numBytes;
-                        bytes[bytePos] = (byte)info.GetValue(structValue);
+                        bytes[bytePos] = GetValueOrThrow<byte>(info, structValue);
                         numBytes++;
                         break;
                     case "Int16":
-                        bytes2 = Int.ToByteArray((Int16)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = Int.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<short>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "UInt16":
-                        bytes2 = Word.ToByteArray((UInt16)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = Word.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<ushort>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "Int32":
-                        bytes2 = DInt.ToByteArray((Int32)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = DInt.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<int>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "UInt32":
-                        bytes2 = DWord.ToByteArray((UInt32)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = DWord.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<uint>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "Single":
-                        bytes2 = Real.ToByteArray((float)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = Real.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<float>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "Double":
-                        bytes2 = LReal.ToByteArray((double)info.GetValue(structValue));
+                        bytes2 = LReal.ToByteArray(GetValueOrThrow<double>(info, structValue));
                         break;
                     case "String":
                         S7StringAttribute? attribute = info.GetCustomAttributes<S7StringAttribute>().SingleOrDefault();
@@ -298,8 +306,8 @@ namespace S7.Net.Types
 
                         bytes2 = attribute.Type switch
                         {
-                            S7StringType.S7String => S7String.ToByteArray((string)info.GetValue(structValue), attribute.ReservedLength),
-                            S7StringType.S7WString => S7WString.ToByteArray((string)info.GetValue(structValue), attribute.ReservedLength),
+                            S7StringType.S7String => S7String.ToByteArray((string?)info.GetValue(structValue), attribute.ReservedLength),
+                            S7StringType.S7WString => S7WString.ToByteArray((string?)info.GetValue(structValue), attribute.ReservedLength),
                             _ => throw new ArgumentException("Please use a valid string type for the S7StringAttribute")
                         };
                         break;

appveyor.yml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-image: Visual Studio 2019
+image: Visual Studio 2022
 configuration: Release
 install:
   - choco install gitversion.portable -y