---
title: "system.serial.readBytesAsString"
description: "Read numberOfBytes bytes from a serial port and convert them to a String."
---

# system.serial.readBytesAsString

> Read numberOfBytes bytes from a serial port and convert them to a String.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
Read numberOfBytes bytes from a serial port and convert them to a String. If a specific encoding is needed to match the source of the data, use system.serial.readBytes and use the desired encoding to decode the byte array returned.

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](projects\project-properties\project-properties.md#client---permissions) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.serial.readBytesAsString(port, numberOfBytes [, timeout])`

### Parameters

|Type|Parameter|Description|
|--|--|--|
|String |`port` |The previously configured serial port to use.|
|int |`numberOfBytes` |The number of bytes to read.|
|int| `timeout`| Maximum amount of time, in milliseconds, to block before returning. Default is 5000. [optional]|
### Returns
**String** - A String created from the bytes read.
### Scope
All