---
title: "system.serial.openSerialPort"
description: "Opens a previously configured serial port for use."
---

# system.serial.openSerialPort

> Opens a previously configured serial port for use.

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

## Description
Opens a previously configured serial port for use. Will throw an exception if the serial port cannot be opened.

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](../../../ignition-modules/vision/vision-project-properties/vision-project-properties.md#vision-permissions-properties) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.serial.openSerialPort(port)`

### Parameters
Type | Parameter | Description 
------- | ------- | ------
String | `port` | The name of the serial port, e.g., "COM1" or "dev/ttyS0".

### Returns
Nothing
### Scope
Gateway, Vision Client, Perspective Session

## Code Examples

```python title="Code Snippet - Using a Literal Value"
# This example will open a port called "COM1"
system.serial.openSerialPort("COM1")
```
```python title="Code Snippet - Using a Variable"
# This example will open a port using a variable called port that has a value of "COM1"
port = "COM1"
system.serial.openSerialPort(port)
```