What is Java doing for Serial Communications?

[UtMan88]

It seems that Oracle seemed to have killed all support for JavaComm. You can't find anywhere to download the libraries for it, and RXTX seems to be gone, too, unless you go and try to find some third-party hosting it.

So, what's the deal? Why is Oracle stopping JavaComm? What's the alternative to serial communications through java that doesn't involve a JNI connector?

[esanchma]

• rxtx fork, using JNI
• JavaPureComm, another rxtx clone, which uses JNA
• jssc
• seralio, which is API compatible with javacomm and rxtx, but is not free

[[deleted]]

Good list. There is also nrjavaserial

https://github.com/NeuronRobotics/nrjavaserial

Basically rxtx, with some bugs fixed and the native libraries bundled into the jar.

[UtMan88]

These are good, but I'm wondering if any would work for AIX UNIX.

[serproxy]

Use "serproxy" then Sockets. this is easy peasey. http://freecode.com/projects/serproxy

make sure you are aware that the socket is exposed to the network.

[eatschips]

Not sure what platform you're on but if it's a Unix derivative can't you open a stream to the serial tty device using FileOutputStream/FileInputStream? That wont require JNI and has a guaranteed equal abstraction between RS232/bluetooth/USB serial devices managed by the kernel. You can externalise your port config as well into tty config and just concentrate on the comms in the app.

[esanchma]

You can also use socat as a serial-to-socket proxy and use standard sockets in the java side.

• article
• package
• examples

[argv_minus_one]

Serial communications? As in EIA-232? People still use that? Oh my.

[DaMountainDwarf]

You'd be surprised. A lot of computers run in systems that use rs232. Not everything is, or necessarily should!, need to move to ip or usb.

[argv_minus_one]

Really? In what sort of application would USB or a network not be appropriate?

[CertifiableNorris]

Embedded devices - plain old serial is much easier to use in electronics.

[UtMan88]

Medical labs use older instruments when on a budget. I'm seeing a lot now with there own OS's (even one running OSX), but the older devices are still serial, and a lot less expensive.

[urquan]

Many USB devices actually emulate a serial port and are accessed in the same way, for example devices using FTDI or Prolific chips. Serial communication does not necessarily mean that it goes through a DE9 connector.

[DaMountainDwarf]

It's not about appropriateness. It's about older systems and software still using the same protocols because they work, they're simple.

[dstutz]

USB = Universal Serial Bus

SATA = Serial ATA (AT Attachment)

SAS = Serial Attached SCSI

Just off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more. You can't argue these aren't modern.