Java installation problem -RS232 port

LoopyByteloose

I am trying to install the JDK [noparse][[/noparse]Java Development Kit] on my WindowsXP with a functional·RS-232 port.

The problem is the the Serial Port feature is an add-on and while Java supported Windows 32 platforms several years ago, something has changed.

I am looking for a file called javacomm20-windows32.zip that would solve the problem. It appears to no longer be available at Sun.· They only provide an incomplete file called comm203.zip and I have no real idea of why.

Since Parallax users include the Javallin Stamp [noparse][[/noparse]which is Java related], I am hoping some can point me towards a solution.

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PLEASE CONSIDER the following:

Do you want a quickly operational black box solution or the knowledge included therein?······

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Peter Verkaik

http://www.sun.com/download/products.xml?id=43208d3d

regards peter

Bamse

Try http://rxtx.org/
This works for most people, but not myself...

I use the Personal Edition JCommSerial from Icaste, http://www.icaste.com/jcommserial.htm.

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Living on the planet Earth might be expensive but it includes a free trip around the sun every year...

Experience level:
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Let's connect the motor to pin 1, it's a 6V motor so it should be fine.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] OK, I got my resistors hooked up with the LEDs.
[noparse][[/noparse]X] I got the Motor hooked up with the H-bridge and the 555 is supplying the PWM.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Now, if I can only program the BOE-BOT to interface with he Flux Capacitor.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] I dream in SX28 assembler...

/Bamse

LoopyByteloose

I've bounced around with Visual Basic, Forth, and Java for optimal RS232 interface to BasicStamps. And, once again Java has convinced me that is the superior. But while this Javax.comm extention was well supported in the early 2000s, that seems to have all changed.

Firstly, I think I've located what I need to get the RS232 port.
Bamse.
Thanks, I am a bit confused regarding RxTx as I thought they provided the Linux Platform with its solution, not Windows32.

I'll certainly try the other for a good alternative.

Peter V,
The Sun Link is the problem, not the solution unless I complete misunderstand what they have provided. Comm203.zip has omitted the two files that I think I need and there is no README file enclosed to explain proper installation - very terse and mystical. I found the other needed files in an older versions duplicated zip tucked away on a university server.

Incidently, Solaris10 is looking like a very attractive alternative to setting up a WindowsVista or Linux computer as my next upgrade. Though, I will keep a WindowsXP platform while do so. I am a bit sick of the agressive marketing that automatically installs and reconfigures things I don't want. WindowsVista looks as though it expects to be even more multimedia hyped than previous Windows. I suspect they want to cash in on the shift to digital T.V. by being the first access to in in people's homes.

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PLEASE CONSIDER the following:

Do you want a quickly operational black box solution or the knowledge included therein?······

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Peter Verkaik

Kramer,
As I understand it, you must use javax.comm 3.0 because javax.comm 2.0.3 is bugged.
From my link:

Update History:

• javax.comm 3.0, Update 1:
  • Fixed problems locating and parsing portmap.conf
• javax.comm 3.0, FCS:
  • Redesigned portmapping and Sun Ray interoperability (see bundled documentation)
  • Several Bugfixes to 2.0.3 (see bundled release notes)
• javax.comm 2.0.3:
  • Added portmapping (comm.jar available 'as-is' for 3rd party native lib support)

regards peter

Bamse

RxTx for Windows can be downloaded here, http://rxtx.qbang.org/pub/rxtx/rxtx-2.1-7-bins-r2.zip
Check out the Wiki on how to install and troubleshoot...
http://rxtx.qbang.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

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Living on the planet Earth might be expensive but it includes a free trip around the sun every year...

Experience level:
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Let's connect the motor to pin 1, it's a 6V motor so it should be fine.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] OK, I got my resistors hooked up with the LEDs.
[noparse][[/noparse]X] I got the Motor hooked up with the H-bridge and the 555 is supplying the PWM.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] Now, if I can only program the BOE-BOT to interface with he Flux Capacitor.
[noparse][[/noparse] ] I dream in SX28 assembler...

/Bamse

LoopyByteloose

Thanks Peter and Thanks Bamse.

Peter,
The 'Catch 22' is that there isn't a zip file for Windows32 to support V3.0.

I suppose I could remove the JAR from another platforms ZIP file and try to use. After all, isn't that the way Java is suppose to work? It is worth a try before I start buying software.

Bamse,
I'll take one more look at RxTx, but I am strongly leaning toward buying the JComm product because I have doubts anything else will easily install on JDK6.

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PLEASE CONSIDER the following:

Do you want a quickly operational black box solution or the knowledge included therein?······

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Peter Verkaik

Kramer,
Go here:
http://forums.java.net/jive/thread.jspa?messageID=108476&tstart=0

The last 2 posts provide links to javax.comm (or so I believe).
It seems v3 no longer supports the comm API, according to the posts in that forum.

regards peter

LoopyByteloose

Yes, it appears that Sun/Java decided not to freely support WindowsXPs comm ports or the USB. So, now you have to go to a 3rd party vendor to buy the 'blessed versions'.

People are still claiming that RxTx has a useful free version, but Sun/Java's legal department may have told them to stick to Linux only support of Java. Just maybe someone claimed ownership to the comm port binary code as intellectual property and won.

When I try to download the RxTx Windows32 related ZIP file, it appears corrupted and of no use.

I can well afford the $25 USD, so it is no big deal. I don't really want to go back to JDK2 version 1.4.2 just to have support for this.

I just wish to clearly know what is going on.

It seems that Sun/Java violated their own End of Life policy. That sows the seeds for other doubts about Sun's purity of purpose.· After all, IBM used to have a no layoff policy for its employees in the 1980s, but that's long gone too.· But, this may have been forced by a 'quiet legal settlement' with another party as the best they could do.

By the way, regardless of rumors being true or false, Windows Vista - Chinese·is currently percieved as a big flop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.· Friends are complaining that it just won't install on a LAN with WindowsXP.·These days, the Taiwanese are mostly·going to having a second portable computer and a home office set up.·Also, there is talk that it acutally downs the router.· People are avoiding buying machines bundled with it and still demanding WindowsXP.· Some vendors claim that adding a second gigabyte of RAM will solve the problem, but that may just be shrewd salesmanship.· Others are saying the IP v6 is no good.

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PLEASE CONSIDER the following:

Do you want a quickly operational black box solution or the knowledge included therein?······

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Post Edited (Kramer) : 10/31/2007 11:30:04 AM GMT

Kevin Wood

On XP, you might want to look at C#. It's very Java-like, and does have the benefit of being able to access "unmanaged" code if needed.

If you like Solaris10, take a look at Solaris Express Developer Edition, aka Solaris11 Beta. It's not beta quality, more like an iterative build up of Solaris11.

Here it is: developers.sun.com/sxde/

LoopyByteloose

Thanks Kevin,
I'll stick with Java for a while because I have an application possibility on my Palm PDA. So far, the C programing for that is about $300, but the JAVA derived has a free product that version that will do the job.

I'm not quite ready for 'beta quality' as it slows the momentum. I need something that people know well how to make work, not with question marks.

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PLEASE CONSIDER the following:

Do you want a quickly operational black box solution or the knowledge included therein?······

···················· Tropically,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Kevin Wood

I probably wasn't clear on the beta quality statement. The Solaris Express Developer Edition is for all intents and purposes an unofficial release of Solaris 11, that will at some point be officially branded Solaris 11.