Java(tm) Communications API FAQThanks for the positive feedback on the Java(tm) communications API.Since we cannot reply individually, we have compiled an FAQ to helpcommunicate with our customers/users.Q: Will it be part of the JDK?A: The Java communications API will be a Java Standard Extension, it will   not be part of the core JDK.Q: My application does not find any ports when it enumerates available ports.Q: BlackBox gives me a message that says "No serial ports found!"A: In order for the Java communications API to find ports the file   javax.comm.properties must be in the correct place. The preferred location    is in <jdk>/lib. See the installation instructions for alternate locations    and further information.Q: Can I load my own CommPort drivers, or am I limited to the provided   Serial/Parallel drivers?A: As a result of feedback, we have added this functionality.   IMPORTANT: Use the Solaris implementation's comm.jar as a   framework. See the CommDriver javadocs for details. Q: Is there a linux version of the Java communications API?A: We do not provide a linux implementation. But Kevin Hester   has written Java communications API drivers for linux and uses our CommPort    driver loading scheme to load his own gnu.io.RXTXCommDriver class. He gave   us permission to disclose his web page:        http://www.interstice.com/kevinh/linuxcomm.htmlQ: I would like to port the Java communications API to my favorite platform.   Can you give me the source code to the reference implementations to help   me out?A: Sun will not be releasing the source code to reference implementations.    Successful porting efforts are underway without the reference implementation   source code (see previous answer).Q: Will there be support for USB, Firewire or ISDN? How about higher level    protocols such as X/Y/Z-modem or Kermit?A: We are investigating adding support for other low-level communication    protocols. But higher-level protocols such as X/Y/Z-modem or Kermit are    outside of the focus of the Java communications API.Q: How many listeners are allowed per instance of CommPort?A: Currently the Java communications API supports one. Therefore,    Parallel/SerialPort.removeEventListener() doesn't take any arguments. Q: How does the CommPortIdentifier class relate to CommPort?A: There is a one-to-one correspondence between a CommPortIdentifier   object and a CommPort object. CommPortIdentifier provides   functionality for discovering comm ports at init time, opening comm   ports and managing ownership change events. The static method   CommPortIdentifier.getPortIdentifier(String portName) returns a   CommPortIdentifier instance with portName, while getPortIdentifiers()   returns an enumeration of CommPortIdentifier objects that represent   all the available ports.Q: Can my app make direct reads from a port and also receive event   notification on the same port?A: Yes. Event notification is done with the lightweight JDK 1.1 event   model. No data from the port is delivered with event notification. You   will read from the port using CommPort.getInputStream().read().Q: Can I use the Java communications API in applets?A: Yes in signed applets, but no in unsigned applets (most cases). Since we    do not allow unsigned applets access to any communications port under the    JDK1.1 security model, you can not use the Java communications API with    unsigned applets. We do plan to be compliant to JDK1.2 security model in    later releases, which might allow trusted applet access to ports.Q: I've edited my javax.comm.properties file and now my application cannot    find any ports.A: The javax.comm.properties file is not intended to be edited by users. If   you are having problems after editing the file, we suggest that you    reinstall the file.Q: I've downloaded and installed the Java communications API. Now I have a    great idea about an application that will use it. Can you tell me how to   do the following...A: The Java communications API team can not provide product support. We suggest   that you use the Java Developer Connection(tm) (JDC). There are several    avenues available in the JDC for getting answers to questions about how to    use the Java communications API, including discussion groups with other    developers. You must register to use the JDC, but there is no charge for    registration.   The URL for the JDC is:   http://developer.java.sun.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------Copyright 2003 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.SUN PROPRIETARY\/CONFIDENTIAL. Use is subject to license terms.