Java Serial Port Terminal Files

Java Serial Port Terminal Readme 1.00

1.  Java Runtime Environment or Java Development Kit required.

	The program Java Serial Port Terminal and it's installer, PackJacket,  require that either a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) be installed on your computer before running the installer.  Version 1.6.0 or later is required.  These can be downloaded at http://java.com.  Download and install the JDK if you plan on developing Java programs, or the JRE if you only plan to run existing Java programs.

2.  Installation.

	Click on the downloaded program, JavaSerialPortTerminalInstallerx_x_x.exe, to start the installer.  The default installation directory is "C:/Program Files/Java Serial Port Terminal" for 32 bit systems, and "C:/Program Files(x86)\Java Serial Port Terminal" for 64 bit systems.  The program has been tested on Windows XP and Windows 7.  You may choose another installation directory if you wish, and optionally install a desktop startup icon and/or Startup Menu shortcut.  An uninstaller will be installed at "installation directory/Uninstaller".  The source code is located at 
"installation directory/dist/src".

3.  Using the program.

	When the program is started it will attempt to locate all the serial ports on the computer.  This includes both legacy ports and virtual ports connected to a usb port.  Before opening a port select the speed you want in the "Select Baud Rate" dropdown box.  The default is 9600 baud.  Then select the port you want to open in the "Select Port" dropdown box.  The current port status will appear at the bottom of the screen.  To send text, type it into the "Send to port" text area. When you press the Enter key the text will be sent to the serial port.  Text received from the port will be displayed in the "Received from port" box.  To clear all text click the Clear button.  To toggle the currently selected port open and closed, click the "Open COM port/Close COM port" button.  It is not necessary to explicitly close an open port before exiting from the program or selecting a new port; the port will automatically be closed before proceeding.

4.  RxTx

Java Serial Port Terminal incorporates the Java RxTx API to interface with serial ports.  The API consists of a jar archive,  RXTXcomm.jar, and two libraries specific to the operating system that the program is installed on.  This installation is for 32 bit Windows operating systems.  The included libraries are rxtxSerial.dll and rxtxParallel.dll.  At the time of this writing, the RxTx API is available at http://rxtx.qbang.org.  Downloads for a variety of operating systems, installation and usage information is available at this web site.

5.  Updates

5/5/2011 Production version 1.00 released.  Menu with About window and link to Help page at http://breezeelectronics.net added.