xbee-java crashing with newer java versions

[msoldin]

Why
xbee-java is crashing with newer java systems like JDK11. As far as I know, this only affects 64 bit versions of Java, as the rxtx library is simply too old. I know the compatibility only says Java 8, but Java 8 is no longer supported with updates. I find it an absurdity to expose software to such security risks for customers.

What
Replace the rxtx-Library with newer code libraries or write an own wrapper for it.

[bramvdpol]

Since there was a recent release of this library apparently development is still done on it; Please make this a priority! The only way to use the xbee-java library on recent windows version is by using an ancient JRE8 version - JRE251 from 2020 or older.

This is not acceptable for production use!

Related: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/63157940/serial-port-reading-error-exception-access-violation-c-rxtxserial-dll0x5

[msoldin]

@bramvdpol i totally agree on you, but as a short fix you can replace the serial library by sacrificing the unit tests. I already did that for my master thesis, seems to work fine. Still not an elegant solution, because the tests are missing.

https://github.com/msoldin/xbee-java-nrjavaserial

You could also use the 32 bit version of newer OpenJDK versions. The problem is not Java itself, only that the old serial library is only supporting 32 bit.

[bramvdpol]

All right, thanks for your insight! That does provide some workarounds for the time being. I think I prefer untested code that at least runs on the latest JRE compared to the current situation. I will also look into OpenJDK, that might be the best option for now.
Thanks again!