title: What benefits do Java serial port libraries have over plain IO to the device?
body: <p>There is a lot of talk about Java serial port libraries like RXTX and JSSC, but what do they really provide?  In both linux and windows you can simply open the serial port like a file for reading and writing, can't you?  What is the advantage of using the libraries over just reading and writing from the device with file IO?</p>
  
  <p>I understand that the libraries allow you to configure the ports, which would normally need to be done by commandline calls.  But assuming the ports are already configured, is there any reason to use the libraries?</p>