while loop issues java

Question

I'm reading data from serial port inside while loop as follows:

while((len = this.getIn().read(buffer)) > 0) {
    data = new String(buffer, 0, len);
    System.out.println("data len " + len);
    handleModemresponse(data);
}

but, while reading the data from stream starts, the main AWT window, which has a disconnect button, is not getting any listeners (whole window not getting listeners). It only listens when transfer completes, i.e., outside while loop.

I want my AWT window to listen for my actions when it is in the while loop also.

Any ideas how I can achieve this?

Answer 1

I suspect you should be pushing this while loop into a separate thread so as to not tie up your AWT thread during the transfer.

Answer 2

It looks like you have everything in one thread - thus while your working method is in progress, your GUI seems blocked and does not respond to any actions until the loop ends.

You have to separate your GUI attendance in one thread and your working method in another.

Answer 3

The read method you are calling is blocking. You need to move it in a different thread in order for your listeners to keep working.

Answer 4

Create a new Thread for the read action.

public class LongProcess implements Runnable {
  public void startProcess() {
    Thread t = new Thread(this);
    t.start();
  }

      public void run() {
// Define inputstream here
        while((len = inputStream.read(buffer)) > 0) {
         data = new String(buffer, 0, len);
         System.out.println("data len " + len);
         handleModemresponse(data);
        }
      }
    }

EDIT (after comment Tom Hawtin - tackline):

SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new LongProcess ());