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It seems that the serial port has a remarkable ability to stick around. You might call it the hardware equivalent of Windows XP.

Despite pretty much physically disappearing from laptops and the like, the need to use a serial port still exists, even if it means using a converter of some sort.

It is very much a legacy piece of hardware, and yet so many devices and instruments still use it. I use it myself daily in my work with PLC's, HMI's, barcode readers, etc.

In my opinion, I don't think it is going anywhere soon, but how long do you think it has got before joining the museum? Do you think it ever will?

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Make this CW. There is no definite answer... – Bobby Jun 12 '10 at 8:25
@Bobby: Fair point, job done. – Andy Jun 12 '10 at 8:30
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@ldigas: You mean apart from the fact it came out in 2001, which is about 3,000 years in computer terms? – Phoshi Jun 12 '10 at 12:26
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@Phoshi - I live for the day when technical people will finally start understanding that the world does not revolve around them. ... It's solid, stable, does the job ... why change (eye candy doesn't count) ? – ldigas Jun 12 '10 at 12:36
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closed as not constructive by quack quixote Jun 12 '10 at 12:59

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Since it's still pretty much standard on all high end networking kit (Cisco with their rollover cables, for example), and that kit is built to last for years, a long time. It's also got uses in low level debugging.

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Yes, one day it definitely will join the "museum".

But, IMHO, that day is somewhat far away. You have to understand that although computer industry is pretty fast paced, and to change one computer is not that much of a cost today, there is hardware and industry which depend on some standardsd, and in which changing produces much greater costs.

For example, lots of CNC milling machines still have serial/parallel ports today (yes, newer ones also have usb and internal memory, but that's beside the point*) - and those are machines with a life span of 10-30 years, if well maintained. Price range from 50-800 000 $. Would you want it to go away (the port) if you had a full shop of those ?

'tis just one of many examples why changing such a trivial thing as a port, can cause such headaches ...

So to put long story short, my guess is it will not go away as long as there is a need for it.

p.s. Converters often don't work ... even the "same" ones by specification ... I don't know why. They just don't.

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