api change: provide control lines as properties, rename flush* and other functions

- flushInput() -> reset_input_buffer()
- flushOuput() -> reset_output_buffer()
- inWaiting -> in_waiting
- getCD()/getRI()/getDSR() -> cd/ri/dsr
- setRTS()/setDTR() -> rts/dtr
- sendBreak() -> send_break()
- setBreak() -> break_condition

rts and dtr can now be read back and can be set before opening the port
(and some platforms are able to apply the contol without a glitch on open)

the old functions are still available and going to be deprecated.
diff --git a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_loop.py b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_loop.py
index 10dedeb..a3bfbc9 100644
--- a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_loop.py
+++ b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_loop.py
@@ -58,8 +58,6 @@
             raise SerialException("Port is already open.")
         self.logger = None
         self.queue = queue.Queue(self.buffer_size)
-        self.cts = False
-        self.dsr = False
 
         if self._port is None:
             raise SerialException("Port must be configured before it can be used.")
@@ -71,11 +69,12 @@
         self._reconfigurePort()
         # all things set up get, now a clean start
         self._isOpen = True
+        if not self.dsrdtr:
+            self._update_dtr_state()
         if not self._rtscts:
-            self.setRTS(True)
-            self.setDTR(True)
-        self.flushInput()
-        self.flushOutput()
+            self._update_rts_state()
+        self.reset_input_buffer()
+        self.reset_output_buffer()
 
     def close(self):
         self.queue.put(None)
@@ -119,7 +118,8 @@
 
     #  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
 
-    def inWaiting(self):
+    @property
+    def in_waiting(self):
         """Return the number of characters currently in the input buffer."""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@
             self.queue.put(byte, timeout=self._writeTimeout)
         return len(data)
 
-    def flushInput(self):
+    def reset_input_buffer(self):
         """Clear input buffer, discarding all that is in the buffer."""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
         except queue.Empty:
             pass
 
-    def flushOutput(self):
+    def reset_output_buffer(self):
         """\
         Clear output buffer, aborting the current output and
         discarding all that is in the buffer.
@@ -197,59 +197,49 @@
         except queue.Empty:
             pass
 
-    def sendBreak(self, duration=0.25):
-        """\
-        Send break condition. Timed, returns to idle state after given
-        duration.
-        """
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
-        time.sleep(duration)
-
-    def setBreak(self, level=True):
+    def _update_break_state(self):
         """\
         Set break: Controls TXD. When active, to transmitting is
         possible.
         """
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('setBreak(%r)' % (level,))
+            self.logger.info('setBreak(%r)' % (self._break_state,))
 
-    def setRTS(self, level=True):
+    def _update_rts_state(self):
         """Set terminal status line: Request To Send"""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('setRTS(%r) -> state of CTS' % (level,))
-        self.cts = level
+            self.logger.info('setRTS(%r) -> state of CTS' % (self._rts_state,))
 
-    def setDTR(self, level=True):
+    def _update_dtr_state(self):
         """Set terminal status line: Data Terminal Ready"""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('setDTR(%r) -> state of DSR' % (level,))
-        self.dsr = level
+            self.logger.info('setDTR(%r) -> state of DSR' % (self._dtr_state,))
 
-    def getCTS(self):
+    @property
+    def cts(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Clear To Send"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('getCTS() -> state of RTS (%r)' % (self.cts,))
-        return self.cts
+            self.logger.info('getCTS() -> state of RTS (%r)' % (self._rts_state,))
+        return self._rts_state
 
-    def getDSR(self):
+    @property
+    def dsr(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Data Set Ready"""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('getDSR() -> state of DTR (%r)' % (self.dsr,))
-        return self.dsr
+            self.logger.info('getDSR() -> state of DTR (%r)' % (self._dtr_state,))
+        return self._dtr_state
 
-    def getRI(self):
+    @property
+    def ri(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Ring Indicator"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
             self.logger.info('returning dummy for getRI()')
         return False
 
-    def getCD(self):
+    @property
+    def cd(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Carrier Detect"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
diff --git a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_socket.py b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_socket.py
index 3dedb48..c0e3dfb 100644
--- a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_socket.py
+++ b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_socket.py
@@ -67,11 +67,12 @@
         self._reconfigurePort()
         # all things set up get, now a clean start
         self._isOpen = True
+        if not self.dsrdtr:
+            self._update_dtr_state()
         if not self._rtscts:
-            self.setRTS(True)
-            self.setDTR(True)
-        self.flushInput()
-        self.flushOutput()
+            self._update_rts_state()
+        self.reset_input_buffer()
+        self.reset_output_buffer()
 
     def _reconfigurePort(self):
         """\
@@ -125,7 +126,8 @@
 
     #  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
 
-    def inWaiting(self):
+    @property
+    def in_waiting(self):
         """Return the number of characters currently in the input buffer."""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         # Poll the socket to see if it is ready for reading.
@@ -180,75 +182,76 @@
             raise SerialException("socket connection failed: %s" % e)
         return len(data)
 
-    def flushInput(self):
+    def reset_input_buffer(self):
         """Clear input buffer, discarding all that is in the buffer."""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored flushInput')
+            self.logger.info('ignored reset_input_buffer')
 
-    def flushOutput(self):
+    def reset_output_buffer(self):
         """\
         Clear output buffer, aborting the current output and
         discarding all that is in the buffer.
         """
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored flushOutput')
+            self.logger.info('ignored reset_output_buffer')
 
-    def sendBreak(self, duration=0.25):
+    def send_break(self, duration=0.25):
         """\
         Send break condition. Timed, returns to idle state after given
         duration.
         """
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored sendBreak(%r)' % (duration,))
+            self.logger.info('ignored send_break(%r)' % (duration,))
 
-    def setBreak(self, level=True):
+    def _update_break_state(self):
         """Set break: Controls TXD. When active, to transmitting is
         possible."""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored setBreak(%r)' % (level,))
+            self.logger.info('ignored _update_break_state(%r)' % (self._break_state,))
 
-    def setRTS(self, level=True):
+    def _update_rts_state(self):
         """Set terminal status line: Request To Send"""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored setRTS(%r)' % (level,))
+            self.logger.info('ignored _update_rts_state(%r)' % (self._rts_state,))
 
-    def setDTR(self, level=True):
+    def _update_dtr_state(self):
         """Set terminal status line: Data Terminal Ready"""
-        if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('ignored setDTR(%r)' % (level,))
+            self.logger.info('ignored _update_dtr_state(%r)' % (self._dtr_state,))
 
-    def getCTS(self):
+    @property
+    def cts(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Clear To Send"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('returning dummy for getCTS()')
+            self.logger.info('returning dummy for cts')
         return True
 
-    def getDSR(self):
+    @property
+    def dsr(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Data Set Ready"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('returning dummy for getDSR()')
+            self.logger.info('returning dummy for dsr')
         return True
 
-    def getRI(self):
+    @property
+    def ri(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Ring Indicator"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('returning dummy for getRI()')
+            self.logger.info('returning dummy for ri')
         return False
 
-    def getCD(self):
+    @property
+    def cd(self):
         """Read terminal status line: Carrier Detect"""
         if not self._isOpen: raise portNotOpenError
         if self.logger:
-            self.logger.info('returning dummy for getCD()')
+            self.logger.info('returning dummy for cd)')
         return True
 
     # - - - platform specific - - -
diff --git a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_spy.py b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_spy.py
index a1993e7..f52b7fe 100644
--- a/serial/urlhandler/protocol_spy.py
+++ b/serial/urlhandler/protocol_spy.py
@@ -196,58 +196,65 @@
             self.formatter.rx(rx)
         return rx
 
-
-    def inWaiting(self):
-        n = super(Serial, self).inWaiting()
+    @property
+    def in_waiting(self):
+        n = super(Serial, self).in_waiting
         if self.show_all:
-            self.formatter.control('Q-RX', 'inWaiting -> {}'.format(n))
+            self.formatter.control('Q-RX', 'in_waiting -> {}'.format(n))
         return n
 
     def flush(self):
         self.formatter.control('Q-TX', 'flush')
         super(Serial, self).flush()
 
-    def flushInput(self):
-        self.formatter.control('Q-RX', 'flushInput')
-        super(Serial, self).flushInput()
+    def reset_input_buffer(self):
+        self.formatter.control('Q-RX', 'reset_input_buffer')
+        super(Serial, self).reset_input_buffer()
 
-    def flushOutput(self):
-        self.formatter.control('Q-TX', 'flushOutput')
-        super(Serial, self).flushOutput()
+    def reset_output_buffer(self):
+        self.formatter.control('Q-TX', 'reset_output_buffer')
+        super(Serial, self).reset_output_buffer()
 
-    def sendBreak(self, duration=0.25):
-        self.formatter.control('BRK', 'sendBreak {}s'.format(duration))
-        super(Serial, self).sendBreak(duration)
+    def send_break(self, duration=0.25):
+        self.formatter.control('BRK', 'send_break {}s'.format(duration))
+        super(Serial, self).send_break(duration)
 
-    def setBreak(self, level=1):
+    @serial.Serial.break_condition.setter
+    def break_condition(self, level):
         self.formatter.control('BRK', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
-        super(Serial, self).setBreak(level)
+        serial.Serial.break_condition.__set__(self, level)
 
-    def setRTS(self, level=1):
+    @serial.Serial.rts.setter
+    def rts(self, level):
         self.formatter.control('RTS', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
-        super(Serial, self).setRTS(level)
+        serial.Serial.rts.__set__(self, level)
 
-    def setDTR(self, level=1):
+    @serial.Serial.dtr.setter
+    def dtr(self, level):
         self.formatter.control('DTR', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
-        super(Serial, self).setDTR(level)
+        serial.Serial.dtr.__set__(self, level)
 
-    def getCTS(self):
-        level = super(Serial, self).getCTS()
+    @serial.Serial.cts.getter
+    def cts(self):
+        level = super(Serial, self).cts
         self.formatter.control('CTS', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
         return level
 
-    def getDSR(self):
-        level = super(Serial, self).getDSR()
+    @serial.Serial.dsr.getter
+    def dsr(self):
+        level = super(Serial, self).dsr
         self.formatter.control('DSR', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
         return level
 
-    def getRI(self):
-        level = super(Serial, self).getRI()
+    @serial.Serial.ri.getter
+    def ri(self):
+        level = super(Serial, self).ri
         self.formatter.control('RI', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
         return level
 
-    def getCD(self):
-        level = super(Serial, self).getCD()
+    @serial.Serial.cd.getter
+    def cd(self):
+        level = super(Serial, self).cd
         self.formatter.control('CD', 'active' if level else 'inactive')
         return level