Start CMD by using ProcessBuilder

Question

I am trying to start the CMD application in windows by using the following code, but it doesn't work as expected. Several examples from different websites shows that "cmd" as an argument in the ProcessBuilder construct should work.

What do I have to do to make my Java app open the CMD application in windows?

 public class JavaTest
 {
     public static void main(String[] args) 
     {
         ProcessBuilder pb = new ProcessBuilder("cmd");

         try 
         {
             pb.start();
             System.out.println("cmd started");
         } 
         catch (IOException e) 
         {
             System.out.println(e.getMessage());
         }  
     }
 }

When I try to use a non-existing application it actually prints out an error, so that means it actually runs "CMD". But the CMD application doesn't pop up as expected?

If you called your auto mechanic and said "my car doesn't work", what would his first question be? If you don't tell us what the error message was, how do you expect to get any help? — Jim Garrison, Jun 08 '12 at 18:40
Before jumping up with a fancy comment,try reading what the OP says. _so that means it actually runs "CMD". But the CMD application doesn't pop up as expected?_ — Kazekage Gaara, Jun 08 '12 at 18:41

score 15 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 15 '16 at 12:34

15

To use it with ProcessBuilder you must separate the commands like this:

final List<String> commands = new ArrayList<String>();                

commands.add("cmd.exe");
commands.add("/C");
commands.add("start");
ProcessBuilder pb = new ProcessBuilder(commands);
pb.start();

edited Mar 15 '16 at 12:34

Durgesh Gupta

175
1
6

answered Nov 13 '12 at 12:47

Guilherme

721
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13

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 23 '13 at 09:46

9

You need to use the start command. Actually, even I don't see a new command prompt popping up, but you can check that a new cmd.exe is definitely started using your task manager.

ProcessBuilder pb = new ProcessBuilder("cmd.exe", "/C", "start");

Though, the same functionality can be achieved using Runtime.exec(), and this actually pops up a new command prompt.

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("cmd.exe /C start");

edited Jul 23 '13 at 09:46

assylias

321,522
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783

answered Jun 08 '12 at 18:48

Kazekage Gaara

14,972
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108

The ProcessBuilder doesn't work as expected (Which I find very, very weird) - But the "exec()" method does the job. Thank you! – Birdman Jun 08 '12 at 20:15
String[] cmd = new String[]{"cmd.exe", "/C", "start"}; ProcessBuilder pb = new ProcessBuilder(cmd); Process process = pb.start(); – user77115 Sep 19 '12 at 19:38
I don't know what /C mean?,it's not the path of C drive – john Nov 09 '14 at 14:09
@john please see this : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/515309/what-does-cmd-c-mean – Kazekage Gaara Nov 09 '14 at 20:29

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered May 19 '21 at 12:20

1

use this command if you are windows

ProcessBuilder processBuilder = new ProcessBuilder("cmd.exe", "/c", "ping -n 3 google.com");

answered May 19 '21 at 12:20

Vinay Bairagi

331
1
3
8

Start CMD by using ProcessBuilder

3 Answers3

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