Can you program external application from Java/C++ app.?

Question

Can you program external application from Java app.?

I know this is a wierd question but lately I really need to do it.

So the lets say I have "VLC" player or MPC or whatever it is, I want to be able to create a Java/C++ application or whatever it is to control the application such as play the video, pause the video and stuff.

If it possible please let me know and how.

Would be easy if your application provides a command line interface. Otherwise, it depends ... — πάντα ῥεῖ, Jul 15 '13 at 07:06
*"create a Java/C++ application or whatever it is"* It would be better to clarify the language choice. Java can achieve that (poorly) using the `java.awt.Robot` but you would typically look to something closer to the OS, like C++, for this type of functionality. — Andrew Thompson, Jul 15 '13 at 07:08
yeah, lets assume the application doesn't have command line interface, and about the Robot so i can click buttons on an external app with it ? — user2580624, Jul 15 '13 at 07:11

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:11

3

It's certainly possible with VLC. Look here: http://wiki.videolan.org/Java_bindings as well as here: how to control VLC by java

For MPC, I don't know of any resources that can be used to do so. You can at least launch it to the best of my knowledge.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:11

Community

1
1

answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:07

Mark M

1,580
10
22

sadly i know about vlcj but i want something for other applications too – user2580624 Jul 15 '13 at 07:09
@user2580624 Then you need to take a look at JNI/JNA and hope that the applications provide some kind of library access – MadProgrammer Jul 15 '13 at 07:10
2

@2580624 : it is only possible if the Application provides an interface for it to be controlled. – Geek Jul 15 '13 at 07:11

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:49

0

To start (execute) an external application you should use Runtime.getRuntime().exec(params); or ProcessBuilder class.

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/lang/ProcessBuilder.html

See Execute external program in java for more information.

To send key strokes to another application you could use the "Robot" class (http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/awt/Robot.html).

edited May 23 '17 at 11:49

Community

1
1

answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:05

bkausbk

2,740
1
36
52

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:07

0

What is expected is to have access to interface to do these operations, you can get some references from http://caprica.github.io/vlcj/ This is java api for controlling the VLC instance embedded in AWT.

answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:07

Himanshu Bhardwaj

4,038
3
17
36

sadly i know about vlcj but i want something for other applications too, such as "internet download manager" – user2580624 Jul 15 '13 at 07:08
Can you explain a bit more, What you want for other applications? – Himanshu Bhardwaj Jul 15 '13 at 07:12
if you know Internet Download manager there is an option to add mass url, i wanna create an app to do that. also for MPC i want to be able to forward or backward the video... i know its not easy but i really wanna do this – user2580624 Jul 15 '13 at 07:14

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:17

0

I have found this site that describes how to run external programms from java http://www.rgagnon.com/javadetails/java-0014.html

answered Jul 15 '13 at 07:17

Stimpy

1
1
6

well i did read the whole topic, its all about cmd, i want GUI control... – user2580624 Jul 15 '13 at 07:24
I am sorry i did get it wrong. – Stimpy Jul 17 '13 at 07:34

Can you program external application from Java/C++ app.?

4 Answers4