What is the best way to pass information from java to c++?

Question

I have a java application I need to pass some info to a C++ program. It has been suggested that I use some simple socket programming to do this. Is this the best way? If not what are the alternatives? If so, how should I go about learning about socket programming?

Answer 1

You have a few options:

• Pass a file from Java to C++. This is probably simplest. It's easy to test and shouldn't require any 3rd party libraries on either end.
• Use sockets as mentioned. In C++, if you require a cross-platform solution a library such as ACE or boost will save you some heartache
• Use JNI to call from Java to C++ or vice versa. This is probably the most difficult, but most performant.

For learning sockets, a Google search for "java socket tutorial" or "c++ socket tutorial" will give you lots of information.

Answer 2

A simple way to do this is using standard input and output:

class MyTest {
    public static void main(String... args) {
        System.out.println("carpet");
    }
} // Java

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
int main() {
    string input;
    std::getline(std::cin, input);
    std::cout << "from java: " << input << std::endl; // output: carpet
} // C++

# start by piping java's output to c++'s input
$ java MyTest | ./my_receive