Running Java Application with no desktop environment.
 

Hello Everybody,

I can't determine this thread is suitable for this forum. But I am a Newbie.

I am trying to develop video streaming application that use VLC media player and VLCJ (Java Binding for VLC). The only reason I choose Linux platform for this application is its customizable feature.

Is it possible to support Java (JVM) in Linux without user interface (no desktop environment)?
Java application can contain user interfaces (swing) but java has its own look and feel. I am not sure it is possible to run java application with no desktop environment.

If anyone have an answer, let me know.

I want a Linux OS that run my Java application as soon as it start without showing other graphical interface (even desktop). Is it possible?

If you have a solution, let me know.

Since the application you mention is a streaming application, then presumably it will be running as a server. All linux distros support running servers, and you only need to boot to run level 3 so no desktop environment either.

The clients on the other hand ...

Sure, you can run java all day long with no desktop ie xwindows running. But you can't use the javax.swing or java.awt components that generate frames, buttons, pulldowns, etc. You have to stay in a command line environment.

Hi

Thanks for your replies.
How can I configure a Linux with x window system to meet the following criteria.

At first, I want the system to run my application every time it start running.
I want to reduce start up time. Other software and Linux components such as administration tools (even text editor)are never run on that system. The user will interact only with my application. So I don't want to install software packages that are not concerned with my application. In this case VLC medial player and Java Virtual Machine.

How can I do?
Which distribution is suitable to do so?
Can I build my own Linux box to meet above specifications?

Welcome any suggestion.

Thanks.

Ubuntu is a really small distro with a nice x desktop environment, it fits on a single cdr, so not a lot of bloat to that one. There is a media player that plays music and videos, and will automatically download any codecs if it doesn't have the one it needs for a specific media file.

Turn off all the services you don't need at startup, that will make your boot time a lot faster. I wouldn't go so far as to uninstall it all.

Go to http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp and download a linux java jre, install it, and you're there.