Need some tips for start up

Question

Hello everybody,
Very first post here and absolutely a beginner to java.Looking 4 a flying start.This is what i would like to do and if somebody can guide me how i could go step by step would be greatful.Here it goes...........
At first, a program should be written that runs on two PCs, at least one of the PCs having Matlab installed. There should be a stand-alone user interface which is connected to the main program via network sockets, i.e. via the internal loopback interface. The user can select files belonging to a project, specify a string giving the
Matlab command for the desired function and give the names of the variables he wants to get back. Furthermore, IP-address of the desired remote machine, password and so on have to be input.
If all inputs are done and given to the main program, this program connects to the chosen remote entity and sends the files, commands and variables to it.
I would be glad if somebody can gimmi a start up.
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

first of all try doing what your trying to do in a stand alone enviorment.... it sould not be that complecated....
to execute external commands have a look at Runtime, Process etc
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/api/java/lang/Runtime.html
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/api/java/lang/Process.html
then create a client server interface, and start by getting the client and server comunicate by simple messaging and then do the other more complecated data exchanges....
to get the comunication part done have a look at ServerSocket, Socket etc.
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/api/java/net/ServerSocket.html
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/api/java/net/Socket.html
hope this helps
oaq