XWindows and Java

Often in our java code, we use AWT or SWING packages. The application runs fine in windows machines(usually development environments are in windows machines). But when we try to run those java applications in Linux/Unix box, we face problem in running. Because It uses the native graphics toolkits for rendering, but Linux/Unix doesn't have graphics toolkits installed.

XWindows is a package, when installed, gives the Linux/Unix the graphics toolkit ability.

But in most practical cases, you are not the ROOT user of the box. So you have to raise a request to infrastructure team for installing the XWindows package. And they will ask you hundreds of questions like:

why you need it?

are you sure you need it?

prove us, that XWindows will solve your problem etc etc...

You want to be very sure that installing XWindows will solve your problem. For this, you may follow these steps:

1. CYGWIN is an application, using which you can simulate Linux like facilities in your windows machine. Install CYGWIN in your system from here. While installing, it will give you options regarding which packages you want to install. Make sure the X11 packages are all selected.
2. Put your application jar into the remote machine, where your application is supposed to run.
3. Open CYGWIN window and run "startxwin.bat". It will start the xserver and open a new window. Or you can directly open XWin Server from the start-menu under Cygwin-x.
4. In the new window add the remote machine ip in the access control list. Using the command "xhost ". "xhost  /remote machine ip/ "
5. In the remote machine set the DISPLAY property as: "export DISPLAY=/local machine ip/:0.0" . By doing this, you are directing the remote machine, to use the display of you local machine for rendering.
6. Now run the application in you remote machine. It should run fine.

Now that you are able to run your application using XWINDOWS, you can confidently go and command Infra team, that this is exactly what you want.

If you face any issues, please post it here, I will try to help you out.

Hope this makes your life easier. Because I had a hard time convincing my Infra team.