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Article from MacHacking.net Knowledge Base: http://kb.machacking.net

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Title: A very quick introduction to Java
Author: patrickoehlinger
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This is a tutorial from macosxhints.com
(If you use this on your site, please do not edit anything, including this information at the top.)

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Mac OS X has a great Java environment. Wanna get started? Write a quick app to control iTunes (or any other AppleScriptable App).  The following Java file will help you control iTunes:
 
import com.apple.cocoa.foundation.*;

public class iTunesControl {

  public void play() {    doScript("tell application \"itunes\" to play"); }
  public void pause() {   doScript("tell application \"itunes\" to pause"); }
  public void next() {    doScript("tell application \"itunes\" to next track"); }
  public void previous() {doScript("tell application \"itunes\" to previous track"); }
  
  private void doScript(String script) {
        
    // This creates a new NSAppleScript
    // object to execute the script
    NSAppleScript myScript = new NSAppleScript(script);

    // This dictionary holds any errors that are
    // encountered during script execution
    NSMutableDictionary errors = new NSMutableDictionary(); 

    // Execute the script!
    myScript.execute(errors); 
  }
}

 To use the com.apple.cocoa.foundation.* lib provided with every version of OS X, type:
 setenv CLASSPATH /System/Library/Java/: 

 Read the rest of the article for instructions on how to use the above class...

An easy way to play around with the iTunesControl class would be:
 
public class music {
  public static void main(String[] args) { 
    iTunesControl cont = new iTunesControl();

    if(args[0].equals("play"))      cont.play();
    if(args[0].equals("pause"))     cont.pause();
    if(args[0].equals("next"))      cont.next();    
    if(args[0].equals("previous")) cont.previous();
  }
}

 To get started, try the following steps: 
Save the first file as iTunesControl.java 
Save the second file as music.java 
Start the Terminal an d change in the directory where you stored the above files 
To set the correct classpath, type in the Terminal: setenv CLASSPATH "/System/Library/Java/:" 
Now compile the Java files with: javac *.java 
Start iTunes with: java music play 
Next Song with: java music next 
Same for: pause and previous 
Hopefully this helps you get started with Java and AppleScript

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Article from MacHacking.net Knowledge Base: http://kb.machacking.net