Java's Runtime.exec and External Applications

Java was developed with an eye toward platform independence, freeing the software developer from the unpleasant and tedious task of cross-platform porting and testing of software. All too often, however, developers are not able to write completely new applications, but have to interface to existing legacy software and operating systems. This poses a problem as Java cannot make use of many utilities and system-dependent features that these programs have relied upon in the past...

• Java's Runtime.exec and External Applications