Re: Why does JavaXPCOM require XULRunner?

On Saturday 09 February 2008, Jack Smith wrote:
Dear Jack,

> This question has probably been asked a million times, but after searching
> the archives I didn't find anything: Is it possible to use JavaXPCOM to
> make Java apps communicate with Firefox extensions, or is it truly
> XULRunner-only?

As of today, this is the status of a "Java app" <-> "Firefox extensions"
communication using JavaXPCOM:
-> YES: embed xulrunner (firefox) with your extension into 
   your java app and communicate with the extension from java code
-> NO: run firefox with your exception and call some java code
   from it

> I made a sidebar Firefox extension to act as the GUI for a command-line
> Java app I wrote. The only problem is that the communication is one-way --
> I can use nsIProcess to launch the .j		ar file from the extension, but it
> can't receive any information back as the app is running!
Do you know liveconnect?
http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/LiveConnect
As far as I understand your usecase, liveconnect is the technology
you are looking for.

Or, some Firefox extension use for the communication with
a java program http or stdin/stdout. Although not an ideal 
communication channel, sometimes it is really the easiest way.

best regards,
Michal