What is the best way to call java from python? (jython and RPC are not an option for me).
I've heard of JCC: http://pypi.python.org/pypi/JCC/1.9 a C++ code generator for calling Java from C++/Python But this requires compiling every possible call; I would prefer another solution.
I've hear about JPype: http://jpype.sourceforge.net/ tutorial: http://www.slideshare.net/onyame/mixing-python-and-java
import jpype
jpype.startJVM(path to jvm.dll, "-ea")
javaPackage = jpype.JPackage("JavaPackageName")
javaClass = javaPackage.JavaClassName
javaObject = javaClass()
javaObject.JavaMethodName()
jpype.shutdownJVM()
This looks like what I need. However, the last release is from Jan 2009 and I see people failing to compile JPype.
Is JPype a dead project?
Are there any other alternatives?
Regards, David
Answer
You could also use Py4J. There is an example on the frontpage and lots of documentation, but essentially, you just call Java methods from your python code as if they were python methods:
from py4j.java_gateway import JavaGateway
gateway = JavaGateway() # connect to the JVM
java_object = gateway.jvm.mypackage.MyClass() # invoke constructor
other_object = java_object.doThat()
other_object.doThis(1,'abc')
gateway.jvm.java.lang.System.out.println('Hello World!') # call a static method
As opposed to Jython, one part of Py4J runs in the Python VM so it is always "up to date" with the latest version of Python and you can use libraries that do not run well on Jython (e.g., lxml). The other part runs in the Java VM you want to call.
The communication is done through sockets instead of JNI and Py4J has its own protocol (to optimize certain cases, to manage memory, etc.)
Disclaimer: I am the author of Py4J