Question

I am trying to create a text-based game in Java similar to Zork and put it on a web server after I’m done and so I have decided to make the program an applet. My question is this: How do I display and input strings that are normally displayed through System.out.println and System.in? I know that I can create a JPanel and display text through a JTextArea but I want the console to be emulating a terminal like the one I am currently using shown here:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/6879721298_323e72cc92_z.jpg

Is there any way to add a frame that will display the emulator inside of it or incorporate a console to display the strings outputted by the System.out.println?

Answer 1

Is there any way to add a frame that will display the emulator inside of it or incorporate a console to display the strings outputted by the System.out.println?

It is technically possible to redirect the system in, err & out streams, but note that it requires a trusted app. (digitally signed by the developer, user clicks ‘OK’ when prompted at the scary dialog) to do it. OTOH it would be better to design¹ a different version of the software for a GUI that puts the output directly into a text area or similar (for output) & accepts it from a text field (for input).

Another alternative for a sand-boxed app. (very kludgy, but possible), is to log the output to the anonymous logger. Add a log handler to retrieve that output and display it. Using logging does solve app. output, but not user input.

1. Or rather, the best design would be to have the logic independent of input/output device, and use that logic in both command line & GUI versions.

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I now note the screen-shot says ‘Dragon Console’. How does that differ in functionality from the Windows ‘Command Prompt’?