java Runtime.exec to run shell script - cannot open file

Question

I am using Runtime.getRuntime().exec() to run a shell script from java code.

    String[] cmd = {\"sh\",  \"build.sh\", \"/Path/to my/sh file\"};
    try{
           


        

Answer 1

The problem is that the "sh" command is unable to resolving the relative path "build.sh" to an absolute path. The most likely explanation is that "build.sh" is not in the current directory when you launch the command.

Assuming that "/Path/to my/sh file" string is the path to the "build.sh" file, you need to run it like this:

String[] cmd = {"/bin/sh",  "/Path/to my/sh file/build.sh"};
try {
    Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmd);
    ...

(.... or the equivalent using ProcessBuilder)

On the other hand, if the "/Path/to my/sh file" string is supposed to be an argument to the "build.sh" script, then you need to run it like this:

String[] cmd = {"/bin/sh", "/some/dir/build.sh", "/Path/to my/sh file"};
try {
    Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmd);

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@fge's answer gives an alternative approach. He is setting the current directory for the child process before it is launched. That is the correct solution for your updated Question.