Cheapest/best way to run a tiny java application on a server?

toString · 30 Aug 2008 at 23:46

As title really...

A very small irc bot that will be run in a single channel which just outputs some information when people ask for it.

Have it running on my computer in a cmd.exe window, which isn't ideal, obviously! What would the cheapest/best way of getting it hosted some how?

I doubt my (shared hosting) would run java apps at command line.

Thanks for any info

KA

Una · 31 Aug 2008 at 00:13

Some hosts do actually allow you ssh access and background processes - however these are becoming more and more rare these days. Cheapest way would be to run it on an university server you have access too if possible =)

toString · 31 Aug 2008 at 00:53

No access to a uni server lol. And in ssh if I type java or javac it doesn't find the applications so I guess that's off. And I'm pretty sure they don't allow you to run processes.

Just wondering what sort of prices I'd be looking at to do something like this really. Running another computer myself isn't really an option either.

toString · 31 Aug 2008 at 16:29

I'm assuming at most, I'd need a dedicated server, but I'm wondering if it's possible to do this on VDS. Does anyone have any ideas?

Una · 31 Aug 2008 at 16:46

KingAdora said:
I'm assuming at most, I'd need a dedicated server, but I'm wondering if it's possible to do this on VDS. Does anyone have any ideas?

You won't no. Like I said there are shell hosting providers out there who allow background processes.. Just google around because I can't recommend any these days

daz · 31 Aug 2008 at 16:57

VDS would probably work - but Java is a bit of a memory hog, isn't it?

toString · 31 Aug 2008 at 17:03

I'm not really sure, according to my task manager java.exe is using 3,600 K. But I'm not sure 'what else' is running, and where.
I guess I'll just search for some VDS hosts and see what they say, although I think reg1's VDS isn't the same as everyone elses.

Dazzy_G · 31 Aug 2008 at 17:06

daz said:
VDS would probably work - but Java is a bit of a memory hog, isn't it?

not when its running on Solaris

http://contextshift.co.uk/ - Are very good so im told, lots of my friends use them, and a few also run Java IRC bots. got to love the PircBot

toString · 31 Aug 2008 at 17:33

Thanks for the link, seems to be down for me right now, virgin media I guess..

But yeah PircBot is the package I used, great stuff!

Edit: works now

http://contextshift.co.uk/shells

£7.50 a year sounds VERY reasonable! I think I'll contact them first though.

Dazzy_G · 31 Aug 2008 at 17:48

says on the shells section

IRC Clients
Includes BNCs, Bots

So im pretty sure its alright. Jibble, the pircbot writer went to my Uni, thats where most of the bots my mates have got running live, on internal IRC network.

kiwi · 2 Sep 2008 at 08:41

You could deploy in it tomcat?

darude · 8 Mar 2009 at 13:56

Could I run my own instance of Tomcat with ContextShift?