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javaruntimeescapingspace

Spaces in java execute path for OS X

On OS X, I am trying to .exec something, but when a path contains a space, it doesn't work. I've tried surrounding the path with quotes, escaping the space, and even using \u0020.

For example, this works:

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("open /foldername/toast.sh");

But if there's a space, none of these work:

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("open /folder name/toast.sh");

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("open \"/folder name/toast.sh\"");

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("open /folder\\ name/toast.sh");

Runtime.getRuntime().exec("open /folder\u0020name/toast.sh");

Ideas?

Edit: Escaped backslash... still no worky.

Solution

  • There's a summary of this problem on Sun's forums... seems to be a pretty common issue not restricted to OS X.

    The last post in the thread summarizes the proposed solution. In essence, use the form of Runtime.exec that takes a String[] array:

    String[] args = new String[] { "open", "\"/folder name/toast.sh\"" };

    or (the forum suggests this will work too)

    String[] args = new String[] { "open", "folder name/toast.sh" };