Problem Using Sockets and BufferedReader

[Suparn Gupta]

I wrote this simple java program which connects to internic server and returns the domain details. However, I am facing a strange problem. I may sound dumb but here is the program!

import java.io.*;
import java.net.*;
public class SocketTest {
public static void main(String[] args){
    String hostName;
    int i = 0;
    try{                  
    Socket socketClient = new Socket("whois.internic.net", 43);
    BufferedReader bf = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(System.in));
    InputStream in = socketClient.getInputStream();
    OutputStream out = socketClient.getOutputStream();
    System.out.println("Please Enter the Host Name!!");
    hostName = bf.readLine();      
    hostName = hostName + "\n";
    byte[] buf = hostName.getBytes();
    out.write(buf);
    while((i = in.read())!= -1){
        System.out.print((char)i);
    }
    socketClient.close();
    }

    catch(UnknownHostException uht){
        System.out.println("Host Error");
    }

    catch(IOException ioe){
    System.out.println("IO Error " + ioe);
    }

    catch(Exception e){
        System.out.println("Exception " + e);
    }
}

}

The Problem: The program runs fine (I mean no errors/exception during runtime). But it shows no output when I try to print the result from internic server in the last piece of try block. I tried rearranging the code and found that if I place the bf.readLine() after creating socket streams, there is no output. However, if I place it before the socket creation (at the start of main method), the program displays intended output.

Is there any stream conflict or so? I am a newbie to networking in Java. The solution may be obvious but i am not able to understand! Please help me!!!

[Rob Spoor]

Welcome to the Ranch!
I've tried it as well, and I think the problem lies with internic.net. I've tried a telnet session, and the connection got dropped after a few seconds. If I respond very quickly then it works. I've then tried your program, and it too works if I type in the host name immediately. If I wait just a bit too long, internic.net cuts off the connection.

My advice: read the domain name first, then create the socket connection and write to / read from it immediately.

And could you please UseCodeTags next time? Thanks.

[Suparn Gupta]

Hi! Thanks a ton! You are right! +1
I tried typing the input as fast as possible and its showing me the correct result. I ll use code tags next time for sure.
have a nice time!