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Get local hostname in java

I would like to get the name of the host running my code.

I use the code below.
Unfortunately, this throws the exception, so something doesn't work.
Strangely enough however, the exception is:
java.net.UnknownHostException: Sylvanas: Sylvanas
at java.net.InetAddress.getLocalHost(InetAddress.java:1353)
at GetXML.main(GetXML.java:10)

Which contains the answer I'm looking for: "Sylvanas"
Why do I get an exception, and why does the exception contain the answer to my question, instead of "couldn't-find-it"

try {
  java.net.InetAddress localMachine = java.net.InetAddress.getLocalHost();
  System.out.println("Hostname of local machine: " + localMachine.getHostName());
} catch (java.net.UnknownHostException uhe) {
  System.out.println("Exception: " + uhe.getStackTrace());
}

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Mick Barry

because it can't find the ip address

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mick Barry

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letharion

ASKER

Ok, maybe I have misunderstood what the function does.
Is there another way to get the hostname, so I can avoid the exception?
I could in theory parse the name from the exception, but that'd be really ugly.

Otherwise I'll just pass $(uname -n) as arg when calling the program, which relies on a *nix platform, but solves my problem.

SOLUTION

wily1

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Mick Barry

Suggest investigating why it cannot determine your ip

letharion

ASKER

objects:
Is that important for any other reason? Do I have other potential problems waiting for me? Otherwise I'll just pass in the data from uname and be happy.

Mick Barry

probably not, its a bit weird though.

letharion

ASKER

Yeah, I was a bit surprised too
Thanks for the input