Build Your Own Messaging Application in Java with jYMSG

nstant messaging represents a medium via which messaging partners can interact in a synchronous fashion. Correspondence can occur in a near "instant" manner. Chances are the majority of workgroups in your company rely on one of the "big four" instant messaging programs: AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Lotus Sametime, or Yahoo! Instant Messenger. Yahoo! Instant Messenger in particular has accumulated a significant following because of its easy to use, rich graphical user interface. Facilities such as the ability to leave "offline" instant messages make Yahoo! Instant Messenger particularly attractive. If Yahoo turns out to be the instant messaging application that makes the most sense for you to use, then you'll certainly want to know about jYMSG.

YMSG (without the j) is the protocol used by Yahoo's instant messaging and chat software. jYMSG is a Java API that allows you to interact programmatically with Yahoo's messaging and chat services. For example, with jYMSG you can have an instant message sent to your system administrator from your J2EE application server when a critical error requiring attention occurs. Sending a Yahoo instant message via Java is made quite easy with jYMSG. This article shows you how to build a Swing-based application through which you can instant message your Yahoo messaging partners. Though it will not be as feature rich as the Yaoo! Instant Messenger client, you will get a good introduction to the power of jYMSG.