Skype using java API (Skype4Java)

In this blog, we are going to learn about  Java library for Skype API and a simple use case to
demonstrate message sending feature.

Skype4Java is a wrapper library of Skype API for Java developers. This library wraps the transport layer of Skype API and contains application level APIs.Using Skype4Java enables developers to make plug-ins on multiple platforms and use good IDEs, libraries, and frameworks. This project supports many functions of the Skype API. They started implementation of Skype 2.5 and 2.6 functions.

Koji Hisano <hisano@gmail.com>, eflow Inc. and Skype Technologies S.A. have the copyright of Skype API for Java. Please, use this in user's self-responsibility.


First step in configuration is to download the Skype4Java API. To download the library, Click here

• Extract the compressed file(skype_1.0.zip) into your local hard drive.
• Check the directory namely release under skype directory and append the absolute path of the release directory to  PATH environmental variable. [MS Windows]
• skype.jar and swt.jar of release directory should be placed under CLASSPATH environment variable.

N.B. : You might need to restart your machine after setting PATH and CLASSPATH variables.

Now, Start your Skype and log in using valid user name and password.

This sample java class will illustrate you the usage of ContactList and Friends classes. I have written this class for displaying all friends Id from my Skype contact list.

package com.sarf.skype4java;

import com.skype.ContactList;
import com.skype.Friend;
import com.skype.Skype;
import com.skype.SkypeException;

public class ContactLister {
  public void getAllFriend() 
    throws SkypeException, InterruptedException
    {
     //Getting all the contact list for log in Skype
     ContactList list = Skype.getContactList();
     Friend fr[] = list.getAllFriends();
     //Printing the no of friends Skype have
     System.out.println(fr.length);
     //Iterating through friends list
     for(int i=0; i < fr.length; i++)
     {
       Friend f = fr[i];
       //Getting the friend ID
       System.out.println("Friend ID :"+f.getId());
       Thread.sleep(100);
       }
     }
     public static void main(String[] args) t
       throws SkypeException, InterruptedException {
       ContactLister objCL = new ContactLister();
       objCL.getAllFriend();
     }
   }

We can also send message to the people using a simple java class. The below excerpt is for sending message to the people in your contact list.

package com.sarf.skype4java;
import com.skype.ContactList;
import com.skype.Friend;
import com.skype.Skype;
import com.skype.SkypeException;

public class MessageSender {
  public void getAllFriend() 
   throws SkypeException, InterruptedException
   {
     //Getting all the contact list for log in Skype
     ContactList list = Skype.getContactList();
     Friend fr[] = list.getAllFriends();
     //Printing the no of contacts of your skype
     System.out.println(fr.length);
     //Iterating through friends list
     for(int i=0; i < fr.length; i++)
     {
        Friend f = fr[i];
        // Sending message here
        f.send("Good evening "+f.getId());
        Thread.sleep(100);
       }
    }
     
    public static void main(String[] args) 
     throws SkypeException, InterruptedException {
      MessageSender objCL = new MessageSender();
      objCL.getAllFriend();
      }
  }

OOps.. Your Skype application will block you by saying "Another program is trying to access Skype.This can be a potential security risk. What would you like to do?"

A common dialog window or a message dialog in your Skype application window will be opened asking you to give permission as shown below:

Select Allow this program to use skype click on OK button.