I have a java program that runs on a couple different computers and I want to be able to be able to access them remotely. I don't need to do anything crazy, just some very basic input output (get and set type stuff). I could write a client type application and set each program to a server with RMI and do it that way but I will not always be on the same computer and do not want to have to carry the .java file around with me.
I'd prefer to write a simple php webpage that I can access from anywhere and have some very basic buttons that could send the commands to the different Applications and receive back some output.
Problems is that it would probably impossible to get my host to load anything other then php onto the server where I'd host my webpage.
Does anyone have any ideas? I've tried googling it and found a couple things out there that sort of sound like what I need but the more I look into them they seem to not be what I wanted after all.
Based on the way you described your setup you'll probably run into routing issues trying to reach your Java apps from your PHP host. I'd recommend you try something else: have your Java apps frequently check with your PHP app if there are any updates. You can simply use a Java URL connection and a timer:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/Timer.html
http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/net/URL.html
If you really want to do this right I'd suggest looking at a Java web framework (I use Play! myself) to create a RESTful web service and then sending requests from your PHP code that will fetch JSON data.
A framework like Play will make it very easy to get a REST web service running. Just create some wrappers that invoke your existing java code and call renderJSON to output the result.
From the PHP code you'll issue the request using curl and then read the response using json_decode which will turn it into a handy php variable.
This also has the advantage that either end can be changed without the other noticing, as long as the json data format is kept the same.