Check domain availability Java

Question

Is there a relatively simple way in Java to check if a domain is available or not?

I need a reliable method, so only checking if the connection can be made is not enough.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Domain availability depends on having a whois client. Here is a link to an implementation of a whois client in Java:

Java Whois Client

You'll need to parse the results - and depending on what whois server you use, you may (will) have varying formats that are returned. The best thing to do is to pay for a commercial whois/registration service such as OpenSRS. They have an extensive API which you can use as a registered reseller. Here are the API docs:

http://opensrs.com/resources/documentation/opensrs_xmlapi.pdf

HTH,

-aj

Answer 2

Performing a DNS lookup on the domain is the easiest solution. All available domains will have no DNS record, and most registrars assign a default DNS entry upon registration.

WHOIS lookups will be your most reliable solution, particularly behind an ISP that spoofs their own server (with a "domain not found" page filled with ads) for any missing domain name.

Answer 3

There's a good Whois Java client here:

http://www.skytouch.com/soft/java/whois.html

You can run it from the command line or interface with it directly:

// don't include the www        
Whois.main(new String[] {"skytouch.com"});