Automatically authenticate a user in Sharepoint without showing the browser dialog box

Question

I am developing a J2EE web application using spring. I need to integrate access to Sharepoint. I am able to list the folders and documents in a document library using the various webservices exposed by Sharepoint.

I want to download a document directly from the Sharepoint Document Library using the URL of the document. When I try to do that the browser prompts me for credentials. After I am authenticated, I am able to download the document.

But, I don't want to show the authentication prompt to a user. Is there a way to programmatically authenticate the user without showing the dialog box? I am fine if it is not secure.

Answer 1

I have exactly the same problem. This blog post may help but I couldn't try it, yet.