How do I determine if a Java InputStream has data that is available to
be read without checking the return value of the available() method
based on a timer?

Hi integragreg-ga,

Your best bet is to create a new thread that blocks on the
InputStream.read() function.  This thread will become asynchonously
and automatically unblocked once there is data available.  You can
handle the incoming data in that new thread or synchronize back with
your main program once the data is available.  Of course, it all
depends on what you are doing with the data...

Check the javasoft docs at 

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/api/java/io/InputStream.html#read()

for more information about the read() function.

If you want some sample source, give a holler. :)

Good luck,
Bill

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the response.  I would greatly appreciate a code snippet if
you have time.  I am developing a class that connects to a remote host
and needs to asynchronously unblock as you suggest.

Just FYI, once data is received on the InputStream, I am going to
remove a 32-bit header and pass the remaining bytes in the inputstream
up to another class for processing.  FWIW, I am implementing RFC 1006
in Java.

Cheers,

Greg