Using Runtime.getRuntime().exec results in Cannot run program "": error=0, posix_spawn failed

[Sanja404]

Most appropriate sub-area of Processing 4?

Accessibility

Processing version

4.1.1

Operating system

MacOSX

Steps to reproduce this

Version: Processing 4.4.1
OS: macOS [specify your version, for example, 15.1.1 (24B91)]

Problem:
In Processing 4.4.1, the say command (text-to-speech via macOS) does not work, causing an error:

Copy
Cannot run program "say": error=0, posix_spawn failed
I tried all the suggested solutions (changing permissions, alternative methods via osascript), but the problem persists.

Solution:
Reverted to Processing 4.3.4 - the say function works correctly.

Suggestions:
Add a check for say compatibility with new macOS versions in Processing 4.4.1+.

Specify in the documentation that speech synthesis on macOS 15+ may require a rollback to 4.3.4.

Consider alternative methods of voicing (for example, via FreeTTS or system APIs).

Context:

Java version: 17.0.14

Tested on: Mac mini (M1/M2)

snippet

// Paste your code below :)

void setup() {

}

void draw() {

}

Additional context

No response

Would you like to work on the issue?

Is this within my capabilities?

[Stefterv]

Are you using this example: https://frontiernerds.com/text-to-speech-in-processing ?

[Stefterv]

Hi @Sanja404 Thank you for raising this issue, I've looked into it and it seems to be a bug with the way we import the JDK. For now the solution is indeed to revert to 4.3.4.

We'll see if this upcoming alternative for including the JDK will solve this issue. Otherwise I will create a separate fix

[Stefterv]

Turns out it was an issue with setting the permissions in the JDK, added the lib folder to the folders with executables and that fixed it. Will include in the next release