New to Java

I'm tasked with creating a GUI for a multi-threaded C++ network server program that has it's main function running with a while loop that checks for keystrokes from the user. The C++ code for the loop is basically:

while(i!='q')
{

if(kbhit())
{
i=getch();
processkey(i);
}
}

And the processkey function performs different actions based on the key that was pressed.

I was reading up on ways to interface between Java and C/C++ and heard of JNI, but I also found someone who suggested using the Java Robot class to send the keystrokes from my GUI to the C++ program.

I've been trying to make a small test case application using the Robot class before trying to implement it in my larger project.

I created a program with a JFrame with two buttons, one starts a simple C++ program that loops, waiting for keypresses and which will close when 'q' is pressed, like my main program.

private void jButton1ActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {

        try {
            Runtime.getRuntime().exec("C:/Users/Administrator1/Desktop/Untitled2.exe");
            // TODO add your handling code here:
        } catch (IOException ex) {
            Logger.getLogger(NewJFrame.class.getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex);
        }
        // TODO add your handling code here:
    }

The other button creates a Robot instance and tells that robot to send a key press of 'q', which should terminate the C++ program.

private void jButton3ActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
      
        try {
            
            Robot robot = new Robot();
            // Creates the delay of 5 sec so that you can open notepad before
            // Robot start writting
            //robot.delay(5000);
            robot.keyPress(KeyEvent.VK_Q);
            
            
        } catch (AWTException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

    }

It isn't working though. Could it be because when the program is started from my Java app, it runs in the background rather than opening in a new command prompt window? Or is Robot not the way to go, and if so, are there any examples and/or tutorials online that could help me?