# QueryBuilder and UpdateBuilder

Another option to call the Internet Computer canisters from Java is to use **QueryBuilder** and **UpdateBuilder**. 

Use these options if direct manipulation with Candid data is required or there is a requirement for dynamic invocation.

Create byte\[] array binary Candid payload as an input argument using [IDLArgs](/reference/api-reference/using-idlargs.md).

```java
List<IDLValue> args = new ArrayList<IDLValue>();
BigInteger intValue = new BigInteger("10000");
args.add(IDLValue.create(intValue));
IDLArgs idlArgs = IDLArgs.create(args);
byte[] payload = idlArgs.toBytes();
```

## QueryBuilder

[QueryBuilder](https://github.com/ic4j/ic4j-agent/blob/master/src/main/java/org/ic4j/agent/QueryBuilder.java) **Method create** has 3 arguments, agent, canister id principal and method name.&#x20;

Optionally, the **expiration time** can be set using Methods **expireAfter** or **expireAt.**&#x20;

Pass binary payload as a parameter of **arg** method and execute using **Method** **call**.

```java
CompletableFuture<byte[]> response = QueryBuilder
	.create(agent, Principal.fromString(canisterid), "echoInt")
	.expireAfter(Duration.ofMinutes(3))
	.arg(payload)
	.call();
```

## UpdateBuilder

[UpdateBuilder](https://github.com/ic4j/ic4j-agent/blob/master/src/main/java/org/ic4j/agent/UpdateBuilder.java) uses very similar syntax to Method **create,** but has one extra method, **callAndWait ,**&#x69;f explicit [Waiter](https://github.com/ic4j/ic4j-agent/blob/master/src/main/java/org/ic4j/agent/Waiter.java) definition is required.

```java
CompletableFuture<byte[]> response = UpdateBuilder
	.create(agent, Principal.fromString(canisterid), "greet")
	.expireAfter(Duration.ofMinutes(3))
	.arg(payload)
	.callAndWait(Waiter.create(60, 5));
```

Use this to convert response payload to Java objects from binary Candid response payload.

```java
byte[] output = response.get();
IDLArgs outArgs = IDLArgs.fromBytes(output);
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ic4j.com/reference/api-reference/querybuilder-and-updatebuilder.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.