Sun may have streamlined its Java development process and intensified its marketing around the openess of the programming language and platform, but some smaller partners are still not happy.
Sun may have streamlined its Java development process and intensified its marketing around the openess of the programming language and platform, but some smaller partners are still not happy.
I know, let’s split the JCP into two groups. In one group the larger vendors will have more votes based on how big they are and in the other group everybody (small and large vendors) has an equal vote. Then, before any changes can be made, both groups have to agree on it. This plan is so brilliant! I can’t believe nobody’s ever thought of it before!
Seriously though, I don’t think it’s really possible to satisfy everybody. Open Source and big business seem to have fundamental disagreements. I’m not sure you can please one without alienating the other.
Until Java is completely open source, there’s always going to be someone that’s unhappy.
Even if you open source java there are going to be people that are going to be unhappy.
there are many java developers out there. join classpath. its a great project and you learn many things how java works internaly
sometimes I roll my eyes – please explain to me why open sourcing java would be its second coming ?
sometimes I roll my eyes – please explain to me why open sourcing java would be its second coming ?
Because that’s what everyone seems to want. I don’t care one way or another, but a lot of people want it. Why do you think the Apache project is writing a Java VM?
Not quite. At least that’s not what they are saying. Apparently it is all about how you use the word “free” in relation to software. The people who want it open sourced want all their software free of any sort of company control. Apparently that is the only way these people feel safe using software.
Buy into it if you want. Personally, I think a whole lot of noise is being made only because Java is popular and isn’t controlled by the OSS folks. These OSS folks can make a lot of noise sometimes.
please explain to me why open sourcing java would be its second coming ?
It would take away doubts about the future of the platform. Nobody that is coding for “the ages” likes the prospect of investing in a platform, that might be doomed to fall with the desintegration of its parent entity.
Or are we to assume that Sun Microsystems will exist forever? If Sun can pull that off, by all means let them, we’re happy to have Sun, but can we trust on it?
Having the keys to the treasure chest is simply reassuring. Java is fundamental plumbing and having it under a license that “lasts” is insurrance against abandonment.
I think Sun should CDDL it.
It would take away doubts about the future of the platform. Nobody that is coding for “the ages” likes the prospect of investing in a platform, that might be doomed to fall with the desintegration of its parent entity.
I never really understood this argument. If you don’t like the platform, don’t use it. if you are worried about Java’s future if Sun should go under, use something else that isn’t dependent on a corporation, like C++.
Or you could make use of one of the Free Java implementations like Kaffe, SableVM and GCJ. I really do not see any reason for demanding Sun to open source their version of Java.
There is a lot of paranoia about Java’s future should Sun go under. There is no hint that Sun is about to go under. Even if they did, there will be a lot more interest in the current crop of Free Java VMs and we will see more commercial companies backing these projects. Till then, most Java programmers are happy with the Java runtime provided by Sun.
No way. As a matter of fact I have heard way more against making Java open source than for it.
I would like Java to be open sourced in a non-restrictive manner so that I can run it flawlessly on alternative platforms. People seem to forget that there are more OSes out there than just Windows/Linux/MacOS X/(Open)Solaris.
I personally would like to be able to run recent versions of Java reliably on the BSDs.
I’m sure platforms like Syllable and the BeOS clones such as Haiku would also greatly benefit from a reliable and complete open sourced Java.
On a positive note, GCJ and ClassPath are coming along very nicely and I am extemely impressed. They are already quite usable for some people.
I agree with where you are coming from. I’ve given up on running PPC Linux because there are quite a few applications/libraries that are missing, most notably Flash and Java.
However, forcing Macromedia and Sun to open up their products isn’t the only way. I think it would be better to show support for open sourced VMs like Kaffe and the GPL Flash plugin. Use them, send in bug reports and contribute in other ways ($$$ would help, I’m sure). If you aren’t willing to spend $$$ to support open sourced projects, why oh why should commercial companies even bother?