News and New Product Briefs (4/05/99)
Summary
Kane Scarlett delivers 28 fresh company and product newsbriefs,
including: JDK 1.1.8 Release Candidate preview; Intertainer, General
Instrument build on-demand set-top Java services; eight new and
improved products from alphaWorks; Compaq bundles Visual Café
with servers; DOJ approves AOL/Netscape merger, Sun deal; GammaGraphX
provides print/imaging services for Jini; and IBI creates components
division -- and much more!
By Kane Scarlett (kane.scarlett@javaworld.com)
Index
JDK 1.1.8 Release Candidate preview available
Developers can snag a preview of the JDK 1.1.8 Release Candidate at the
Java Developer Connection.
This JDK 1.1.8 maintenance release is designed so developers can test
existing applications and applets to hunt down major bugs before the
1.1.8 final release. It offers memory and internationalization
improvements and various bug fixes.
The JDK 1.1.8 RC is available for Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 (Intel) and
Solaris (SPARC and x86).
Registration is required to access this site.
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/earlyAccess/jdk118/index.html
Back to index
Tutorial on fine-tuning Java I/O performance
Java Developers Connection and Glen McCluskey offer a tutorial on a
variety of techniques to improve Java I/O performance. The article
focuses on tuning disk file I/O, but it also offers some ideas on
improving network I/O and window output.
The article is broken into low-level I/O issues, such as:
- Basic rules to speed I/O
- Buffering
- Reading and writing text files
- Formatting costs
- Random access
and high-level I/O issues, such as:
- Compression
- Caching
- Tokenization
- Serialization
- Obtaining information about files
The article does not cover application design issues such as choice of
search algorithms and data structures. It also doesn't discuss
system-level issues such as file caching.
Registration for this site is required.
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/Programming/PerfTuning/index.html
Back to index
Two plan Java on-demand services for set-tops
Intertainer and General Instrument (GI), US cable set-top box
suppliers, plan to include Java-based video and music on-demand
services in their digital set-top boxes later this year.
Intertainer cofounder and co-CEO Jonathan Taplin noted that the company
will make its Java-based on-demand services application available for
the upcoming GI DCT-5000 set-top box, planned for a mid-1999 ship date.
The application should make it easy for cable companies to deploy
on-demand entertainment, e-commerce, and advertising services over
broadband networks.
Intertainer also provides user interface, network management, and other
set-top technology so cable operators can develop and deliver new
services.
Back to index
Storm fronts ready to collide over realtime Java
A possible storm front may be brewing between the November
1998-launched, HP-led Real-Time Java Working Group (RTJWG) and the
recently announced Sun-led Real-Time Expert Group (RTEG) over
developing realtime extensions for Java 2.
The power driving the split is the realization that the potential
market for embedded Java is tremendous, what with an emerging belief
that further integration of technology into everyday life depends on
technology being simpler to use and embeddable in everyday items.
According to IBM engineer Greg Bollella, "The opportunity for sales for
realtime devices is so huge, it dwarfs PC sales."
And many companies would rather not have their portion of this market
eternally "taxed" by Sun through royalties and per-unit licenses.
Further clouding this issue is the perception that actions by Microsoft
have attempted to undermine Java by fostering a schism. Also, HP has a
Java-like environment known as Chai that will probably be included as a
part of an upcoming version of Windows CE.
The RTJWG said that its mission is to develop realtime APIs for Java,
in response to complaints about Sun licensing fees that it calls
excessive and Sun's lack of effort to develop realtime extensions.
There is also concern with Sun's new Community Source Licensing model,
which requires a fee upon delivery of a Java-developed product.
Membership in the RTJWG continues to grow.
Sun's RTEG includes IBM, Nortel Networks, Cyberonix, and
Rockwell-Collins (the last two are defectors from the RTJWG), with
input from Aonix, Apogee, Lockheed-Martin, Lucent, Mitsubishi,
Motorola, NIST, and Schneider Automation.
Many participants are hedging their bets by belonging to both groups.
Back to index
Updates and new offerings from alphaWorks
IBM's alphaWorks has been busy. Here is a round up of five recent
product updates and three new products from alphaWorks.
Updates of existing products from IBM's alphaWorks Division:
- Speech for Java, its Java API designed to
incorporate IBM's ViaVoice speech technology into user interfaces,
recently received improvements in runtime resource, audio error
reporting, and event delivery for Swing applications. It runs on
Windows 95/NT platforms.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/speech
- Jax 5.1 is a Java application-packaging tool that
minimizes the distribution size of applications. Jax works by pulling
out the unneeded elements in class files (dead/overridden methods,
unused classes/interfaces, non-essential attributes) and by shortening
internal method and field names, reducing their size by up to 50
percent. This recent upgrade (to version 5.0) contains fixes, as well
as two new features -- one for preserving package names during name
compression and one for including and excluding classes. It runs on any
Java system.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/JAX
- BigDecimal 0.97, affording decimal floating-point
arithmetic in Java applications, incorporates some new changes
suggested by Sun and the alphaWorks forum. It runs on any Java
platform.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/bigdecimal
- TFTP Server 1.19, which implements the Trivial
File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) as a server process (allows TFTP clients
on any host to read and write files to the server), has been enhanced
with more detailed diagnostic messages and fixes for simultaneous
client-access fail errors. It runs on AIX, OS/2, and Windows 95/98/NT.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/TFTP
- Snacc for Java, a Java stub compiler that meets
ASN.1 specifications, has been updated for AIX 4.3.2, Linux 5.1,
Solaris 2.6, and Windows 95/NT. The AIX 4.1 version is no longer
supported. It runs on AIX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows 95/NT.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/snaccforjava
New components from IBM's alphaWorks Division:
- iButton is a suite of two nonvisual beans --
BusinessCard and JavaCard -- that provides a Java interface to the
Dallas Semiconductor iButton. It can be used to interact with JavaCard
applets running inside smart cards based on the Dallas Semiconductor
iButton microprocessor. This version is based on the javax.smartcard
API; a version based on the OpenCard Framework is forthcoming. It
supports JDK 1.1.
http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/ab.nsf/bean/iButton
- NumberFormat classes provide the capabilities of
the JDK NumberFormat, as well as add scientific notation, BigDecimal
support, space padding, and rounding. These classes can be used in
place of standard JDK classes since they have the same names and
support a superset of the API. They are also a subclass of
java.util.Format. It includes a demo applet that lets users experiment
with the settings to see how they behave. You need the JDK applet
viewer. NumberFormat is for all Java platforms, as well as Windows
95/NT.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/numberformat
- Graph Foundation Classes for Java is a framework
for programming with graphs in Java. The graph theoretical and drawing
and layout abilities are housed in separate packages according to
function. It uses the system dictionary to store state data. For Java
platforms, Unix, and Windows 95/98/NT.
http://www.alphaWorks.ibm.com/tech/gfc
Back to index
Novell CTO outlines company's XML strategy
During his closing day address at Novell's recent Brainshare 99
conference, CTO Glenn Ricart discussed the future of the Extensible
Markup Language (XML) in Novell products.
Ricart noted that the contents of Novell Directory Services (NDS) and
NetWare would hold more value for developers if the data could also be
offered in the XML format. Ricart said, "XML is an interesting standard
for representing structured data, and it could be very valuable in
sharing directory information." He added, "XML is ideal for the
interchange of data. For example, objects recognizable within the
directory might be represented in XML and likewise, objects recognized
by the directory might be represented in XML."
Without detailing specific product plans, he did note that XML would be
an asset in "Novell's play for a cross-platform, cross-vendor
application framework."
Back to index
IBM lapping Oracle in the database race?
Preliminary research recently released by market-research firm
Dataquest suggests that IBM has overtaken Oracle's 1997-established
lead in the database software market.
According to "Worldwide DBMS Preliminary Market Statistics: 1998,"
strong sales of IBM System 390 and AS/400 systems, as well as powerful
growth for DB2 (on Unix and NT systems) helped to propel it past
Oracle.
In 1998, IBM's worldwide share of new license revenues reached 32.3
percent, up from 28.9 percent in 1997. At the same time, Oracle's share
dropped to 29.3 percent. Oracle, however, still leads the pack on
relational database management systems and on Unix and NT systems.
An Oracle spokesperson called the findings a statistical anomaly.
Microsoft, Informix, and Sybase came in a respective third, fourth, and
fifth place.
Back to index
Compaq plans server bundle of Visual Café
Compaq and Symantec announced that the system maker will bundle
Symantec's Visual Café Enterprise Suite Java development
environment with Compaq's Tru64 Unix and Windows NT mixed server
environments.
Visual Café Enterprise will be hosted on Intel-based NT
platforms and will deploy and debug Java code on both NT and Tru64 Unix
(the former Digital Alpha) systems.
Back to index
Novell plans to rebuild GroupWise as components
Novell announced plans to turn its GroupWise messaging system into a
component-based platform sometime in 2000. It would come with a backend
server and Web-enabled clients based on XML.
Novell Directory Applications Director John Gailey noted that users
could just choose and deploy the parts of GroupWise they needed (such
as workflow and document management) instead of the whole product. He
said, "This is a way for you to buy exactly what you need."
This version of GroupWise will include an application framework that
exposes all data through XML. Novell Directory Service will be used to
set access privileges. Users could customize the system with their own
custom components.
Back to index
IBM plans XML toolkit for WebSphere Studio
IBM announced plans to integrate an XML toolkit into its WebSphere
Studio application development environment, in a effort to open its
application-server and transaction-processing technologies -- including
MQSeries and the Transarc Lab middleware -- to a wider range of
developers.
At present, existing complex native interfaces and crafted JavaBeans
are the only way developers can access these technologies. An XML
toolkit would be a third avenue to the resource, an avenue that
developers familiar with HTML can use.
According to IBM Software GM Steve Mills, "What customers are looking
for is simplification. They want the system to automatically understand
the transaction semantics that are coming in and choose the right
execution path so the administrators spend less time in setup and it
becomes more transparent."
IBM also intends to use XML tags to integrate various sets of
middleware by mapping functions across the disparate middleware
technologies.
Look for the XML toolkit sometime in the next 12 months.
Back to index
DOJ approves AOL/Netscape merger, Sun alliance
The Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ) approved
America Online's $4.2 billion acquisition of Netscape, as well as its
strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems.
After a thorough investigation, the DOJ decided not to challenge the
merger or the alliance, concluding that neither violates antitrust
law.
Back to index
Symbian, Sun to integrate Java into EPOC wireless devices
At CeBIT 99, Sun and Symbian announced a Memorandum of Understanding
(subject to further negotiation and the formation of a definitive
agreement) to incorporate Java as part of Symbian's standard EPOC
operating system. EPOC is a small-device operating system.
The combination of Java and EPOC offers the ability to deploy
applications in a multiplatform wireless environment. Sun CEO Scott
McNealy noted that "The Wireless Information Device is likely to be one
of the most influential networked devices to drive customers into the
post-PC era, providing a vast new market for wireless networked
services and applications."
Symbian licensees, such as Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Philips, and
Psion will benefit from the easy way Java (and EmbeddedJava and
PersonalJava) lets developers build and deploy lightweight applications
on EPOC-based wireless devices, regardless of processors or operating
systems.
Both companies expect the fruit of this alliance to start showing up
within the next five years.
Back to index
Florida K-12 school students get wearable computers
Dallas Semiconductor announced that Celebration School, a K-12 public
school in Celebration, FL, has given students small, wearable computers
to give them access to classrooms, computers, and Web pages. Dallas
Semiconductor's iButton, a Java chip in a stainless steel case, is the
key for the system.
The programmed iButton lets students into various "doors," whether it's
the door to their homeroom or the door to the Internet. The iButton
presses against a dot on a door or computer, giving the individual
student access to rooms and various levels of Web pages.
The iButton carries individual students' access privileges. In
addition, the iButton can provide a digital signature for e-mailed
homework (the dot receptor costs $15 and can easily hook up to a home
PC); allows for digital attendance (and timestamps, too) to be taken
just by logging into the homeroom door; and can store electronic cash
for in-school purchases.
It includes an optional safeguard that can make the iButton inoperable
if not used within a certain period of time. If it's lost (so it's not
used with the normal frequency), it becomes invalid until the student
logs it on with a personal PIN number.
Back to index
Kaffe VM 1.0.b3-3 for Debian Linux
Debian.org announced Kaffe 1.0.b3-3, a JVM to run Java bytecode on
Debian/GNU Linux systems.
The Kaffe virtual machine is designed to perform just-in-time code
conversion from the abstract code to the host machine's native code,
allowing Java code to execute at the same speed as standard compiled
code.
http://www.debian.org/Packages/unstable/interpreters/kaffe.html
Back to index
Philips, NSI Com build JVM for TriMedia processors
Philips Semiconductors and NSI Com announced that NSI's JSCP Software
Co-Processor for Java software will now run on Philips Semiconductors's
TriMedia VLIW processors.
The TriMedia long-instruction word processor contains a realtime kernel
that can simultaneously support video, audio, graphics, control, data,
and communication-processing tasks. It is found in digital television,
set-top boxes, and videophones.
JSCP is a JVM implementation designed to support embedded applications.
It lets embedded systems run Java programs without compromising the
embedded system's realtime operating system by using a
software-encapsulation technique to enclose the VM in its own
environment. JSCP runs as a standard task in the TriMedia RTOS.
Back to index
GGX to provide print/imaging services for Jini
GammaGraphX (GGX) announced that it will adapt its image and printing
software to provide support services for Sun's Jini
network-connectivity architecture.
Upcoming GGX services will be platform-independent (any JVM will do).
The company plans to extend its current product offerings, as well as
develop a new class of document servers comprised of Jini-compliant
Java programs that support simple and complex workflows that
traditionally follow paper-based information. Its software services
should support device handling, image processing, workflow management,
and transaction monitoring. The company also plans to offer interfaces
to such distribution services as fax, e-mail, and Web publishing.
The company offers a whitepaper ("Designing a Digital Document Server")
that further explains what it intends to do to support Jini, but at
press time, a contact for this paper (or for general information)
wasn't available on the company's site.
Back to index
Platypus JET 2.2 delivers inexpensive, Net-based mainframe access
Platypus Partners announced JET 2.2 and the JET API, a Java software
package that delivers PC access to IBM and Tandem mainframe legacy
applications over the Internet.
JET 2.2 -- a Java-based terminal emulator that lets PC and Unix
workstations access IBM 3270 and Tandem 6530 legacy applications with
an IP address -- integrates new Internet technology with existing
mainframe technology. It comes with its own Windows-like GUI, and
handles file transfer and multiple host configurations from the
desktop. JET supports multiple IBM/Tandem host sessions to any
Java-capable client through a single connection.
JET API is a Java development application that allows developers to
wrap legacy application greenscreens with GUIs that the developer
designs. Developers can write new IBM 3270 user interfaces using the
OHIO draft interface (probably destined to become the next 3270
host-access open standard). Its performance-optimized code supports
Windows, Unix, and Linux environments, and can be used to write Java
applications/applets.
JET 2.2 runs $99 per concurrent user with no server fee. A
single-developer JET API license costs $995 per user with an end-user
runtime license of $59 per concurrent user.
http://www.platypuspartners.com/products.html
Back to index
Cloudscape, MCS embed Java DB into Calypso Message Center
Cloudscape and Micro Computer Systems (MCS) announced an agreement to
integrate Cloudscape's embedded Java database into MCS's Java-based
Calypso Message Center (CMC). CMC is a Java-based system designed to
track and distribute internal e-mail. The Cloudscape database is an
all-Java SQL DBMS that sports a tightly integrated, extensible object
relational database, designed to act as a local data manager embedded
in applications.
CMC comes with server and client software. The server software assigns
incoming mail to the appropriate department and specific agent;
outgoing mail is also routed to the server. The server maintains
statistical information about each message and the responding agent,
and it interfaces with standard e-mail systems. It can also
simultaneously handle messages from various sources. It has the ability
to tap external programs for additional message processing.
The CMC client software defines three types of users that connect to
the server via the Net: the system administrator, department
supervisors, and agents. The system administrator and supervisor
programs let users control e-mail flow, while users can create
ready-to-use messages for instant e-mail acknowledgement, route and
filter messages, and specify security controls.
The Cloudscape database expands the abilities of CMC, making it much
like an automated telephone-call distribution system, but for e-mail.
CMC runs on Windows, NetWare, Unix, and AS/400 platforms. Check with
the company for configuration and pricing options.
Cloudscape: http://www.cloudscape.com/
CMC: http://207.115.144.206/mcs/calypso/cmc/index.htm
Back to index
It's JVMs in the databases
Sybase and Informix have separately announced that Java will become a
more important player in upcoming versions of their main database
products as they both add an embedded virtual machine, evolving the
respective companies' database architectures to three-tier versions
that let business logic be moved off the database and onto the
application server.
Sybase officials said that in spring of 1999, the company will offer
Enterprise Server 12, the next version of its enterprise database that
will come with an embedded JVM. Sybase also announced that it will be
joining Sun to codevelop enterprise applications for Sybase's SQL
Anywhere Studio.
In an unrelated announcement, Informix officials disclosed that the
next version of the Dynamic Server database, code-named "Centaur" and
expected in June 1999, will also include a built-in JVM.
The JVMs in both databases will allow developers to write Java
applications designed to run on an application server atop a relational
database, which will allow a thin client (such as a browser) to front
the architecture.
Database competitor Oracle already offers an embedded JVM in its
database products.
Back to index
Java U. opens at Comdex/Spring
Comdex/Spring, April 19 through 22 in Chicago, will be the site of a
Java University campus.
Sun's two-day Java University conference focuses on skill-oriented Java
training for developers using a variety of languages and systems. It
offers panel discussions for ISVs, resellers, business managers, and
executives. This particular session will deliver:
- Jini details
- How to program Java on Windows 2000
- A fast track to Sun Java Certification
The Java University Developer Program will offer three curriculums:
- Advanced Java Technology
- Java 2 Platform
- Fast-Track Java Platform
Each features one or more full-day lectures that will enable
participants to view Java at the code level. Java U. attendees will get
the Java Developers Almanac by Patrick Chan and a copy of the
Sun Educational Services Java Studio JavaTutor CD.
Also, there will be reseller and business programs that include
half-day technology panels, which will examine Java from a business
owner and nontechnical executive point of view.
http://www.comdex.com/comdex/owa/conference_home?v_conference_id=481
Back to index
Cygnus offers open source Java API test suite
Cygnus Solutions announced the availability of the Java test suite,
open source Java test software that checks Java API compatibility.
The suite is a product of the Open Source Mauve project, a
collaboration started by Cygnus for Java developers without access to
Sun's Java Compatibility Kit. It lets organizations developing
clean-room Java libraries test compatibility of those libraries against
the Java standards without compromising the clean-room
implementations.
Hewlett-Packard has also contributed the compatibility test suites of
its Chai Java-like environment.
The initiative provides a common testing infrastructure for (among
other clean-room implementations):
- GCJ, Cygnus's GNU compiler for Java
- GNU classpath project for clean-room Java libraries
- HP's Chai
- TransVirtual's Kaffe project
http://Sourceware.cygnus.com/mauve
Back to index
O'Reilly releases 'Java Power Reference'
O'Reilly announced the release of Java Power Reference by
David Flanagan, a booklet and searchable, hyperlinked CD-ROM that
documents each and every one of the 1,520 classes and interfaces and 59
packages in Java 2.
The booklet acts as a quick-reference guide to, and overview of, Java
2.
Java Power Reference: A Complete Searchable Resource on CD-ROM
by David Flanagan, February 1999, 1-56592-589-0, 64 pages with CD-ROM,
$19.95.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/jpower/
Back to index
Burton offers CoffeeLink news server
Burton Computer announced CoffeeLink News Server, an NNTP discussion
server written in Java that supports Solaris, Windows NT, and Linux.
The CoffeeLink News Server supports the draft NNTP standard and several
extensions, offering a general level of compatibility with most
existing news clients, such as Communicator and Outlook Express. It
comes with an NNTP server, a configuration program, and an HTML-based
online users manual.
It uses a flexible authorization model to make it easy to control
access to news groups for individuals or groups of individuals. It can
be installed from any computer on the network without having to edit
configuration files or environment variables.
The CoffeeLink News Server runs on any platform with a JDK
1.1-compatible JVM; it has been tested on Solaris 2.6 (SPARC or Intel),
Windows NT 4.0sp3, and Red Hat Linux 5.1. It costs $325 per host, which
includes 60 days of e-mail technical support.
http://www.burton-computer.com/clspecs.html
Back to index
IBI spins off components division
Information Builders (IBI) has created a new business unit -- the
Components Technology Division -- as a focal point to develop and
deliver an enterprise JavaBean application server, integration
JavaBeans, and related Java components. The new division is a part of
IBI's middleware technology initiative.
Vice President John Senor said, "We have recognized the importance of
application integration and have offered robust solutions centered on
enterprise data access, legacy to ERP, and data warehousing." Senor
added, "We are also beginning to see a migration from client/server
architectures to an n-tier model. The formalization of this
new division and the addition of the Parlay application integration
server [a Java app server] allow our client/server customers to
seamlessly transition to a component-based architecture."
The division is headed by General Manager Keith Wimberley, a former
Netscape employee.
Back to index
Sun builds fix for JDK implementation bug
Sun announced a fix for the recently discovered implementation bug that
plagues both the JDK 1.1.x and Java 2 versions, and any third-party
product that uses this code.
The bug, discovered by a German graduate student, lets an untrusted
applet execute unverified code. There are no reports of this bug.
Patches for the problem should appear soon and will be incorporated
into the planned April releases of JDK 1.1.8 and Java 2 1.2.1.
http://java.sun.com/sfaq/chronology.html
Back to index
IBM software GM Steve Mills talks
In a recent InfoWorld interview with Steve Mills, IBM's
general manager of the Software Solutions Division, Mills comments
about IBM's Java strategy for the next 12 months.
When asked about IBM's current approach to Java, Mills said:
The long-term challenge that Sun creates around Java is that as long as
they maintain a very tight licensing control on this, there's always
the potential for the broader community of participants to split in
frustration. Our message to Sun has been consistent and unwavering --
Java is an initiative.
Why did we agree to do this in the beginning? Because we all saw the
same set of problems around the Web and interoperability.
Now for some at Sun, it's a brand or a business. Those kinds of things
can get in the way of what we're trying to accomplish as an initiative,
so that's why there is this tension. IBM is constantly pushing Sun
towards more openness, better licensing terms, and allowing the various
vendors to do more of their own thing without having to be stuck behind
a JavaSoft development process that might lack some unique features
that the companies need.
Mills also commented on what developers desired from IBM:
What customers are looking for is simplification. They want the system
to automatically understand the transaction semantics coming in and
choose the right execution path so that the administrators spend less
time in setup. And then they want another set of interfaces for certain
classes of developers looking for a simple way to attach to the
transaction processor without having to understand any of the low-level
structures.
That will be accomplished with both Enterprise JavaBeans and XML. Both
provide a higher-level scheme by which I can attach a set of
transaction semantic connections to a particular piece of business
logic. The idea is that the programmer never has to know the middleware
interfaces. They represent two options for the programmer and obviously
for somebody who is HTML-centric in their thinking. They might be more
attracted to the XML tag architecture than to the JavaBeans
architecture.
Mills also commented on IBM's Linux plans and NT support.
The full interview: http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?/interviews/990329mills.htm
Back to index
Java process should end by December with J2EE
With the delivery of the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE), loosely
planned for December 1999, the Java definition process should be
concluded, or as Java Marketing Director Gina Centoni puts it, "For the
core technology, we'll be as complete as we need to be, with no gaping
holes."
Sun is designing 15 extensions to go with the EJB-based J2EE,
extensions that will deliver a common enterprise platform for
applications, server, and tool developers. It should also come with
technical specifications (Java Server Pages APIs, transaction
monitoring, message queuing, e-mail, datatype connectors, and so on),
reference implementations, an application-programming model, and a
guide for using CORBA and Java to craft enterprise systems.
Compliance testing will also be a critical component to J2EE, in order
to keep the Java market from splintering.
Back to index
Developers confused, disappointed, angry
This analysis in InfoWorld covers developer reaction to
Microsoft's putting its Java strategy on hold.
The article comments that Microsoft developers have heard nothing from
the company on Java development in the months since the preliminary
injunction on the company's use of Java, stemming from the Sun-launched
lawsuit. ViewSonics Application-development VP Jerome Liss notes that,
"It's as if they are pretending [Java] doesn't exist." Liss added, "We
put a lot of time into development. It's as if they pulled the plug.
There's no reference to Java and Windows CE [on the Microsoft Web site]
-- as if it never occurred." ViewSonics was using Windows CE and a Java
tool to build handheld/wireless device GIS/GPS applications.
Giga Information Group analyst Phil Costa thinks that another factor to
the "disappearance" of Java at Microsoft may be that it presents
Microsoft with two choices, neither of which works well for the
company: The company needs "to choose between satisfying their
customers or their competitive positioning." Costa added, "This is a
litmus test [to see] if they are truly an enterprise-class provider,
because those kinds of vendors do not jerk their customers around."
Microsoft Group Program Manager Charles Fitzgerald said that Microsoft
is "absolutely committed to making sure that there is support for the
Java language on the Windows platform," but that the company is focused
on building a nonJava path for its products that will lure developers
away from Java.
The full story: http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?/features/990322javajam.htm
Back to index
|
|
 |
About the author
kane.scarlett
Kane Scarlett
comes to JavaWorld from such magazines as Advanced
Systems, Digital Video, NC World, Population
Today, and National Geographic. He's not a platform
fanatic -- he just likes systems that work (i.e., don't issue a beta as
a final version) and systems you don't have to upgrade every six months
(upgrades should be new features, not bug fixes).
|
|