Having worked for a long time now with peers involved in software
development (Java), I loosely categorize them as belonging to one of
the following groups :
1. Java enthusiasts but BORGed : Use Java extensively, but on Win32
95/98/NT
only. Have never used any other platforms for development/deployment.
2. Java evangelists : 100% Pure Java promulgators. Believe that the OS
is
irrelevant when developing applications. Dual
boot between Linux and at least one of NT/98/Solaris x86/BeOS for
cross
platform testing.
3. Java and Linux equi-evangelists : Use Java for most or all
development
but predominantly on Linux. Are desperate for JDK 1.2 on Linux.
Reluctantly have Windoze installed to run the latest APIs in Java.
Believe that the Java + Linux combination is the platform of the
future.
4. Linux evangelists : Linux is the future. Java is a fad that will
probably be overtaken by something else eventually. Think that Java
does not have the best licensing model (it's not GPL). Java is slow
because Perl kicks ass in CGI (have never heard of servlets). Can't
understand why we don't just have a Java to native compiler,
especially
one to Linux.
Admittedly, these are very discrete categories and most (all)
individuals
would belong to more than one. I think that the bulk of Java developers
in the world belong to category 1 (why else did Visual Cafe win this
year's InfoWorld award ?!). As for myself - somewhere between 2 and 3.
Feedback, comments, criticisms - fire away.
Raju Karia
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
