I have been programming in Java for over a year, using it mainly because of
its technical merits but also because it seemed to be the "anti-Microsoft".
>From the beginning I had the utmost respect for Sun and their mission to
build Java into the greatest thing since sliced bread. Yet, lately I am
sensing that it may not be wise to rely on Sun alone to deliver a
programming language based on the Java vision. There are several reasons for
this:
1 – Sun has been unable to keep up with the demands of the developer
community with timely bug fixes and language extensions. One only has to
peruse through the "Bug Parade" at the JDC to see that the voice of the
developer has gone mainly unheard while Sun's Java licensees have been able
to work with Sun to create new APIs. Some examples of those things we are
waiting to see are: generic programming (aka parameterized types and
templates), regular expressions, and fixes for the mile high stack of bugs
that we have all submitted and Sun has not addressed (or they fixed it six
months later).
2 – With the recent news that Sun is backing out of their 2 1/2 year old
plans to make Java an open standard through ISO one wonders what their real
objectives have been all this time.* They claim that this is because of
Microsoft's lobbying but there seems to be more. Sun has been trying to
maintain its death grip on Java and still make it an open standard. These
ideas mix like oil and water. For this reason I support ISO's choice to not
allow Java to be standardized under such terms.
3 – Sun has yet to truly deliver on the prospect of an open-source/free
Java. Though they have given the developer community free access to the
source they have not moved to the model of free software (free referring to
freedom not price). I will not reiterate the advantages that a truly
open-source/free Java would bring because they are widely known.
4 – There seems to be a conflict of interest within Sun, they are torn
between making Java a true cross-platform language by insuring that good VMs
are available on all platforms and making Solaris the best platform for
Java. This should come as no surprise since Sun is a corporation and their
stock holders would expect them to do this. This is not however in the best
interest of Java or the developers relying on its abilities to live up to
its specification. This is a general problem with any technology that is
controlled by a for profit organization.
With this said the question arises: What can we do? I believe that there are
two options: move forward with or without Sun.
Without Sun – Members of the Java and open-source could develop and
alternative under the GPL. Though this idea has been thrown around by the
media there are no traces of a significant movement to accomplish such a
feat. Unlike projects like Classpath and the various VMs this would be a
different language outside of the control of Sun and their license and
compatibility tests.
With Sun – Java developers can throw a "hissy fit" over the ISO fiasco, and
other issues, in an attempt to raise further awareness within Sun. The focus
of this movement would have to be moving Java to a truly open model not just
having some organization certify Java as a standard (that is not good
enough). There have been plenty of complaints about Sun out there but I am
speaking of something much larger. The sort of negative media attention that
would make Sun look like Microsoft and thus force them to take some action.
I believe that it is possible for this to happen given the spot light that
has been placed on the open-source community by the media (all we need is
one quote from Linus and too say that it has a lot to do with Linux –
buzzwords!).
I personally believe that we should move forward without Sun. Even if Java
is a "perfect" solution for you the competition would be a positive
consequence of the effort. And like the media attention this would raise
Sun's awareness and they would fear that their powerful position could be
compromised. Of course there is also the likely prospect that the effort
would succeed and all our prayers would be answered.
So what do you think?
* Read the recent Wired article at
http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/19413.html
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