WHY ?

 

    Ever since SUN released Java in 1996, it has been the preferred language of Developers for the Enterprise World.

 

    It is an all-purpose language of wonderful elegance and universality.

 

    We can develop  applications for the Desktop, Client-server, WebServer and Enterprise server with equal ease. And SUN has released JWSDP to cater to the latest in XML WebService.

 

    Java Messaging & Java Connectivity Architecture ( to Mainframe, SAP , ERP and SCM)   are considered to be the BEST in the Industry.

 

    There is no equivalent effort in ORM like Hibernate  or  Object-to-XML mapping like JAXB from  the other contending camps. The chances are that they are hearing about such things only due to Java developers!

 

     We can provide wireless/mobile clients for web and enterprise level programs. There are special packages for 3D graphics, Multimedia and Text/Speech processing.

 

     It is the first choice of creative open-source developers. It is write-once & run anywhere language ( wora) unlike C/C++. It is a compiled & then interpreted language unlike the scripting contenders like PHP. Despite claims to the contrary, C# is no Java-killer but a tribute by emulation!

 

      Even if MONO provides a C# version for Linux, there is no Enterprise container in Mono. In Enterprise tier, J2EE is unchallenged.

 

     Some languages can perform better in niche areas, but the perceived performance bottleneck of Java in some such areas is more than offset by its universality.

 

     Long back, SUN formed the Java Community Process in which all the leading Enterprise-level software developers can participate and develop the language features. SUN retained veto powers to preserve Backward Compatibility.

 

     There was pressure from Open Source community on SUN to give up control, for reasons best known to the contenders and their spokesmen.

 

      Finally, SUN yielded to the pressure and open-sourced it as Free Software on 13^th, November, 2006. Their hope is that the Linux and OpenSource community will participate more readily and eagerly in developing the language and platform.

 

                      

 

 

               As RICHARD MATHEW STALLMAN says,

     SUN has proved that it is a truly VISIONARY company.

            SUN

       SHINES!

 

But, only  Time can tell, if this the right move. There is a grave danger that the language will be splintered and forked! This is the time for all the genuine Java-admirers to be extremely wary of  versions  that deviate from the JCP norms  and also to avoid SOME ready-made IDE’s which temporarily boost productivity but gradually splinter the language and platform.

 

   What will happen if SUN is permanently Eclipsed?

        Won’t it be  a Disaster?