Re: The Revenge of the Geeks
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:25:24 -0400
Message-ID: <90OLs.55298$Ep5.21372_at_newsfe08.iad>
On 01/23/2013 02:21 AM, BGB wrote:
> On 1/22/2013 11:33 PM, Kevin McMurtrie wrote:
>> In article
>> <f803af84-fa9a-456b-a140-5a2a3b3ae84b_at_k4g2000yqn.googlegroups.com>,
>> Ramon F Herrera <ramon_at_conexus.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Oracle has getting a lot of attacks.
>>>
>>> "A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java
>>> updates"
>>>
>>> http://www.zdnet.com/a-close-look-at-how-oracle-installs-deceptive-software-wi
>>>
>>> th-java-updates-7000010038/?s_cid=e539
>>>
>>> I can fathom how a software like Java could end up in the hands of a
>>> company like Oracle...
>>>
>>> -Ramon
>>
>> Thankfully, I don't run Windows anywhere so I don't get this. I'm
>> surprised they don't bundle an AltaVista toolbar and a GIF clipart
>> library from back in the days when desktop shovelware was common.
>>
>> Yes, it is a shame that Oracle runs Java but Sun wasn't so great at it
>> either. Both pushed for high cost, high complexity "enterprise edition"
>> libraries that come and go like fashion but dragged their feet on
>> streamlining the language itself.
>>
> > much agreed... > > the lack of "streamlining" of the core language is admittedly one of my > bigger complaints about Java at present. > > this is along with what few new features are added to the core language > (and to the JVM) are IMO far too often via ugly hacks.
I'm not too worried about Java the language being close to stagnant, so long as library development is up to par. Because if the solution I've selected includes the JVM, then often Scala or Clojure are better choices for high-productivity coding. Myself I don't care if Java the language ever gets updated again - it's not important. The innovation shifted away from Java the language years ago; there are better JVM options now.
So I would disagree with both you and Kevin that "streamlining" the core language is all that important. You can't do enough of it to core Java to make it worthwhile, without major changes. So why bother now? What's important actually *are* those "high cost, high complexity EE libraries", plus the later SE/EE-agnostic libraries like concurrency.
90% of developer productivity is achieved by adept and informed use of what other people have written: libraries.
AHS Received on Wed Jan 23 2013 - 10:25:24 CET