San Francisco -- Should Java be available under an open source format? The debate is raging this week at the 2004 JavaOne conference here.
One day after BEA Systems endorsed an open source stance for Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE), a panel session at the show Thursday offered mixed views from varying interests. Endorsing an open source paradigm for Java were panelists including IBM Vice President Rod Smith, author of a February open letter urging an open source path for Java; and Brian Behlendorf, who serves on the board of directors of the open source Apache Software Foundation.
Among those opposing the move were James Gosling, who holds several titles at Sun including CTO of the company’s Java Development Platform and Tools group; Sun’s Rob Gingell, vice president and Fellow at the company; and James Governor, principal analyst and founder of Redmonk.
Currently, Sun requires that projects officially based on Java be certified as compatible with the Java specification. Amendments to Java must go through Java Community Process (JCP) procedures. Open source advocates seek a more freeform path for Java.
Proponents stressed the possibilities that could emerge for Java technology through open sourcing. Behlendorf pleaded for open source implementations of Java specifications, with the caveat that they cannot claim compliance with the Java specification until passing Java Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) tests.
“Open source processes tend to be some of the best ways to spread ubiquity,” Behlendorf said.
“Creating derivative works that don’t at times implement the complete specification is a natural part of any open source process,” he added.
But Gingell questioned what exactly would be gained through open sourcing of Java.
“Really, what I ask people is, if open source is the answer, please tell me the problem,” Gingell said.
He vowed that compatibility must be maintained in Java, something that Sun argues it is able to ascertain by being the steward over Java, which Sun invented. Java programs, Gingell said, “will not be lied to by things claiming to be Java.”
Governor that maybe Sun’s shepherding of Java is not a bad idea. “It seems to me that Sun’s stewardship of the JCP may be the worst governance model but it’s the best one we’ve tried,” Governor said, borrowing from a comment he said Winston Churchill had made about democracy.
Panelist Justin Shaffer, director of operations for Major League Baseball Advanced Media, also argued for the status quo. “Why take something that’s working very well for many businesses today and put it at risk,” he asked, eliciting applause from many in the crowd.
A lot of innovation is happening in the Java and open source worlds, IBM's Smith said. “I think going forward, we want to see innovation happen at a more rapid pace,” he said, advocating more of an open source path for Java.
Smith said having an open source sharing of Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) would lower the cost of integration and help technologies get to market faster.
Gosling countered that Java information bases already are published in the public domain. “[Sharing] happens already. All the bug databases are published,” for example, he said.
“You can find every last wart that everybody has ever found,” pertaining to Java, he said.
“You can download the full sources of J2SE,” he said.
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
Recommend This
