Still New Shimmer

One of the difficulties in talking about Java, whether you're comparing it to alternatives or arguing about its future direction, is nailing down exactly which Java you're talking about.

Java as a programming language has its strengths and weaknesses, its fans and its detractors. It has grown a few appendages in an attempt to continue to compete as the competition evolves from things that start with C to things that start with P, or other letters in that alphabetic neighborhood.

But Java has always been more than just the language. When it was first introduced, the team was focused on a general-purpose controller device, a web browser, almost anything but a language.

Today, Java continues to be many things to many people, even many things to Sun, including being a platform friendly to other languages. It's both a dessert topping and a floor wax. Here, I'll spray some on your mop....

One of the new directions that Sun is taking Java is embodied in Java FX, which Eric begins to explore in his blog, where he invites your views on this new technology. Personally, I think it's durable and scuff resistant and perks up anything from an ice cream sundae to a pumpkin pie, but YMMV.

Posted by Mike Swaine at 10:49 AM  Permalink