Is Sun settling on Java?
For years, developers have asked Sun to include assertions, which allow
developers to test code assumptions before deployment, and generics, which
define the parameters of Java containers by their contents, into its Java
platform. And for years, Sun resisted. Thankfully, Sun has relented, and
the requested changes will be available in the upcoming Java version 1.4.
Yet even as developers continue to request additional changes, Sun will not
commit to further improvements in the Java engine. Sun stands by its
doctrine that Java must be simple in order to support a range of 2.5
million users worldwide. This noncommitment has encouraged complaints that
Sun Microsystems and its Java Process Community is hindering Java's
advancement by not listening to the larger development community.
Sun continues to tout Java as the global e-commerce solution and continues
its battle with "the evil empire," Microsoft. However, Sun's Java history
does not support its repeated call for open standards or its rhetoric
against Microsoft. Instead of allowing Java to become an open standard,
controlled by many companies, Sun chose to create the Java Community
Process to maintain control of the important decisions concerning Java's
future.
Some doubt Java has the ability to block Microsoft's ambitious Internet
plans. According to the Gartner Group, Sun has become complacent and
Microsoft has at least a one-year lead over Sun in the Web Services
development.
Has Sun misjudged Microsoft's edge in the Web Services arena? Will Sun's
release of J2EE be enough to keep the Internet and Web services out of
Microsoft's control, or has Sun's reluctance to give developers what they
need put the first nail in Java's coffin?
We're interested in what you have to say on this subject. Give us your
feedback at [email protected], and we may feature your
comments in an upcoming Java TechMail.