I was amazed to find Microsoft design engineer Mugunthan Mugundan teaching Java (how to create REST output using Java) using Eclipse IDE. I found it rich in irony at many levels. What do you think?
The burning question at JavaOne 2008 on lots of developers and businesses mind was how Sun was ever going to monetize all the cool technologies at JavaOne? If Sun goes down, so does the technologies it championed. I got the opportunity to ask the questions on the Java panel for media, to JavaFX lead and others.
I was intrigued by the fact that a new scripting language was designed for JavaFX, a new technology based on the Java platform, designed to enable consistent user experiences on desktop, mobile, TV, and other consumer platforms, where existing languages like Javascript or Groovy could be embraced and extended instead. A new language means a learning curve for a developer to get proficient at and also not be able to leverage the developer base of an existing popular language like Javascript or Gorrvy. I asked the question to the powers that be at Sun.
The JavaFX Script Programming Language Tutorial by James Weaver at JavaOne 2008 was rather insipid. In my jet-lagged state, it was enough to put me to peaceful slumber. However I had one burning question which I dutifully asked. Unfortunately I didn’t get an answer. It was deferred for the end of session, while recognizing its importance (he was just being polite I suppose). I didn’t have the energy to bear the whole session, I left.
All throughout the JavaOne 2008 keynote presentation, I had the same nagging question, how is Sun going to profit from all these diverse technologies? In the end I don’t have an answer.
JavaFX
The keynote was centered around JavaFX, Sun’s solution for creating rich interactive internet applications with immersive user interface. Sun’s value proposition is ubiquitousness of JavaFX on mobile platform and internet enabled devices.
Maybe I am lacking the big vision but I am missing one key element in this picture. Why develop in JavaFX scripts when you can create rich user interface already in Javascript (with AJAX) + any server side language?
In any case it is an extremely cool technology which was well demonstrated with the multiple simultaneous HD video rendering example. I only concern will be Sun’s ability to convert people away from existing solutions. Read more (203 words) »
"One had to cram all this stuff into one's mind for the examinations, whether one liked it or not. This coercion had such a deterring effect on me that, after I had passed the final examination, I found the consideration of any scientific problems distasteful to me for an entire year." - Albert Einstein