Apache Software Foundation's Project Harmony should succeed and be given the support it needs. But why do we need Harmony when the source of Sun's implementation of the Java SE is already at hand? Why do want Harmony when GNU's Classpath is already in full swing?
It all boils down to this: developers want Java to be free. Free in the sense that they can look at the source code, they can modify the source code, they can distribute modified versions. OK, back to the questions. Use Sun's Java SE implementation and you're tied with Sun's restrictive license. Use GNU Classpath and you're tied to the GPL. The logical way out for both commercial enterprises and developers alike is a BSD-like license, the Apache license.
Hence, as coffee-blooded Java developers that we are, support Project Harmony.
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3 comments:
Well said.
I just used some of the arguments you made here in response to this blog (http://weblogs.java.net/blog/kirillcool/archive/2005/07/eclipse_the_mil.html - Eclipse: The Milk Cow for the Board Members) - as someone was claiming that Eclipse was no more open-source than Sun's Java. While in the counting of resources and the practical development by commercial entities that is true, there is one *big* difference. Everything IBM has committed to Eclipse they have said is legal to use in an open-source fashion. Nothing Sun has committed to core Java (from a code perspective) has been marked as open-source legally.
That's the central reason I don't care if IBM contributes a huge portion of code (and potentially resources) to Harmony (I actually prefer it) - just because they put the most muscle into turning the nuts and bolts on the motor, it doesn't mean they own the car ;)
you say "developers want Java free". which developers? i dont like others to talk about my choices. better question is what percent of the devlopers you think care about it? Would you bundle Harmony to your software? Believe me, majority of Java deelopers are happy with Sun's behavior and Java's current situation. yes there are complaints but they are getting better (still the only major issue i see is distributing binaries). i am not telling Harmony should not be supported, choice is always good. But efforts can be used in developing Mustang instead. Harmony has years (maybe never) to catch up with Sun's implemetation i do not think it will ever catch up with its performance and stability. But hell, Java is about choice, so, lets see.
let me call you john.
john, you ask which developers... those knowledgeable developers. those who know about the consequences of certain types of licenses might bring to their product. most developers really doesn't care. what percent? vast majority. if these developers are given the chance to sell their own home-grown applications, if these developers contribute to open source, they would definitely know the consequences. the issue is not just distributing the binaries, the real issue is that the class library, from Sun, that you are enjoying right now is not free. read this and be enlightened. What efforts are referring to when developing Mustang. Only if you're a Sun employee, then you can think about this. Harmony, how do you know that it'll take years? The condition when Java was in its infancy is different from today where Open Source is the key thing, where major players in the industry are embracing.
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