Java, lingua franca of Computer Science Education

The Java Phrasebook | Reg Developer:

It’s the language of choice for computer science education (emphasis mine) and is so ubiquitous in development that many programmers can follow Java code even if they’ve never had to write a line of Java code for themselves. However, for those non-Java developers who need a bit more than pidgin Java, help is at hand in the form of the Java Phrasebook by Timothy Fisher.

What I find rather interesting is why my department is insisting on using C as the first language when everyone else is going object-oriented. It’s ironic that we maintain that our program is not really aimed for industry, so industry demands is not really a major concern and yet, the use of C is dictated, afaik, by potential employers and donors (from industry).

Technorati Tags: computer science, education, java

Yet another benchmark Java pulling ahead? Java versus C++ benchmarks

I recently chanced upon this article, “Why Java Is Not Slow“, and figured that it is a good read for those who still believe that Java is slow. The article cited this University of Southern California’s Computer Graphics and Immersive Technology Lab’s article, albeit dated already, but simply provides more juice to the debate.

Java pulling ahead? Java versus C++ benchmarks:

This article surveys a number of benchmarks and finds that Java performance on numerical code is comparable to that of C++, with hints that Java’s relative performance is continuing to improve.

We then describe clear theoretical reasons why these benchmark results should be expected.

Truth be told, I was skeptical about the performance of Java as well until I saw 3D full-immersive games running on AMD and Intel chips at JavaOne. Heck, check out the other games like the Java-port of Quake called Jake.

Technorati Tags: java

Java advocacy

First, my Linux advocacy moves to Hack It Linux but not everything. Most of the other non-Linux FOSS are featured here along with my personal comments and opinions.

Today, I am slowly moving my Java advocacy to different sites (yes, two sites, on-line and off-line). I will be moving most of my Java-related articles to Manila Bulletin’s TechNews section. Whilst it will be published on a weekly basis, I do not mind since it has a larger readership. What am I a Java Champion for if I do not advocate Java in the Philippines, right?

Like Linux, Java-related articles will still be posted here but the bulk will be on the other sites. I hope you read my articles there, too.

Technorati Tags: java,java champion,manila bulletin

Teachers, teachers, teachers

I just came from a 2 day trip to Baguio City to play party-host for the JEDI Night at the Philippine Society of IT Educators National Convention (PSITE). This is the second time that Sun Microsystems and the UP Java Research & Development Center team hosted dinner to honor educators who joined the JEDI program. The event is free to all – free as in “free beer”, but there was no beer since we were not allowed to bring in alcoholic drinks.

Hotel hopping in Baguio City

Two and a half days of being offline surely gave me connectile dysfunction symptoms. I went to Baguio for a major Java event and stayed at the Pines View Hotel, where the event was held.

I was in room 505, whilst my friend, JP, was in room 405. The room was clean but cramped. I thought that I got the crappy room since the door has louvers, just like your bathroom door, which failed to dampen the noise coming from the corridors. I thought of changing rooms but the hotel was fully booked due to the event and also due to the fact that it is the month of Panagbenga (Flower festival). I resigned and just thought that I’ll stay there for only two nights anyawy. Later, I found out that JP’s room has the same type of door! Argh! If you are staying there, avoid these rooms! (here’s a view from the 5th floor lobby)

Score another one for the little guy

Microsoft backpedals on programming patent | CNET News.com:

Microsoft plans to withdraw an attempt to patent technology already used in a free Java programming project called BlueJ, the company said Sunday.

The school bully failed and now retracts. It pays to be vigilant and I am betting that the Java Champions were able to help the little guy beat the school bully.

Technorati Tags: bluej, microsoft

Microsoft rips off academic community?

Michael’s Random Thoughts » Microsoft patents BlueJ:

Microsoft applies for patent for core BlueJ functionality.

And that’s really true. After blatantly copying BlueJ (without reference or attribution), Microsoft have now filed for patent for the functionality they knowingly copied from us.

Dr. Michael Kolling, one of the prime developers of BlueJ, blogged about how Microsoft admittedly copied a feature of BlueJ. Now, Microsoft files a patent and claims ownership. Isn’t this another one of Microsoft’s bullying tactics? You be the judge.

Technorati Tags: java, microsoft, bluej

The big heavyweight ball and chain

Ultimate iPhone FAQs List, Part 2:

Jobs: “Java’s not worth building in. Nobody uses Java anymore. It’s this big heavyweight ball and chain.”

I am wondering if Jobs even has a clue that mobile Java is different compared to the desktop Java that Apple implements themselves and bundles with Mac OS X. Java ME, or Mobile Edition to those who live under a rock, requires such a small footprint that adding it to a 4GB pseudo-Mac OS X-running wanna-be smartphone shouldn’t be an issue. C’mon, if you can add Flash, why not Java ME?

Heck, I expect the iPhone to come with CDC (Connected Device Configuration) since it is oh-so-powerful. However, considering that Jobs wants a closed-platform, then I do not see the need to even add Java ME. Bummer!

Technorati Tags: iPhone, java

Java still rocks!

Take a look at the table and you’ll see Java still topping the charts!

I am now learning Ruby, which is in the top 10 now, during my spare time and I find it an interesting language. What I like about it is its integration with Rails – Ruby on Rails is a “fun” language to use when developing small database-driven websites but I still prefer Java, of course.

Java SE 6 RC released!

Java SE 6 Key Features:

Java SE 6 (release candidate) is the current major release of the Java SE platform. Sun endeavors to foster the highest level of transparency and collaboration on the platform with the Java community through Project JDK 6, resulting in the following key features:

1. Native platform security (GSS/Kerberos) integration

2. JAAAS login module that uses LDAP authentication

3. Smart Card I/O API

4. New API for XML digital signature services for secure web services

5. New Client and Core Java Architecture for XML-Web services (JAX-WS) 2.0 APIs

6. New support for Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) 2.0

7. New framework and API for scripting languages

8. Mozilla Rhino engine for JavaScript built into the platform

9. Improved JMX Monitoring API

10. Runtime support for dTrace

11. Improved memory usage analysis and leak detection

12. JDBC 4.0 support

13. Improvements to the Java Platform Debug Architecture (JPDA) & JVM Tool Interface

14. Look-and-feel updates to better match underlying OS

15. Improved desktop performance and integration

16. Enhanced i18n support

I cannot wait for Apple to release their Java 6 implementation so I can test this out asap!

Technorati Tags: java