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What a Sun-IBM merger could mean for Java


By Andrew Binstock
March 23, 2009 —  (Page 1 of 3)
The acquisition of Sun by IBM raises several interesting possibilities, especially in regard to the wide array of Sun software that is likely to be affected. Here are some thoughts on the effects of the deal on key technologies.

Java. Several pundits have speculated that if IBM controlled Java, the language and platform would be even more open source than it is, and that problems such as product conformance tests for OSS versions of Java would go away. This is probably correct. However, the one thing that will not happen is IBM ceding control of Java to a third party. In other words, while the JCP might be dismantled (though I doubt it), some system will remain in place by which IBM can pursue its agenda in Java.

The reasons for this are woven into IBM’s genetic material. Big Blue has always had a strong preference for OSes and execution environments that it can control. This preference took what the company viewed as a very bad turn when IBM teamed up early with Microsoft on the PC. All went well until the infamous spat that led to the Windows-OS/2 split.

When that occurred, according to what IBM insiders told me years ago, the company recognized that it could never again put the fate of its operating systems in the hands of a third-party vendor. For that reason, IBM was attracted to Java for its enterprise apps. It could run them on its own and just about any other operating systems. Because of this, it enthusiastically endorsed Java.

However, IBM soon realized that Sun would only let it in so far. Sun’s wariness of IBM has been a longstanding sore spot for Big Blue. So, having acquired Java in this transaction, IBM is hardly going to turn over control to another third party. Expect the direction of Java to be influenced by IBM for the foreseeable future.

Enterprise Java. WebSphere is a well-established Java EE server, while Sun’s various EE server initiatives have gone nowhere. I expect the Sun EE offerings will fade away; the open-source software products could live on, but I doubt IBM will give them enthusiastic support.

 Related Search Term(s): IBM, Java, Sun

Pages 1 2 3 


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Comments

03/24/2009 09:25:54 AM EST

And now Apple wish they had made the move few month back.

United KingdomAlex


03/24/2009 03:53:28 PM EST

We are looking for companies or individuals who use Java to participate in an online poll regarding the future of Sun and Java. I am forwarding this to you to try to get a picture of the level of support for a proposal that's being floated - for the Java community to contribute yearly support to Sun Microsystems in order to keep them independent and directed on development of open source software. Please feel free to forward this to individuals or corporate partners you think might be interested. Cordially. Participate in Poll: Would you give money to Sun to keep it independent and developing products? Vote here: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/426985 View current results: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/426985/results Participate in message forum: http://www.misterpoll.com/forums/192808

United Statessoftwarevisualization


03/29/2009 09:24:29 PM EST

If I'm not mistaken, IBM's project zero uses groovy. Also I see a lot of tutorials concerning groovy in IBM developers blog. Maybe Jruby will suffer from this merger but dynamic languages in the JVM will move on with SpringSource supporting groovy. Hopefully, IBM will focus on the JVM and Java.

United StatesOracio


04/05/2009 12:56:40 AM EST

On an individual level, have to say that my own personal wish is to see ZFS natively supported (i.e. GPL'd) in Linux--which has to be more probable now with IBM. While I'm at the wishing well, I'd like DTrace too. Those two things are the only reason I have a nearby OpenSolaris box.

United StatesGaren Parham


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