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From the Editors: Java is safe, for now


By SD Times Editorial Board
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October 1, 2010 —  (Page 1 of 2)
Now that Oracle and Google are engaging in open warfare over Java patents surrounding Android, it's reasonable to wonder whether litigation is the future of Java. But don’t worry. Oracle isn’t SCO. You don’t need to hide your Java code in a bomb shelter, or even disguise your developers using Groucho Marx masks. In fact, when it comes to enterprise development teams writing and deploying Java SE, Java ME or even Java EE applications, the lawsuit changes absolutely nothing. Keep on coding, keep on deploying, nothing to worry about.

The story may be different, however, if your business is to sell platforms that embed a Java runtime that’s not officially licensed by Oracle. Exhibit A, of course, is that Google’s Android platform uses the Dalvik virtual machine, which Oracle claims violates its patents.

If you make your money selling Java, perhaps it's time to search for alternate sources of income. Certainly, Oracle hasn’t lined up targets other than Google yet, but if it wins the Android suit, that could spur further disputes.

It is a shame, however, that all of the attention being paid to the Oracle v. Google lawsuit isn't also being directed toward the OpenJDK. That project is genuinely solving some of the traditional problems of the Java environment, and it's currently one of the most happening areas in the field.

While JBoss, Spring and Tomcat continue to push forward the state of enterprise Java, the OpenJDK has gathered a real head of steam and interest thanks to tireless contributions from both inside and outside of Oracle.

Despite its vibrant community, the scope of the project means that the OpenJDK is likely two years from completion. Unfortunately, many of the Java luminaries we've spoken to cite the OpenJDK as the insurance policy that will keep users safe from patent litigation. Does that mean Java vendors will have to wait another two years before they can feel truly safe? It does look that way.

Apple blinked
The industry—and the pundits—screamed bloody murder when Apple revised its developer license agreements to block the use of third-party tools, such as code generators, to create applications for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. We were among those complaining about Apple’s seemingly gratuitous restrictions on its developers. We are pleased, therefore, that Apple has backed down and has formally revised its license terms to be more accommodating to cross-platform development.


Related Search Term(s): Apple, Java, Oracle

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Comments


10/04/2010 06:23:00 PM EST

That missed the most important part of the Google issue. They are not running a JVM. They're running a JVM-like system that's incompatible with everyone else. That's clearly trying to get access to the tons of Java developers without having to contribute back to the community that created them. The lesson should be to avoid companies like Microsoft and Google that try to grab exclusivity off the backs of the Java community.

United StatesJOTN


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