Java was created to incorporate advancements from non-traditional computing sectors and address the limitations of C and C++.
Java's popularity grew due to its ability to run on multiple platforms, support networked applications, and its principles of 'write once, run anywhere' and object-oriented programming.
The creation of Java was driven by a commitment to safety in software development, resulting in clear interfaces, strict methodologies, and a focus on writing good code from the start.
Deep dives
The Origin of Java
In the early 1990s, a group at Sun Microsystems noticed that the computing industry was missing out on advancements happening outside of traditional computer hardware and software. They embarked on a project called Java to understand and utilize these advancements. They went on road trips, visiting companies like Toshiba, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Sony, Samsung, and more to gather insights. One key observation was that these companies were reinventing computer networking and making mistakes that the computer industry had already faced. This influenced the development of Java to include built-in networking capabilities.
The Revolution of Java
Java aimed to revolutionize the computing industry by incorporating advancements from other sectors such as mobile devices, process control systems, audio and video equipment. The team behind Java wanted to understand the broader landscape of computing and create a language that would enable developers to leverage these advancements. They recognized that the dominant languages at the time, like C and C++, were not well-suited for this new computing paradigm. Thus, Java was created to address the need for a modern, versatile, and network-savvy language.
Java's Impact and Popularity
Java quickly gained popularity due to its ability to run on multiple platforms and its support for networked applications. Its principles of "write once, run anywhere" and object-oriented programming resonated with developers. Java became widely used in various domains, from mobile app development to enterprise software to embedded systems. Its popularity grew as it evolved, incorporating new features and libraries. Today, Java remains one of the most widely used programming languages, powering millions of devices across the globe.
Open Source and Licensing Challenges
Java faced licensing challenges and open-source debates throughout its history. The initial implementation of Java, created by James Gosling and his team at Sun Microsystems, was eventually taken over by others. The decision to open-source Java stirred controversy, with differing opinions on the balance between open-source principles and the need for commercial viability. Gosling's concerns centered around the idea that open-sourcing all software could force creators into poverty. He viewed open-source as an important aspect but worried about the extremes that might undermine the success of developers and their right to earn a living.
Java's Origins and Importance
Java's origins can be traced back to experiences where the speaker identified potential disasters in the computer science industry. Inspired by consumer electronics companies valuing reliability over performance, they aimed to address issues related to reliability and safety in software development. This commitment to safety not only stemmed from security concerns but also reflected a desire to improve developer velocity. Java's success in the industry was driven by clear interfaces, strict methodologies, and a focus on writing good code from the start.
The Java Virtual Machine
The creation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) was influenced by the speaker's experience with an abstract machine-like P-code used in grad school. The JVM was designed to provide an abstraction layer that could be translated to different physical machines, addressing the challenge of proprietary CPUs. The JVM allowed software to be written independent of a specific machine, enabling portability and avoiding vendor lock-in. Additionally, the speaker's commitment to standardization extended to adopting IEEE 754 for floating-point arithmetic, ensuring consistency across diverse systems.
Here’s the outline of the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
OUTLINE:
0:00 – Introduction
4:45 – Irrational numbers
8:04 – Math and programming
10:36 – Coding style
14:41 – First computer
23:54 – Lisp
27:22 – Write an Emacs implementation in C
35:15 – Early days of the Internet
45:57 – Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos
56:13 – Work hard and smart
58:48 – Open source
1:10:25 – Java
1:28:31 – Java virtual machine
1:44:05 – Android
1:47:04 – Advice
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