Java

[DaveP]

Java is not *needed*. A good class library, good documentation
and a good C/C++ compiler is *needed*. Fortunately they
are all present for AOS4.

[DaveP]

No Java is not desperately needed, its a nice to have. What
is needed is the tools that are required in the first place

* to compile and build JVM sources, and also to use with JNI
* to develop fast native applications, tools etc

That sayes C/C++. In order to have Java you must first have
something that compiles the VM sources, that is C & C++.

There is no point in getting to a Java is good/bad debate over it - look at the prereq tree for bringing it to the platform please.

[DaveP]

We do have a C/C++ compiler, but I would say the environment is far from polished and Java is not exactly something that should be released with AOS4 ahead of a polished C/C++ IDE.

Javac is often written in a combo of Java  and JNI ( to invoke it! ). This allows you to compile java source code to bytecode.

Javah allows you to generate stub code from java classes for JNI. I can't remember what it is written in.

The Sun JVM is seperate from both of those things and the source tree is huge and is written in a combination of C and C++.

Java ( .exe ) which actually invokes the JVM is written in C last I saw it and basically does a JNI call to init the VM and pass it your classpath, arguments then it initialises the class you specifies, locates the main method and calls it.

[DaveP]

Ahem.

Not only have I been involved in porting Java I have been using
Java in the enterprise since around 98 as a professional.

I just don't happen to think it is essential.

[DaveP]

Im not. Im a nice to have.