With Java, Sun Microsystems established the first programming language that wasn’t tied
to any particular operating system or microprocessor.
Applications written in Java will run anywhere, eliminating one of the biggest headaches for
computer users: incompatibility between operating systems and versions of operating
systems.
The following paragraph will give some information about the history of Java and explain how this
programming platform from Sun Microsystems was created..
Java’s core principles developed out of a desire to build software for consumer electronics. It all
started out in 1990 when a team of Sun researchers developed some concepts for a new direction in
high-tech, consumer-driven technology. Computers were everywhere and were the driving force
behind many of the products in the home: the VCR, the microwave oven, the security system, and
the stereo system.
However, each product required its own interface. In other words, to control three devices,
consumers had to have three remote controls and to understand programming for three devices. In
addition to the fact that Sun was falling behind on it’s competitors, this was the background for Sun
to launch a new project which would later become Java.
A team code-named Green was formed to work on creating a simple device that controlled a variety
of day-to-day electronics products. The team consisted of two programmers; Patrick Naughton and
James Gosling, and engineer Mike Sheridan. Gosling realized that what they needed was a new
programming language.
As it was, existing programming languages like C++ had its emphasis on speed, not reliability. In
consumer electronics, reliability is more important than speed. As it turned out, Gosling and
Naughton managed to bring their work together, and create a new language which they called Oak.
This happened in August 1991. A year later, the Green Team had developed a hand-held device with
no keyboard, no buttons, and a tiny screen. You touched the screen to turn it on and controlled the
action on the screen with a fingertip. This made it possible to program the VCR just by moving your
finger along the screen. Still, this technology did not take off. Amongst others the chips were too
expensive to manufacture. Ultimately the Green Team was a failure.
However, Bill Joy, one of the co-founders of Sun, saw an opportunity for Oak in the emergence of the
World Wide Web. His idea was to release Java for free over the Internet. By giving your product
away for noncommercial use you can make it the standard. The name Oak had to be changed due
to the fact it was too close to that of another product. Consequently, Oak was renamed Java in
January 1995.
Today, Joy’s vision of free and accessible technology is a reality. But Sun still needs to make sure
that Java becomes the standard; then it needs to figure out how to make money from the product.
Selling commercial licenses is one way to go.
One big step was taken on December 7, 1995, when Microsoft signed a letter of interest with Sun for
a Java-technology source license. Additionally, Microsoft agreed to give Sun Microsoft’s reference
implementation of the Java virtual machine, and the apple application programming interface (API) for
Windows. This deal was important. By integrating Java into its Explorer browse, Microsoft provided
Java with a huge base of previously untapped Windows users. In addition, it was a major
endorsement form the world’s largest software firm that Sun’s Interment technology is top-notch and
goes a long way towards establishing Java as de facto open standard for programming on the
Internet.
/* Follow me on :
www.facebook.com/arslan.aliawan
@arslanaliawan2 (twitter)
*/