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Java
information about this fascinating programming language with links to relevant resources.
 
It was while studying for an MSc in Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, roughly about the same time that 'The Matrix' was released, that I became obsessed with Java. I remember being extremely chuffed to realise that I'd lived long enough to watch a sci-fi film where much of the technology featured actually already existed.

Even as a student, it was easy to see that Java could be used to implement some very cool applications relatively easily.
Java is a great language for writing software - powerful, well designed (so its easier to learn than say, C), object-orientated, well documented and importantly, free to download and use.

Java is a cornerstone of the 'open source' movement. As a consequence, there are vast numbers of resources on the internet for people learning and developing Java and a large and friendly community of people involved with the language.

Java was designed to be a cross-platform language to be used on devices ranging in power from 'smart chips'embedded into credit cards to mission-critical systems used by the military and NASA. Even the industry standard Oracle™ database (as used by NASA) hosts an embedded Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

The latest generation of mobile phones also include JVMs. With a device-specific java compiler, this technology could allow you to download and install new games and applications on a mobile phone in a manner a bit like in 'Matrix' where someone downloads the 'program' which enables them to fly a helicopter.

You could wirelessly download the text version of the program code of a Java application (or even receive it as an SMS message), compile and then execute it on your device and thus increase the power or functionality of your phone, pda, laptop, watch, wearable pc etc. etc.

The geniuses at Sun Microsystems created Java. If you're interested in learning it, their website is the place to get started.
arse
Page served on 8/20/2008 at 12:07:28 AM
some non-technical information about me and these pages man-made artifacts we can argue for hours about In an ideal world, this would link to topical stuff. Most of the tripe heres is at least six months old. -Ed. Sites I like, or approve of
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