The Future of Java in the Enterprise
Working for IBM has its special perks. One of them is direct access to a huge bunch of really smart people. As you might (or might not) know IBM is maintaining its own version of the Java JVM. In a recent chat with our researchers I could take a glimpse into the future of Java for the enterprise. Since there will be so many new features this upcoming version it will be named "Java Enterprise Edition Extreme" or short J3E (or as the researchers like to put it: J E power three). Based on IBM's version of Java 8 (we jump a few version to get ahead of SUN), it will not only feature all time favourites as Aspect Oriented Programming ( AOP), an multi-core threading optimized compiler (MTOC) but also a new persistence interface (code name "deep freeze") that persists Java objects into various open standard disk structures (my favourite being Linux EXT4 streams).
But there is more to come: IBM's processor unit will release new versions of the Cell and Power processor families, that feature a Java-On-Silicon JVM (JOS-VM) making Java execute without the need of an operating system. Lotus Expeditor will take advantage of this new abilities. Especially the upcoming Cell Micro processor with barely 0.1 Watt power consumption will be a hit for mobile devices running J3E applications ( IBM Websphere Portal on your wrist watch anyone?).
Of course Java Developers will have to get used to a few changes. D. Doligez from our research labs explained to me: "The biggest change is, that we had to let go of the venerable Web Application Repository (WAR) files. It simply can't deploy to all our target JVMs especially the JOS-VMs. We created a new format we call "Lean Object Versatile Extension" (LOVE) that will serve as container for both regular Java 8 as well as J3E applications. To create files in this new format we will not only support Ant and Maven but also the popular make utility".
IBM marketing is planning a media blitz to introduce J3E once it is ready for prime time. They have enlisted a well known artist to promote J3E with IBM's new Java 3E tag line.
Update: An early version of IBM's Java8 is available for download.
But there is more to come: IBM's processor unit will release new versions of the Cell and Power processor families, that feature a Java-On-Silicon JVM (JOS-VM) making Java execute without the need of an operating system. Lotus Expeditor will take advantage of this new abilities. Especially the upcoming Cell Micro processor with barely 0.1 Watt power consumption will be a hit for mobile devices running J3E applications ( IBM Websphere Portal on your wrist watch anyone?).
Of course Java Developers will have to get used to a few changes. D. Doligez from our research labs explained to me: "The biggest change is, that we had to let go of the venerable Web Application Repository (WAR) files. It simply can't deploy to all our target JVMs especially the JOS-VMs. We created a new format we call "Lean Object Versatile Extension" (LOVE) that will serve as container for both regular Java 8 as well as J3E applications. To create files in this new format we will not only support Ant and Maven but also the popular make utility".
IBM marketing is planning a media blitz to introduce J3E once it is ready for prime time. They have enlisted a well known artist to promote J3E with IBM's new Java 3E tag line.
Update: An early version of IBM's Java8 is available for download.
Posted by Stephan H Wissel on 01 April 2007 | Comments (2) | categories: Software
