What makes Java so special?

[Chris Rehm <Mr.AS400@xxxxxxx>]

A lot of midrange guys want to know, "What makes Java so special?"

Why is it any more valuable or important than any of the other tools
available for the AS/400?

It's a good question, what with a stack of powerful tools already
available: VisualAge C++, VisualAge Smalltalk, VisualAge RPG. All with
direct access to native AS/400 objects. 

I think the reason Java is more important is the Java Virtual Machine. 

The JVM is what makes Java platform independant. It is the interface
between Java applications/applets and the system. To run Java applications,
your OS must have a running JVM. To run applets, you need a browser with a
JVM. Sun develops JVMs, IBM does, Netscape, and so does Microsoft. 

An application runs in the JVM. It doesn't know what kind of machine it is
running on, it simply interacts within the Java environment.

What IBM wants to do is use the JVM on their Java workstation to provide a
replacement for the dumb terminal that is so reliable that AS/400 managers
will not mind using them in a live environment. This will let application
developers create GUI based apps that rely on the AS/400 for all of their
functions. The same developer can choose to move some of the functions down
to the workstation if they are so inclined. 

Also, it brings applications to the AS/400 by default. Any new Java app is
an AS/400 app. In order for the AS/400 to be considered the platform of
choice, it needs to run Java better than other platforms. I feel like
Rochester has a great shot at this, as they have proven to me that they
know very well what it takes to make a great machine perform well.


Chris Rehm
Mr.AS400@ibm.net

How often can you afford to be unexpectedly out of business?
Get an AS/400.
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