A Way To GPL Java

maitas writes " Acording to this article, now any developer can GPL'd his Java implementation. Can't wait to see C# go the same path..."

woooooo!!!!

[DeadSea]

I write a lot of GPL Java software.

• Ladder - a game [ostermiller.org]
• Attesoro - a translation edtior [ostermiller.org]
• Utilities - Java Libraries [ostermiller.org]
• TulipChain - A open directory project browser [ostermiller.org]

The problem is that there are currently no virtual machines or class libraries available under the GPL. This means that many Linux distros don't have Java installed. That means that even though my software runs on Linux, it isn't widely used. I welcome any initiative that will bring Java to Linux more readily.

This move just means that open source implementations of Java are officially legal. It doesn't really bring them closer to being here now. Some of the interesting projects in this area are the GNU native compiler for Java [gnu.org] and the GNU Classpath project [gnu.org]. Neither are anywhere near being fully functional yet, but I'll give them time.

Re:woooooo!!!!

[pizza_milkshake]

hehe, i've used your CSV library... got an org/ostermiller dir around here somewhere...

Re:woooooo!!!!

[xyzzy-ladder]

Hey! I've played your java ladder, and it's great. Ladder and Adventure were my favorite games on the old Kaypro CPM machine, hence the name.

Re:woooooo!!!!

[DeadSea]

My favorites too. I found that I could still download and play adventure on modern systems, but not Ladder, so I had to write it.

Re:woooooo!!!!

[xyzzy-ladder]

You've got quite the selection of software on your site. If you're ever in NYC, look me up and I'll buy you a beer. See, who says free software doesn't pay?

Re:woooooo!!!!

[obsidian head]

So you're the ostermiller guy. Rock on!

help...

[daniii]

Can you please tell my how can y read a MAC adress useing java ? I nedd this for a site that has a contest, the problem is that a lot of people have dial-up connection and can change their so i can check if they voted befor or not; but is more complicated tu change your mac adress so i want to try to check their mac adress to see if they voted before or not; so can you please help my or indicate to my some documentation on it?

not so fast

[sydlexic]

first, this is about the Java Community Process. that means specifications for extensions to the platform, not necessarily the core (though some extensions may become part of future cores).

second, it was always possible to create GPL JVM implementations and even GPL Java Core Libraries. See the classpath project as an example. Nothing new there.

third, note this quote:

"Sun still has veto power," Driver said.

nuff said.

Re:not so fast

[j3110]

I can't get to the article, but it seems to me that Sun's veto power is over the standard. If you want to implement something strange in your GPL'd version of Java, of course it's not gonna be Java anymore :) The JCP is where you air your complaints with Java, and a lot of the times, if it's not a crackpot idea (IE other developers agree), then you can get it included in all JRE's next round.

SUN is moving toward a free certifacation test for non-profit organizations so that GPL'd programs can become certified. I think JBoss is proof that even though SUN hates that you exist, they see your right to make a GPL'd version of their specs. If you want to GPL a java implementation, you can. There has never been a problem with that. SUN has a problem when you call it Java and it isn't. Basically, they get upset when you infringe on their trademark. There are a lot of things out there now that are GPL'd and they are implementations of java. They aren't good yet, but that's because people like you spread FUD that SUN will come get you if you do it. More than likely, they would only tell you to not call it Java. Kaffe is a good example.

I think it's absolutely reasonable that SUN, where java was invented and where people truely understand java work, gets a veto power of the technology implementing new features. The number one reason I think this is that they are almost the only one implementing these new features. No one on the market but SUN has a 1.4 JVM. If you make up a feature that is gonna take a year to implement they should be able to veto it being included with the next iteration. This way you have a balance of power between developers who need features and the poor souls who have to make them work!

Translation?

[quintessent]

How does one "GPL'd" a Java implementation? What we could really use under the GPL is a good grammar checker.

Re:Translation?

[quintessent]

How is a question about the headline off-topic?

Wait?

[James Lanfear]

Can't wait to see C# go the same path...

You mean like Mono [go-mono.com] and DotGNU [gnu.org]?

Re:Wait?

[Schnapple]

Or (if you don't mind staying on Windows) there's SharpDevelop [icsharpcode.net] an actually pretty good VS.net clone that's GPL.

There are free software implementations already

[Anonymous Coward]

Check out www.kaffe.org for one.

Don't like it? Help 'em make it better.

A question of ignorance

[drxenos]

I don't understand. What stops you from using the GPL license on Java code?

Java & Linux

[thekm]

Wish people would stop saying that a non open Java means it can't be distributed. Wrong.

SuSE 8.0 personal came with two VM's in it. 1.1 & 1.2. They were loaded up, 1.2 was set to the path and ready to rock.

And cut the BS about opening java.
People already have an awesome community process with the JCP. But, people see something as being "wrong" so at the moment they're blaming a lack of open source. It'd open up, and then all the peanuts would have to find something else to blame.

Java should not be opened, nope.
Sun's doing a great job, and should be given a whole pile of credit for fostering the community that it has.