News and commentary from the cross-platform scripting community.
	RE: JAVA JAVA JAVA

Sent:	5/28/96; 10:55:43 AM
From:	mnosal@bedford.symantec.com (Michael Nosal)

Dave, Hi there. Michael Nosal from Symantec again. Okay, your 'Java Java Java' piece had this comment in it:

>Nahhh. Java is just a programming language. My advice to all the >proponents of Java: stop everything you're doing, and put up your own >website. Make it interesting without Java. Now, tell me, why do you need >or want Java?

Hmmm. As someone whose job (and salary) is now tied to the success of Java, this stirred my brain a little bit. And the best answer I can come up with is "I dunno. Let's try it and see what happens!" Seriously! We've just been given a new tool - let's explore the possibilities, discover something new, make something happen. It is different and familiar at the same time. Looks like C, acts like C++. Much easier for beginners (new programmers with new ideas)

I just visited my alma mater for graduation and they're switching the intro Obj. Oriented programming course from C++ to Java. Going to do assignments over the web. HTML documentation. Free the students from the tyranny of having to always use the computers in the lab for their assignments. Do the work on your PC or Mac in your dorm room, then FTP the stuff to the CS server. I wish I had that when I was a CS undergrad.

The *possibilities* are tantalizing. Will it ultimately be a success? Maybe, maybe not. But right now, lots of folks are working real hard to see what it can do. I give my toddler a wooden spoon to play with. Look! It's a spoon! No, it's a baton. Wait, now it's a drumstick, a hairbrush, a hockeystick, an airplane, a chew toy, a doll, an extension of her arm, a magic wand. Pure joy.

Is this the most efficient way to implement Java? Of course not. Lots of people will be duplicating effort, re-inventing wheels. So what? History is filled with examples of people re-creating inventions only to discover new ways of doing things, new applications of technology.

Ignore they hype. Ignore the web applets. Take the ball of clay and make something. "Let's have fun - Now!"

Cheers!

Michael Nosal Symantec Macintosh Development Tools - C/C++/Java Bedford, MA mnosal@bedford.symantec.com