Interested about the usage of Java

[gajo]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it? I'm
asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in Java,
even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

Also, is there a compiler available to generate Win32 applications?

Gajo

 

[Herman Timmermans]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it? I'm
asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in
Java, even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

Also, is there a compiler available to generate Win32 applications?

Gajo

Surely, you must be ET ;-)

 

[Darryl L. Pierce]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it? I'm
asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in
Java, even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

My company writes Java (as well as Symbian and BREW) software which targets
mobile phones. Java in that arena is by far a better target than any other
platform for the mobile industry. In addition, we have server and desktop
products that are written purely in Java which makes our product line far
more versatile and powerful.

Also, is there a compiler available to generate Win32 applications?

The Java compiler targets the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which is itself
ported to different platforms. Java is designed to write one, run
everywhere.

 

[Jesper Lundorf Thusgaard]

I'm doing a project for a company, were I take an old DOS program (writen in
C) and converts it to Java.
This is a stand alon Application (not applet)
I guess if you do a google for Java and Application, You'll see what it can
be used for!

 

[Karl von Laudermann]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it? I'm
asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in Java,
even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

There are plenty of desktop applications and utilities written in
Java. If you're into file sharing at all, you've probably heard of
LimeWire, currently the most popular Gnutella network client. That's
written in Java. Another example is PCGen, a popular character
generator for D20 roleplaying games. Occasionally I'll download a
shareware/freeware program from versiontracker.com or some other
general shareware site and it'll turn out to be a Java program, even
though I wasn't aware of that when I downloaded it.

Also, is there a compiler available to generate Win32 applications?

There might be, but using it would defeat one of Java's main
strengths, which is its cross-platform availability. If a Windows user
decides to release a program as a Java application rather than a Win32
executable, then I as a Mac user am glad not to have been excluded,
and I'm sure many Linux users are glad as well.

 

[Colin McSwiggen]

Java is compiled into bytecode, which isn't machine-dependent, not
actual machine code; this makes it easy to use on multiple platforms
and extremely versatile. It's great for standalone applications as
well as web applets, though getting direct keyboard input is a little
whacked, as it's designed to write programs that use GUIs. Sun also
keeps pretty good documentation online at java.sun.com, in case you're
wondering how to actually write standalone apps.

 

[Bill Dennis]

Our company has just released a business management software
application that is written in Java using a Swing interface, and that
can be found on sofware store shelves. So Java applications are
definitely out there.

Bill Dennis
www.fredrickgroup.com

 

[Tony Dahlman]

[snip]
I guess if you do a google for Java and Application, You'll see what it can
be used for!

Good one Jesper,

And Teoma.com, which may be better than Google at avoiding duplicates, shows
"about 2,670,000" hits!

But there's no stopping gajo from using Java just for applets....

 

[noone]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it? I'm
asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in Java,
even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

Where have you been for the past few years ?

Where I work, we use Java to connect to operator's SMSC and MMSC.

We also provide an MM7 API licensed under LGPL to our clients. ( MM7 is
the interface between a VASP and MMSC ). MM7 also incorporates a lot of
other technologies: XML Namespace, XML Schema, SOAP Message with
Attachments, MIME, etc...

Not to mention J2ME on mobile phones.

That game you have downloaded to your phone will most likely be a MIDO
Java game downloaded via WAP Push MservceInd.

EJB, JMS, JMX ... the list goes on.

 

[Michael Borgwardt]

Is Java used only for creating Web applets, or is there more to it?

Actually, applets are largely irrlevant.

I'm asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in Java

Where Java really shines and is used *very* extensively (in fact, it nearly
dominates the market) is not mass-produced off-the-shelf software but
server-side individual software: corporate information systems and all
kinds of web-based systems.

 

[Rick]

I'm

asking because I don't remember seeing any software or game written in Java,
even though I must admit it is a powerful language.

Powerfull yes, because of it's compatibility and fully object orientated
style so it's easy to use with system design tools / documentation like UML.

Though Java is not really fast. Like someone said before, Java is byte-code
and not machine code due the compatibillity stuff. That makes it 'alot'
slower than programs written in C++, Visual Basic or Delphi for example. I
can know it because I'm writing games for a few years now so speed is really
important then.
But, as the computers grow bigger and bigger Java runs faster of course. So
the usage depends on what you'd like to make. If it's a big program with
advanced graphic-stuff I'd prefer C++ or Delphi. If it works with
applications like MS Access, Word or other Micros$ft products you'd better
use VB. If it needs to run on many platforms or it's close to the web Java
is probably the best choice (although languages can generate cross-platform
programs too, but Java is still far more easier in that).

Greetings,
Rick

 

[chris]

Actually, applets are largely irrlevant.


Where Java really shines and is used *very* extensively (in fact, it
nearly dominates the market) is not mass-produced off-the-shelf software
but server-side individual software: corporate information systems and all
kinds of web-based systems.

It's the COBOL of the 21st century.

 

[Brian Pipa]

For some great examples of Java applications check out Swing Sightings:
http://java.sun.com/products/jfc/tsc/sightings/S19.html

It lists a BUNCH of really nice Java (Swing) applications. Make sure you
check out the past volumes too - there is some good stuff in there.

Brian
My java freeware:
http://www.filenabber.com

 

[Jezuch]

U¿ytkownik chris napisa³:

It's the COBOL of the 21st century.

Except that it doesn't cause brain damage ))

 

[Joona I Palaste]

Actually, applets are largely irrlevant.

But that's what Sun used to advertise Java back in 1996. So we're
stuck with Java's reputation as an "applet language".

Where Java really shines and is used *very* extensively (in fact, it nearly
dominates the market) is not mass-produced off-the-shelf software but
server-side individual software: corporate information systems and all
kinds of web-based systems.

I should know - I'm developing one myself. Along with four other people,
three men and one woman, that is.

--
/-- Joona Palaste ([email protected]) ------------- Finland --------\
\-- http://www.helsinki.fi/~palaste --------------------- rules! --------/
"A bee could, in effect, gather its junk. Llamas (no poor quadripeds) tune
and vow excitedly zooming."
- JIPsoft

 

[Andreas Schmidt]

Also, is there a compiler available to generate Win32 applications?

Yes, there are some compilers:

GCJ (free)
http://gcc.gnu.org/java/
works fine, especially with SWT instead of Swing for the GUI

JET (commercial)
http://www.excelsior-usa.com/jet.html

By the way, Eclipse is written in Java, and it is the coolest application
ever!

Andi