Latest News from JAVA DEVELOPER'S JOURNAL

HP's Acquisition of EDS Leads To Trouble

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT

HP’s acquisition of EDS – so it can challenge IBM – will leave 24,600 people looking for new jobs, most of them EDS folks. The cuts won’t come all at once. The exercise will take three years to complete, HP said, expecting to use the layoffs to upgrade the skills of its workforce by hiring roughly 12,000 new people, particularly sales reps, according to HP CEO Mark Hurd, “to optimize its global footprint.”

Infragistics Announces NetAdvantage for JSF

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:45:00 EDT

Infragistics has announced the immediate availability of Infragistics NetAdvantage for JSF 2008 Volume 2, a complete set of pre-built, quality-tested components based on JavaServer Faces that allows developers to create Java UIs. With these AJAX-enabled components, developers can leverage the power of JSF to build and deliver high-performance, robust Web 2.0 applications.

Using Spring as an Object Container

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EDT

When you work with open source ESBs, you can use other tools and frameworks to help you solve common problems. Spring is one of the tools that extends the basic functionality of the ESBs Mule and ServiceMix and makes solving integration problems a lot easier. Spring is a component framework that makes it easy to work with Plain Old Java Objects (POJOs).

Sun Microsystems Strikes Multi-Million Dollar Deal with ERP Software Company

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:45:00 EDT

Sun Microsystems has announced the addition of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendor Stésud to a growing list of customers that have adopted and deployed Sun's open source MySQL database and GlassFish application server software. This Belgium-based enterprise company joins Australian online travel pioneer Wotif.com and hundreds of other companies that now rely on MySQL and GlassFish as a lower-cost, higher-performance alternative to traditional database and application server software.

Former CEO Sanjay Kumar Fingers CA Founder Charles Wang

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:10:00 EDT

From his cell in a federal prison in New Jersey, former CA CEO Sanjay Kumar has pointed an accusing finger at CA founder Charles Wang and said that Wang was the real author of the $2.2 billion accounting fraud that sent Kumar to jail for 12 years and nearly destroyed the company.

Stepping Out of the Sandbox

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EDT

An applet, a Java program that runs in a browser, often has to access the client resources. However, the security manager prevents an applet from accessing client resources. To access client resources, the applet has to have the proper permission. With this permission the applet can then access the client system resources by way of the security manager.

The Role of Event-Driven Architecture in Business Applications

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:45:00 EDT

Three-letter acronyms (TLAs) are hardly new in Information Technology: EAI, ESB, SOA, BPM, BAM, ETL, MDM; the list goes on and on. This article is about yet another three-letter acronym, EDA, which stands for Event-Driven Architecture. EDA is not a brand new technology, but rather a proven paradigm in system-level programs, war and military simulator applications, gaming, and other areas. EDA has started to shape how general-purpose business applications are architected.

Google, Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT

New England-based Egenera has opened a West Coast office in Santa Clara, California, saying it’s a growing market. Google.com, Google’s philanthropic arm, intends to put upwards of $10 million in steam-producing geothermal energy that circulates water through hot rocks to lower the cost of electricity from renewable sources. Google thinks it could be the energy equivalent of a killer app. The money is going to AltaRock Energy Inc in Sausalito and Potter Drilling Inc in Redwood City. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allan’s VC arm Vulcan Capital, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, and Advanced Technology Ventures are piling on the AltaRock deal. Google’s selfish motivation is the cost of its data centers.

Cloud Computing Salesforce.com Announces Record Fiscal 2Q Results

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:30:00 EDT

Salesforce.com recently reported second-quarter net income of $10 million, or 8 cents a share, in line with the mean 8-cent estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. During the year earlier, earnings were $3.74 million, or 3 cents a share. The latest results include about $19 million in stock-based compensation and $1.3 million in amortization of purchased intangibles related to previously announced acquisitions. Revenue for the period ended July 31 rose to $263.1 million from $176.6 million last year. Analysts were looking for revenue of $260.6 million.

Comcast Works with Intel: Java-based 'Widget Channel'

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Comcast Corporation the nation's provider of entertainment, information and communications, announced that they are working with Intel Corporation to bring Internet Protocol (IP) based applications to the television experience set using a new technology co-developed by Intel and called the Widget Channel framework. This technology is an open software development framework that enables the ability to combine Internet-based applications with a TV experience through a widget-based user interface that can be easily accessed while watching television programs. The Widget Channel framework's graphical user interface will let consumers click an onscreen widget to access and view a variety of Internet-based applications or content such as weather updates, news, games, and other -interactive applications on their TV.

Java, Standards, and Free Software in Europe

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Government intervention and direction has long been critical to the development of the computer industry. The Internet, after all, was derived from the ARPANET, developed in the early 1970s from a U.S. government-sponsored research project by the Advanced Research Projects Agency. Today local, national, and supranational governments from Latin America to the United States to Europe continue to influence the development of our industry.

Java SpringSource Partners with Carahsoft

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

SpringSource, the company behind Spring, the de facto standard in enterprise Java, and a provider of infrastructure software, announced a strategic partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corporation, a government IT solutions provider. Under the terms of the partnership, Carahsoft will resell SpringSource products and services to the public sector for the first time. SpringSource Enterprise and Application Platform software offerings, as well as commercial support offerings around Apache Tomcat and other Apache technologies, will be offered under numerous contract programs, including the Federal GSA.

Maximizing Java Performance with Bespoke Programming

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:24:00 EDT

Commercial systems are developed with a huge range of performance requirements and we are concerned in this article with the small number of systems where absolute maximum performance is demanded either in terms of execution speed or available memory. We'll discuss the role of bespoke implementation and show that writing programs that utilize novel data structures and new algorithms designed with knowledge of the specific problem context is a necessary complement to the generic components and automatic optimizations offered by compilers and modern JVMs to maximize performance.

Active Power Selected by Java Sun Microsystems

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EDT

Active Power, Inc., inventor and manufacturer of energy-efficient critical power systems in the world, announced it has sold and shipped one of its CleanSource UPS (uninterruptible power supply) 1200 kVA system to Sun Microsystems. The flywheel based UPS system will provide power protection and conditioning for Sun’s Broomfield, Colo. based data center facility.

Virtual Machines Are Not Free

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Organizations are rapidly consolidating multiple physical servers to virtual environments. There is no debating the cost savings and operational benefits of virtualization. The issues that are now arising as virtualization continues to proliferate are rooted in management and how organizations can gain cost visibility and recover the costs of their virtualization projects. As a result, corporate finance and IT functionalities are moving ever closer together.

Sun Releases Lightweight UI Toolkit for Java Apps

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:30:00 EDT

Sun has released a new development kit aimed at mobile software developers. The toolkit will allow developers to create user interfaces for Java-based mobile phone applications. The package is being made available for download by the company under the title 'Light-weight UI Toolkit' or LWUIT.

Wuala Uses Java to Make Online Storage Social

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EDT

First there was the failure of MediaMax/TheLinkUp, which was based on the idea of pairing online storage with social networking. In its wake comes Wuala, a new service from Zurich-based Caleido that pairs a similar plan with some unique technologies and capabilities.

Critical Java Bugs in Nokia Phones?

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:15:00 EDT

A pair of critical vulnerabilities in Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java technology for mobile devices could be used by hackers to surreptitiously make calls, record conversations and access information on Nokia Series 40 cell phones, a Polish researcher said.

Hershey Selects Skyway Software to Deliver Java App

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Skyway Software, the experts in simplifying software delivery, recently entered into a relationship with The Hershey Company. The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, and Ice Breakers and is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products, with annual revenues of nearly $5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide.

Aladdin Secures Intellectual Property of Java-Based Applications

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Aladdin Knowledge Systems, an information security specialist in authentication, software DRM and content security, announced the release of Aladdin HASP SRMv 3.50, adding automatic file wrapping for Java applications, enhanced security and ease-of-use to Aladdin's award-winning, fully-integrated hardware- and software-based copy protection and licensing solution.

Despite Code Glitch, Sprint Pushes Java for Instinct

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

The Instinct smartphone will gain a wide range of new software as the result of a contest for Java programmers, despite a behind-the-scenes dispute about standards compliance. Co-developed with Samsung, the Instinct is positioned as Sprint’s answer to the Apple iPhone, exclusively sold by rival AT&T in the United States. Unlike software for the iPhone, new programs for the Instinct do not require Sprint’s certification.

SourceLabs Releases Tool for Linux & Java Troubleshooting

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EDT

SourceLabs, the company innovating support and search technology for open source software, released SourceLabs' Self-Support Tools with hardware recognition and advanced tagging. The new features represent a substantial expansion to the company's Support Suite technologies that enable engineers and IT professionals to quickly discover issues and find solutions for open source software.

The SYS-CON Media Annual Readers' Choice Awards Program: Frequently Asked Questions

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The SYS-CON Media Annual Readers' Choice Awards program is a carefully orchestrated user-centric process in which SYS-CON Readers are able each year to nominate and/or vote for the products, services, and applications that they feel are most deserving in the numerous key categories that our team of experts choose each year. Here in the form of an FAQ are the answers to some questions we commonly receive on the Readers' Choice awards.

ESRI and i-cubed's Launch of DataDoors for ArcGIS Advances User Acquisition of National and International Imagery Data

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Aerial and satellite imagery, topographic maps, and terrain data available from ESRI's ArcGIS Online Services can now be accessed and purchased via the Web application DataDoors for ArcGIS. Developed by ESRI business partner i-cubed, the application enables geographic information system (GIS) users to select, order, and acquire a variety of raster data, available online, for offline usage in their GIS projects.

Skyway Software & Atomikos Partner in Java EE App

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EDT

Skyway Software announces a strategic partnership with Atomikos, a firm monitoring transaction processing (TP) activities in today’s software development and delivery activities.

Coverity Introduces Software Readiness Manager for Java

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:30:00 EDT

Coverity, Inc. announced the availability of Coverity Software Readiness Manager for Java. The product allows development managers, release managers and executives to objectively assess the release readiness of their critical code by combining essential data from multiple sources including Prevent, Coverity's static analysis product. Software Readiness Manager helps development teams deliver high-integrity code that successfully meets quality standards to align product development with business goals.

How Can Java Developers Stay Relevant?

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:30:00 EDT

With the rapid evolution that Java and open source frameworks have made since the release of J2EE, enterprise Java IT seems to be producing too many Java dinosaurs. Developers, technical managers, or architects who no longer pursue their technical skills don't understand the evolution of JEE in comparison to J2EE, persistence frameworks, IOC frameworks, Web frameworks, or Web 2.0 and its effects on enterprise Java. Yet decisions are made based on out-of-date J2EE experience.

Java T-Mobile to Create App Store for 'Everyone'

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EDT

T-Mobile has confirmed in the US that it is working with developers to create an Apple like App Store for all, not just some of its handsets.

Desktop Java Editorial: Management – The Final Frontier

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EDT

The finest programmer I've ever worked with told me recently that she was giving up coding altogether. The reason – a succession of inept and incompetent managers had just destroyed her faith in software development. Recounting her experiences over the past couple of years, she categorized management personalities into certain traits.

Real-Time Java Aonix Supports VxWorks

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EDT

Aonix, the provider of the PERC product line for embedded and real-time Java developers, announces the release of PERC Ultra 5.1 cross development and target support on Wind River's VxWorks 6.6 real-time operating system and Wind River Workbench development suite. With more than 1 million field systems in markets such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, industrial control and robotics, PERC Ultra well suits the broad real-time market leadership of VxWorks. These joint solutions will enable developers to take advantage of Java language capabilities while ensuring that critical deterministic behavior requirements can still be met.

Eurotech Delivers Java-Based Software Framework

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:45:00 EDT

Eurotech Inc., a provider of application-ready embedded computer systems, launches the Eurotech Software Framework (ESF) middleware solution, based on service oriented architecture and implemented using IBM Equinox. ESF brings a low cost modular approach to application development by using a mature and scalable Java-based software framework.

Diagnosing Performance Issues in Production Java Applications

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Java developers use a variety of tools to diagnose performance problems. These tools provide deep visibility into an application's runtime behavior, including an in-depth view into problem areas with exact line numbers and object values. However, these tools have traditionally been limited to development environments.

DevExpress Channel is Now Broadcasting Product Training Videos and Live Interviews

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:32:00 EDT

DevExpress is proud to announce the newest addition to its web properties - the DevExpress Channel – broadcasting at tv.devexpress.com. The DevExpress Channel offers our software development community access to over 100 product training videos and dozens of one on one interviews.

Sun Eclipsed by Economy

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:15:00 EDT

If Sun hadn’t done that one-for-four reverse stock split in November and turned its $5 stock into a $20 stock, it would now be a $2 stock. Instead, it’s a $9 stock, down more than 50%. And things don’t look like they’re gonna get much better. So it’s going to peel off another billion of that fortune it’s still got in the bank and buy back more stock.

Cloud Computing - Game Changing?

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:35:00 EDT

Anything as a Service (XaaX) is potentially game-changing technology that could reshape IT. Amazon, Google and Salesforce.com have the most mature offerings. Other companies like IBM, AT&T, and Verizon are jumping on the ‘cloud’ bandwagon. Will it attract large number of customers? I think IT executives of large organizations will stay on the sidelines and will decide not to enter the cloud now, during its infancy.

JavaFX Can Help Java Developers to Build and Deploy RIAs

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:30:00 EDT

"Only the Java platform is pervasive enough to allow developers to build and deploy RIAs across desktops and browsers on more than 800 million PCs, as well as billions of mobile phones and devices," said Ken Wallich, VP of JavaFX at Sun. "JavaFX builds upon this foundation to deliver immersive and rich presentation capabilities to the existing Java platform,” he declared.

VirtualLogix Introduces Carrier Grade Virtualization

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:15:00 EDT

VirtualLogix announced Carrier Grade Virtualization, a solution that meets the performance, security, serviceability and availability needs of next generation, multicore-based carrier grade systems. VirtualLogix Carrier Grade Virtualization reduces the cost and complexity of maintaining carrier grade properties in edge and core network elements such as IP Multimedia System (IMS) nodes. As a result, networking and telecommunication original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can now reuse existing investments in their carrier grade systems while gaining the benefits of using VirtualLogix VLX real-time virtualization software. These benefits include faster adoption of multicore architectures and consolidation of hardware, reduced bill of materials, increased availability, improved time to market, and more efficient designs as a result.

TRANGO Hypervisor Demonstrates Secure Platform Virtualization on TI OMAP3430 Processor

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

TRANGO Virtual Processors delivers isolation and portability of operating systems and drivers on the TI OMAP 3 platform. The TRANGO Hypervisor offers a broad choice of operating system (OS) and real-time operating system (RTOS) including Linux, Windows Embedded CE, Symbian OS, eCos, uC-OSII, uITRON and other proprietary RTOS, while the OMAP 3 platform, based on ARM Cortex-A8 processor, offers up to 3X performance gain over ARM11 based processors. The combination delivers isolation, flexibility and cost optimization benefits to the design of today's convergent wireless devices.

TRANGO Virtual Processors Announces Secure Virtualization for Operating Systems

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

TRANGO Virtual Processors announced that it has added support for the uITRON RTOS to the growing list of operating systems.hosted by the TRANGO Hypervisor. TRANGO's secure isolation, robust protection of critical data and services, and the company's steadfast commitment to providing the thinnest, lightest hypervisor in the commercial marketplace makes this a compelling solution for applications such as multifunction printers, medical equipment, cell phones, and set top boxes.

What Does the Future Hold for the Java Language?

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Before Java I was a Smalltalk guy. I remember switching from one language to the other and the tipping point that you reach when you've mastered the new language and how many months it takes, not to mention the years, to do really good design and know-how, which patterns to apply and how to avoid mistakes, understand performance issues, and so forth.

Rating JRuby, Jython, and Groovy on the Java Platform

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:15:00 EDT

Open source software, while not synonymous with Java, may often be seamlessly integrated with Java code to produce a versatile synthesis that makes developers' lives much easier. In recent years, developers have taken some open source dynamic languages, commonly referred to as 'scripting languages,' and adapted them to the more mainstream Java platform.

Trustware Releases New Version Of Desktop Virtualization Security Software

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:00 EDT

Trustware unveiled a new version of its powerful security software application, BufferZone Pro 3.0. With close to 2 million installations worldwide, BufferZone has become the de-facto standard for browser and application based virtualization security. By creating a 'buffer zone' between the Internet and the users' local PC environment, consumers can browse the Web, chat on IM, open email attachments, download files and other confidential information - all without the fear of malware attacks.

General Dynamics to Deliver Trusted Virtualization Environment

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:00 EDT

General Dynamics C4 Systems has selected the OptiPlex 755 desktop by Dell as the computer hardware to host its Trusted Virtual Environment (TVE), a High Assurance Platform (HAP)-compliant workstation intended for classified work by government users. The workstation enables individuals to use a single computer workstation to securely access information and applications from multiple networks, at different classification levels, as opposed to limiting a computer to a single security level.

Tripwire ConfigCheck Now Assesses VMware ESX 3.0 Hypervisor Virtualization Configurations to Improve Security

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EDT

Tripwire announced the availability of Tripwire ConfigCheck for VMware ESX 3.0. Tripwire ConfigCheck is a free utility that assesses configuration settings for VMware ESX 3.0 and 3.5 hypervisors, determines potential configuration risks, and provides prescriptive remediation advice so that administrators can ensure greater security.

BakBone Simplifies VMware Virtualization for The Latin School of Chicago

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EDT

BakBone is providing comprehensive, easy-to-manage VMware and heterogeneous data protection solutions for The Latin School of Chicago, helping the school keep its focus on students, rather than data protection. An independent, coeducational day school located on the Near North Side of Chicago, The Latin School of Chicago ranks among the nation's best schools in the informed use of technology in the classroom and for school administration. They utilize technology to support efficient, reliable operation of the school and provide tools that enhance both internal and external communications.

VMware Reports Second-Quarter 2008 Results

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

VMware reported financial results for the second quarter of 2008: Revenues for the second quarter were $456 million, an increase of 54% from the second quarter of 2007. GAAP operating income for the second quarter was $61 million, compared to $47 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP operating income was $112 million, an increase of 52% from the second quarter of 2007.

AMD CEO Steps Down

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT

CEO Hector Ruiz, increasingly blamed for the harrowing of AMD, stepped down during the company's Q2 conference call with Wall Street Thursday in favor of his sidekick, AMD president and patent-carrying engineer Dirk Meyer, the guy who used to run AMD's chip operation and was responsible for the Opteron chip that brought grief to Intel. Since the two have been so closed aligned it is unclear whether the change will make any substantive difference in AMD's fortunes.

Java SpringSource Announces Enterprise Application

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EDT

SpringSource, the company behind Spring, the de facto standard in enterprise Java, and a leading provider of infrastructure software, today announced the general availability of SpringSource Enterprise. SpringSource Enterprise delivers the software, services, and technical support necessary to develop and run Spring-powered enterprise applications more productively, securely and with the greatest uptime.

Citrix' Project Kensho To Create Hypervisor-Independent Application Workloads

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Citrix on Tuesday announced Project Kensho, which is supposed to deliver Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF) tools that will let ISVs and enterprise IT folk create portable hypervisor-independent enterprise application workloads that should run across XenServer, Hyper-V and VMware ESX virtual environments. Citrix is expecting to have a free technical preview for download in September.

The Right Time for Real Time Java

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EDT

Faced with the demands of mission-critical applications, many enterprise developers have pushed the Java language and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to the limit. The most common issue seen in transactional environments is achieving predictable response time or latency - in other words, the time it takes the system to respond to a request or to move a transaction through the IT infrastructure.