Joe Winchester

Java serialization was initially used to support remote method invocation (RMI), allowing argument objects to be passed between two virtual machines. RMI works best when the two VMs contain compatible versions of the class being transmitted, and can reliably transmit a binary representation of the object based on its internal state. When an object is serialized, it must also serialize the objects to which its fields refer - resulting in what is commonly called an object graph of connected components. Although the transient keyword can be used to control the extent to which the serialization process penetrates the object graph, this level of control is seldom enough. Many have tried to use Java's serialization to achieve the so-called "long-term persistence" of data - where the serialized form of a Java data structure is written to a file for later use. One such area... (more)

Joe Winchester's Java Blog: Is the AJAX Bullet Coated in Fool's Silver?

Is the AJAX Bullet Coated in Fool’s Silver? Ajax is an odd beast, because it gives a very rich user experience when compared to a traditional web page (Yakov writes wonderfully about this at http://java.sys-con.com/read/163232.htm), however apart from that it’s hard to figure out what is so great about it.  Good technology wins in the long run because of tooling (something Microsoft know and excelt at), so what is the lure of Ajax ?  I think it’s simply that it allows logic be put in one file – in your HTML (or servlet, JSP, ASP or whatever kicks out HTML)... (more)

Where Are the High-Level Design Open Source Tools for Java?

I have just finished reviewing the book Open Source Development Tools for Java, which provides excellent coverage of such topics as log4J, CVS, Ant, and JUnit. There is a chapter on UML tools though in which the author almost apologizes for the lack of good open source design tools. There is a plethora of projects on SourceForge.net from J2EE runtime frameworks to IDE plugins, yet there is almost nothing that encroaches upward into the arena of analysis and design tools. One theory for this is that high-level design tools are the value-add that software vendors hold back from th... (more)

The Vision for Eclipse: An Interview with Mike Milinkovich

Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation, has been kind enough to answer some questions for Enterprise Open Source Magazine. Rather than rattle off the usual ones about the name, about why Swing wasn't used, or how much influence IBM still has, Mike has fielded questions on some more current and topical subjects, as well as given us his insights onto the future. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Mike. View Milinkovich on SYS-CON.TV EOSM: The Eclipse Foundation recently joined the Java Community Process. Can you tell us how this is going and what you ex... (more)

Desktop Java

Java is enjoying a renaissance on the desktop. There are several reasons for this The issues that plagued early client/server projects or Java desktop applications have largely been solved. Swing 1.4.2 delivered great performance improvements and good fidelity XP and GTK look and feel classes. Java Web Start now exists as a way to deploy programs to a client PC that run in a local JRE and enjoy the benefits of local caching, lazy update, and execution within Java's security model Java is becoming part of the default installation setup for many PCs vendors, such as Dell, HP, Gatew... (more)