Java is cross-platform, most of Java Apps don't need install(unpack and use), don't read/write Windows registry, don't modify any files except it's profile, don't copy any files but it's install folder, they only depents Java VM.
So many desktop apps is based on Java. eg: Azureus, Eclipse, BlogBridge, CrossFTP, jEdit, JamP, etc. And also, there are so many server/web apps based on Java, eg: Tomcat, JBoss, JavaDB/Derby, HSQLDB, H2, db4o, and other FTP/LDAP/DNS server software. We can use web apps to manage our infomations, in many instance, that's better than desktop apps.
Java Apps is very clear, and make them portable is very easy. And also, we can make Apps as one package, cross-platform(not multi-platform).
So why don't we use Java Apps instead of native apps? At 5 years ago , maybe we can say "Java is slowly", but in these years, that's not a problem, because our hardware is faster, and Java is more optimized.
To make a Java App portable, all we need is a Java VM, a launcher(in fact, Java Apps don't need a launcher, but we need a beautiful icon, and let it able to add to Portable Apps Menu/Portable Dock), and some image resources. The launcher processes profiles, and lauch main program, that's easy.
To make a Windows launcher, use Launch4J(open source), or Exe4J(commercial).
To make a Mac OS X launcher, read this:
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/JavaLP/JavaToMac/
To make a Linux/*nix launcher, write a shell script.
Maybe we also want a cross-platform Portable Menu/Dock, that's better.
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We are doing Java apps, John is just "finalizing" the way Java Portable works.
And some Java apps write to the evil Registry.
add that to the list of microsoft's failures
1. Registry
2. DLL HE-you know what goes here-
3. random data files that have no real point being written and taking up space.
(...I won't post anymore of these)
[back to topic]
Can't wait till Java Portable (will that be the name?) comes out. I've found some Java apps I like that I wish I could use.
Of course, I could be waiting awhile (and I quote "It's Done When It's Done.")
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
1. Absolutely.
2. That's not Microsoft's fault. If a person/company decides to release a program without the necessary libraries, that's their issue.
3. It's unlikely that any of those "random data files" don't have a purpose.
Vintage!
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Actually .NET was a good idea. The only problem is there is no linker.
cowsay Moo
cowthink 'Dude, why are you staring at me.'
Yes, .NET has cross-platform ability, but you should use Mono, a Novell project.
Actuality, .NET application is not many.
1. The registry was made successfully in other apps/systems (ex: Firefox, what do you think it is the about:config?; and Gnome registry, only for Gnome settings)
2. Don't know nothing about this one (no expert), but I can understand that it is a pain in the a--you also know what it goes here
--
3. Many apps use and abuse of these and shouldn't.
4. .NET Framework could have been a great thing, if (as all other M$' projects) not made by them
Blue is everything.
This is about MS Windows itself, not apps that run on the platform.
Vintage!
I know, I was talking of:
1. Examples Of things made well where M$ failed;
2. M$
3. App that use M$ errors
4. M$
Blue is everything.
I was talking about was the .ds_store files. It is normally unseen to people because it's a windows system file (i think), but plug the flash-drive up to a mac, it is seen by every computer (including windows) after that.
Another is the MSCache folder (I think that is what it's called). It a cache folder (duh...) on the C:\ created by (as far as I know) some microsoft installers (the newest beta of visual web developer for example). I need to find out if I can delete it because as of now it is taking up almost gig of my hard drive space (I installed alot of the horrid .net betas to try them out).
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
.ds_store files are created by Macs (Finder uses them IIRC, though for what I have no idea). Obviously, if you plug a drive into a Mac, and you get a file you've never seen before, the Mac put it there.
Vintage!
I didn't know.
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
I'm guessing, but I'd have to say it's probably for the same reason windows creates Thumbs.db files: to cache the icon/picture previews in the folder.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
They are to store icon positions, backgroud image, etc.
More Info
cowsay Moo
cowthink 'Dude, why are you staring at me.'
Java is cross-platform, most of Java Apps don't need install(unpack and use), don't read/write Windows registry, don't modify any files except it's profile, don't copy any files but it's install folder, they only depents Java VM.
All the Java apps I have on my computer were install, most (if not all) write to the registry and write to various files. Add to that the fact that the only way to easily change where it saves its data to is to change the %HOME% environment variable and they are easily much harder than many portable apps to package.
Maybe we also want a cross-platform Portable Menu/Dock, that's better.
Delphi code (which the menu is written in) can be compiled on other platforms, using software like Kylix.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Look at sumatra pdf for example. It`s written in C++, portable by standard, setting up explorer addin is done with a simple click, no need for any vm and it`s very fast.
Java is simply to slow. Could firefox/opera be done with java? No? Then it`s not a serious programing language... Bigger apps like Azureus are bloaded, either you have a very fast comp or you have to deal with slow load times and behavior of this program.
Why we don`t already have java portable editon? Because of java is only "nearly" open source. Search the forum, John needed a while with discussing them about that issues. Also because java is only "nearly" open source third party projects did try to make a free implementation of java (kaffee) but them did never finished. Also the java hotspot compiler (compile java to fast machine code which runs on a single platform without vm) is not finished because of that reason.
Seriously, java was a nice try, but it got messed up with license issues in past. It`s good for some things but at all C++ + Qt/Gtk is better and also multi platform (sumatra, firefox, opera show how professional software works).
Java is under GPLv2 from last year. Why you say that is "nearly open source"?
Java isn't a serious programing language? Are you joking?
Java absolutely is a serious programing language!
Java is not good for some thing like multimedia/graphics but good for others.
...usage on machines that do not first have Java installed on 'em.
Period.
Which pretty much refutes the title you chose for this very thread in the 1st place.
IOW, methinks that you are overlooking the patently obvious here:
- For all its pluses, the basic fact is that UNTIL java itself comes out in a portable flavor, none of the apps written for it can ever BE "portable", because not all machines everywhere HAVE java.
Comprendes?...
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
To go a bit further:
Many machines start out with Java, but don't keep it up to date.
On other machines, the VM has not been installed by default. The rule with Portable apps is that you shouldn't rely on installing stuff on the host machine you plug into, since you might not have access to an Administrator account.
So, yes, Java CAN run on many platforms, and (I'm told) it is a very capable programming language. But until it is available on every machine, you can't claim it is available on every machine (doh). The way to make it available on every machine you come to is to be able to take a copy of the VM with you that you don't need to install ... or carry with you an alternative way to get at your data. If you have to carry an alternative to every Java app you carry with you, you might as well just carry the alternative and leave the Java app at home.
MC
java is portable, no need to install, just copy to a pendrive.
Wrong!!! Have you been paying any attention to the various discussions on Java throughout the forums?
Vintage!
...what rab040ma said...
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
I don't believe that all the components needed to compile it are open source yet.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."