beTech :: Evolve Already

Java junkies that felt excluded from the Web 2.0 house party can lace up their shoes—it’s time to dance. Recent developments are opening up new possibilities for Java developers in the realm of Web 2.0.

Sun’s Java DB is an all Java relational database management system based on Apache Derby. All that’s required to run this little 2MB gem is Java Virtual Machine, which means it can reside in the client’s browser. Even when offline! Java DB is starting to develop a following as developers realize it can maintain Ajax’s database dependent functionality even when the connection to the server is lost (see JavaDB: An idea whose time has finally come?). It may even give new life to the applet.

Speaking of Ajax, Google just announced the Google Web Toolkit (GWT)—a Java development framework for developing Ajax applications. GWT allows Java programmers to do their thing and let the GWT compiler create browser-compliant HTML and JavaScript. It offers all the cool stuff including reusable UI components, real debugging, and automatic browser compatibility. Hmmm, wonder how this compares to Sun’s JavaServer Faces Technology.

And the last little nugget of Java news is that Sun is promising an open source Java soon. According to CEO Jonathan Schwartz, it’s not a matter of when but how. Interesting days indeed.

AJaX Info provides an insightful breakdown of the technologies vying with AJaX for a foothold in the Web 2.0/Rich Internet Application arena. Included comparisons include Flash, XUL, XAML, SVG, and Java Applets.

The next Charlottesville Java Users Group meeting is September 6, 6-8pm at Darden (Room 130).

Topic: round-table: talk about your project for 10 or 15 minutes

Details: We will have a round-table for talking about projects each of us is currently working on. The overhead projector will be available and likely an internet connection (though simply describing the project without a computer is fine!). Please be ready to go so that we have minimal time between each person. Intalgent is sponsoring this meeting–providing pizza and sodas. Directions are available at the C’ville JUG site.

Please share! Show us what you’re working on–at work or at home!

P.S. Your project does not need to be using Java - we’re open to all technologies, languages, and environments.