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Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 18:11:34 -0700
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From: tsarna@endicor.com (Ty Sarna)
To: Multiple recipients of list <lightwave@garcia.com>
Subject: Re: APPLE and SUN Announcement
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In article <199604172332.TAA02524@norden1.com>,
Tim Krego <lightwave@garcia.com> wrote:
> While I think everyone should keep an eye on the continuing development of
> the internet I feel NewTek should really concentrate on LW. Really, where
> does NewTek think Java is going to get them? This press release is mostly
I think you've missed the point, though the PR was somewhat misleading
with the Internet reference (which I assume was for coolness factor).
If I'm right, they intend to use Java as a Rexx/BML replacement. What
does this buy them?
- A scripting language that is machine-independant, can be "compiled"
on one machine and run on several. It's the ability to write,
compile and test plugins on that one machine, yet be able
to then distribute that compiled plugin to users of all LW platforms
with a high probability of it working identically on all of them.
That's VERY useful.
- The "compiled" (bytecode) plugins could then themselves be compiled
(to true native machine code) on at least some of the systems, for
an aditional speed increase.
- It's a reasonably decent language (unlike Rexx).
- A well-known language (unlike BML, and to a lesser extent Rexx) that
over time more and more people will know. Look at all the Java books
in all the bookstores. Each one could suddently turn into a LW
Plugin author's guide (minus the LW-specific parts, of course)!
Meanwhile, there are only a few Rexx books, and no BML books.
These things mean more plugins on more (all) platforms from third
parties.
This strikes me as one of the smartest moves NT has made in a quite a while.
> just marketing crap and in the long wrong probably won't amount to much.
It also buys them:
- Buzzword Factor, because they can mention Java and the Internet.
You're right, this doesn't amount to much, but it IS good marketing