🚀 go-pugleaf

Ken Irving wrote:
> 
> In article <mac.318.3115D621@zeus.hsrc.ac.za>, mac@zeus.hsrc.ac.za says...
> >
> >Since I can never get into Sun's Java site, perhaps someone could clarify what
> >Java is.. I have heard the following:
> >
> >- Java is an interpreter for the JavaScript scripting language.
> >
> Sounds likely, but don't know.

No.  JavaScript was originally Netscape's LiveScript.  Later, Netscape and Sun entered into some 
agreement (not sure of what form it was) to codevelop(?) JavaScript.  Although similar, they do 
differ in a number of ways.  Check comp.lang.java and comp.lang.javascript.  

> 
> >- Java produces p-code (or someting similar) for Internet Java browser to
> >interpret.
> >
> Pretty much.

Java produces platform independent bytecode.  It is then up to the end-"interpreter" to "finish"
the compile for the endmachine.

> 
> >- Java is a full compiler that produces .EXE files using a language that is
> >C++-like in syntax but with less indeterminacies and a single-inheritance
> >object hierarchy.
> 
> Partly right.
> >
> >- Java is all of these
> >
> >All revelations gratefully received ....
> >
> 
> I've read a bit on Java, haven't used it (yet).  My understanding is that Java,
> the language, is an object-oriented language much like C++ except lacking all
> the baggage, compromises, concessions, etc. of C++. Java compiles to bytecodes,
> p-code, that is interpreted (or otherwise used) by a *browser*.  But it could
> also be interpreted by a compiler on any system, yielding a native executable.

Correct, which makes debugging it wonderful :)

> 
> The main thing is that this thing is seriously portable! The user's machine is
> irrelevant, your program will run on anything that can run a suitable browser.
> Highly OO-able too.

I wonder how long it'll take before apps start talking to each other using some
derivative of Java across a heterogeneous network.  Would be interesting to see programs
become somewhat dynamic, uncaring of the end-machine.  Hrrrmmmmmmmmm


-- 
 /----------------------------------------------------------------------\
<> Stephan K. Zitz                  <>  My mind is my best friend...    <>
<> mailto:zitz@texas.net            <>  And my worst enemy.             <>
<> http://www.texas.net/~zitz       <>                                  <>
<>..................................<>..................................<>
<>  "Intelligence is the ultimate aphrodisiac" -- Timothy Leary         <>
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