Kevin Williams wrote:
> I *really* didn't want to continue this touchy thread, but I'd like to
> help. If I'm wrong or my opinions are offensive, certainly some kind
> soul will enlighten me.
>
> I wonder if I feel the same way other Java enthusiasts do. The language
> bindings are uncomfortable for Java. Perl and Python embrace calling
> functions at specific memory addresses in native libraries. Java's
> Virtual Machine insulates the Java code and the machine from each other.
> The fundamental nature of calling native libraries goes against the
> ideal of the virtual machine.
>
> The Java developer's kit provides JNI as an accepted (stable?) means of
> accessing native code from within the VM. Native calls "un-managed in
> .NET" are looked upon as "the last resort". I'm reminded of the hiker
> who cut his arm off with a pocket knife to free himself from the
> boulder, only after spending days calling for help and trying to think
> of another way out. All Java developers I've talked to approach JNI the
> same way.
>
> This all leaves Java developers without the same warm fuzzy feeling
> everyone else seems to have about programming against the Subversion
> code. This is why I'm excited about Alexander Kitaev's work on porting
> the Subversion client API to pure Java. I can see why it's more work
> than Subversion's developers would deem necessary, but I can only hope
> they see how much nicer it will be for Java developers. Eclipse is a
> good example of the kind of man-hours, corporate backing, and
> mind-numbing work it takes to mesh native code and Java code. They've
> made it work, but for most people there are better ways to achieve the
> desired result in Java.
You have a much more realistic outlook - re-creating a restricted
implementation of a subversion client in another language, whilst still a
large undertaking, is a far more feasible goal than attempting to change the
direction of the entire subversion project.
Max.
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Received on Sat Nov 27 11:08:48 2004