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Java Library
There are two new Java libraries, and a host of updates to
existing Java libraries. The new libraries are the Java
Concurrency Utilities (JSR-166) which provide advanced
multithreading controls, and the JVM Profiling API (JSR-163),
which is a more powerful native profiling API called JVMTI.
The concurrency utilities provide advanced, high-level
multithreading capabilities such as thread-safe queues, a thread
task framework through executors, locks (including semaphores),
timers, and various other synchronization primitives. For more
details, explore the JavaDocs under java.lang.concurrent.
The JVMTI implementation includes Java Programming Language
Instrumentation Services (JPLIS) which function at the bytecode
level to enable analysis tools to add profiling, monitoring, and
debugging where it is needed. This technique provides great
flexibility and limits the interference of profiling and
monitoring tools on a currently executing JVM. For more details,
explore the JavaDocs under java.lang.instrument. A wide range of
other existing Java libraries have received important updates,
including the Utility package, Networking, Security, RMI, JDBC,
and the CORBA libraries.
Desktop (UI)
J2SE 5.0 has taken some significant
strides to address the traditionally slow startup time and
heavy-weight memory footprint that has traditionally plagued
Java desktop applications. The new version boasts enhanced font
capabilities (especially to support localization and
internationalization), many updates to Java Sound (broader
platform support, optimized direct audio access, an improved and
real-time Sequencer, etc.), hardware-accelerated rendering for
Java 2D using OpenGL drivers, and even a new skin changing look
and feel (Synth) and Theme (Ocean) for Swing.
Virtual Machine
Error Handling – Although the improvements are simple,
the value is tremendous. Java developers now have the ability to
capture stack traces as String objects and use them however they
need to using the getStackTrace and Thread.getAllStackTraces,
rather than being forced to send Stack Trace information to the
console. Additionally, the HotSpot JVM has been updated to
include a fatal error handler for running a user-supplied script
or program if the JVM dies. Finally, the HotSpot JVM has been
given a serviceability agent connector that permits monitoring
and debugging tools to connect to a hung JVM or core file and
extract relevant diagnostic data.
Management and Monitoring – From instrumentation (JPLIS) to Java
Management Extensions (JMX) support, to support of remote access
protocols and SNMP tools, management and monitoring have been
greatly enhanced with J2SE 5.0. All of this is ready to use out
of the box, supporting local and remote management and
monitoring of a running JVM.
Performance and Scalability – A
great deal of attention has been given to the subject of
performance in this latest release of the core Java platform.
Java 5 starts more quickly, leaves a smaller memory footprint,
and offers enhanced scalability by enabling multiple JVMs to
share read-only data. One really interesting enhancement is the
ability to designate the role of a JVM as either a ‘client’ or a
‘server’. The JVM then automatically tunes itself to provide the
optimum environment for the specified role, delivering enhanced
performance, garbage collection, and thread prioritization.
Analysis of Java 5
Overall, J2SE 5.0 has really aimed to make developing Java
software easier. From language features that save time and
effort (generics, formatted I/O, metadata, varargs, etc.), to
enhanced error handling, JVM management, performance and
scalability, and many Java library updates to ease common
developer headaches.
With the inclusion of generics, overhauled JVM, and emphasis
upon performance and scalability of the platform, the Sun
engineering team addressed all the major items on my list of
desired improvements to the Java platform. The only other thing
that I really wished I had seen with this release was an
enhanced Java Reference API to support more object-oriented
caching capabilities within the platform straight out of the box
(rather than relying upon this value-add from external vendors).
Conclusion
Java has come a long way over the past nine years. The strides
made in this new release of the Java platform will no doubt be
significant for the viability of the platform. It is critical
that Sun shows the industry that Java is still an innovative
platform that is robust enough and flexible enough to meet the
ever-changing climate of the Information Technology sector. If
the industry takes a close look at Java 5, I believe they will
see that this is, in fact, the case. Go Tiger – 1, 2, …5!
Kyle Gabhart is an
independent consultant and subject matter expert in Java, J2EE,
XML, and Web Services. He has provided consulting and training
services for a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, including
Verizon, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, TIAA-CREF,
Blockbuster, American Express, L-3 Communications, Dow Jones,
and many more. Kyle is also a popular public speaker and
prolific author, having co-authored 2 books and written over 40
technical articles.
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