Java 5: Unleash the Tiger on Your Next Project Overall Analysis of Java 5 Kyle Gabhart
Overall 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 has addressed all the major items on my personal list of desired improvements to the Java platform. The only other thing that I had really hoped to see in 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!
