GNU and the Java language

Table of Contents

• GNU and Java: An overview
• Contributing Java programs to GNU
• Finding out more
• Original Java

GNU and Java: An overview

The GNU project fully supports the Java language. If you are using Java you probably want to read about how to run Java programs or develop Java software with the GNU operating system:

• GCJ (The GNU Compiler for Java) has been integrated in GCC release 3.0.

• Since July 1998, Kaffe, a free implementation of Java, has been able to run most Java programs on a completely free operating system. There is also another Java Virtual Machine implementation called Japhar, though we primarily recommend Kaffe.

• Free tools that can help with developing Java code are available.
• The GNU package registry lists the packages under the gnu namespace.

The GNU project has several important Java projects where we could use your help:

• The Classpath project aims to develop a free and portable implementation of the Java API (the classes in the Java package). The Classpath project does not have a complete implementation of the API yet but it is almost complete to version 1.2. Unfortunately, Classpath does not yet run with Kaffe - but we are working on it!
• The Classpathx project is developing free implementations of all the extension libraries in popular use. This is a large and varied list, from XML processing to voice and image manipulation.
• The Mauve project is developing a free test harness for Java class library code. Help them write test cases.
• the Kawa project is building a Scheme compiler using Java.
• The Paperclips project is building a free servlet/http engine in Java. The engine supports filtering and has a session load balancer.

In addition there are projects and programs created by other individuals which form part of the GNU Java effort. We maintain a list of Java programs that have been contributed. It also contains information about other Java programs which we feel is worth mentioning.

We also maintain a small list of self printing Java programs. These programs are amusing to write and debug and can be instructive as well! We're always interested to see new ideas about self printing programs.

Contributing Java programs to GNU

The GNU project accepts programs written in Java. To become a part of the GNU project your program must conform to all the normal standards for GNU programs.

In addition we accept submissions of free Java programs for inclusion on our Java software page and our self printing Java page.

Either way, do please contact us with your submissions at: [email protected].

Finding out more

These pages should help you find out what is going on with GNU Java. You can also join our mailing list by sending a mail with the subject line:

  subscribe

Original Java

Let's not forget that Java is also the name of the most populous island in Indonesia, which contains the capital Jakarta and dominates the other islands.

Java is one of the main centers of gamelan music. If you have not listened to central Javanese gamelan music, we encourage you to try it. The smaller neighboring island of Bali has its own styles of gamelan music, which are very different in spirit from Javanese, so try them both.

Until 1998, Indonesia was ruled by General Suharto, whose corrupt dictatorship which held stacked ``elections'' but imprisoned (or murdered) real opposition. Suharto came to power in 1965/66, as troops and paramilitaries killed some half a million people who were suspected of supporting the (formerly legal) Communist party.

The books of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, arguably Indonesia's greatest living author, are banned there, but some are available in English translation in English-speaking countries. (Pronounce the `oe' as in Dutch--like the `oo' in `food'.)

In 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor (a Portuguese colony then on the verge of receiving independence); in the next two decades, Indonesian forces murdered some 1/5 of the Timorese population. In September 1999, a UN-sponsored plebiscite was held in East Timor; 78 percent of the voters chose independence. After this, Indonesian troops and paramilitaries launched another campaign of destruction.

The US Government generally uses its considerable leverage with Indonesia to promote copyright enforcement, rather than human rights or democracy. It made a reluctant exception in September 1999 under the pressure of world-wide outrage.

With the help of international pressure, East Timor is now on its way to independence; but in June 2001 tens of thousands of East Timorese who fled the violence or were kidnapped by Indonesian forces are not being allowed to return to East Timor.

In the US, the East Timor Action Network works to inform the public about these events, and pushes to end US support for the Indonesian government and military.

Please send FSF & GNU inquiries & questions to [email protected]. There are also other ways to contact the FSF.

Please send comments on these web pages to [email protected], send other questions to [email protected].

Copyright (C) 1997, 1998, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.

Last updated: Last modified: Sat Jan 4 08:26:16 BRST 2003