Modular Heterogeneous System Development: A Critical Analysis of Java

Summary: Pending
This paper was given to JNW by Koichi Havuna on his visit to GMU, April 6. 1998. Java supports heterogeneous applications by transforming a heterogeneous network of machines into a homogeneous netowork of Java virtual machines. This approach abstracts over many of the complications that arise fromo heterogeneity, providing a uniform API to all components of an application. However, for many applicaitons hetergeneity is an intentional feature where components and resources are co-located for optimal performance. We argue that Java's API does not provide an effective means for building applications in such an environment. Specifically, we suggest improvements to Java's existing mechanisims for maintaining consistency and controlling resources. We also consider the recent addtion of a COBRA API in JDK 1.2. We argue that while such an approach provides greater flexibility for heterogeneous applications, many key problems still exist from an architectural standpoint. Finally, we consider the future of Java as a foundation for component-based software in heterogeneous environments and suggest architectural abstractions which will prove key to the successful development of such systems. We drive the discussion with examples and suggestions from our own work on the Actor model of computation.

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Read 108 times Last modified on Sunday, 07 May 2017 12:43
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