ApacheHarmony

Pointers

• http://incubator.apache.org/harmony/
• ApacheCon

ApacheCon 2005 Notes

• presentation by Geir Magnusson Jr. (Intel)
• The Apache Software Foundation
• geirm@apache.org

develop a complete, compatible implementation of J2SE5

• Tools - hard - eclipse
• java vm and jit - harder
• speed, memory
• 100% compatible - pass the TCK
• 10 years behind SUN
• not interested in J2ME at this point

new project in apache incubator

• sun is cautiously supportive

java is still seen as a closed technology

• second class citizen in the FOSS community
• can't be shipped with linux
• not the first choice now - due to licensing issues
• mono is more free/open - want to choose java instead

critics

• fork java - no plan to do this - compatibility
• too hard - linux has shown this can work

mustang

• SUN's j2se6
• still not FOSS

other approaches

kaffe

• the borg of free vms
• really portable, kinda slow

GNU Classpath

• java class library
• long running project, working toward j2se 1.4

JikesRVM - java in java - research jvm

• in it's heyday - faster than production c/c++
• less money in this project today

ORP: C/C++ research VM

• funded by intel
• another research VM
• ongoing work

GCJ - head of time compiler

• produces native binaries out of your java
• uses GNU Classpath

IKVM

• runs java bytecode on mono
• downright studly - very fast execution
• uses GNU Classpath

JavaLi - http://www.javali.org.br

• part of the harmony commmunity
• massive govt support
• certified compatible FOSS J2SE platform implementation

modular implementation

• allow different components to plug in
• well defined set of interfaces between them
• freedom of choice for components - JIT, GC, Thread manager, OS Glue
• freedom of license for components - free, open soruce, proprietary
• allows developers to work on one little piece

reuse

• GNU Classpath
• JamVM, Jikes RVM, etc.

protection of IP rights

• individual contributors have been exposed to class library source
• some could have worked on other VM or class libraries

doing an indempendent implementation of the existing spec

legal framework

• standard ASF procedure for code acceptance - ICLA and CCLA ?
• authorized contributors - declare areas of previous exposure, don't work in those areas
• bulk contributors - for software repurposed from elsewhere
• JRL - java research license - clarified
  • you're not 'tainted' if you saw the source at some point

contributions

JCHEVM - JC 'harmony edition' vm

• converts java bytecode into C and compiles at runtime
• allows parts of VM to be in Java

bootVM

• "Pedantic VM" by Dan Lydick
• Straight C
• Still in progress
• interpreted, no JIT, no GC, lots of work to be done

intel contributions

• java security apis (pulic API)
• cyrptop architecture (JCA)
• lots more

IBK contributions

• foudation code - vmi, port thread, util, zip
• enough class library code to run Ant and Eclipse java compiler (not ide)
• launcher - multiple VM implementations using a standard VM API
• platform support - windows and linux on 32-bit intel

IBM J9 VM binary (not source)

• very good production-grade VM
• evaluation of contribution
• will get away from this eventually, can use now to test against

going forward - a wishful plan

Q1 2006 - VM - basic VM w/suport for our VMI

• Classlib: more
• Tools: basics in place
• Community - diversify and grow - grow to 20 active commiters
• meaningful architecture discussion and specs
• infra - coherent build, continuous testing, stability
• harmony test suite augments others - Mauve
• continuous IP surveillance

Q2 2006

• Classlib - enough for eclipse
• Tools: done
• Modularity for class library and VM componentization
• community - focused subgroups
• Infra - get TCK

Q3 2006

• respectable JIT and GC
• more 1.5 features

Q4 2006

• vm performance
• enough code for Geronimo
• respectable functioning JDK brings users, participation by Sun

2007

• Harmony 1.0?

community challenges

• licensing bridge - how to work with GPL
• how to incorporate expert communities not familiar with wild west of OSS
• how to introduce and manage big company involvement

legal / IP challenges

• how to handle patches
• IP surveillance on our codebase
• anticipate the suprises

summary

• building commmunity
• building framework
• accepted 5 donations - 2 VM, 1 POC for componentization, 2 class libraries