Ask HN: Why Microsoft not contributed to Java language?

1 points by wartakode 7 years ago | 5 comments

I'm not Java expert, and only experienced with Java web (Spring) and some old-android app for 2 year.

And I'm aware Microsoft have .NET as their managed language and not using JVM for their product, and the interesting point from .NET are, they have any equivalent part from Java counterpart (and some have similar name i.e syntax, API name).

But I curious and don't understand why Microsoft prefer create new 'JVM' over contributed to JVM, as far I know there are OpenJDK which is open source.

Annatar 7 years ago |

Because thankfully, Sun Microsystems sued Microsoft and won. When everyone else was cowering in fear of Microsoft and abandoning UNIX®️ for Windows™️ NT™️, Sun Microsystems was the only company who had the gumption to openly oppose the onslaught.

When the United States department of justice sued Microsoft for monopolistic and anticompetitive practices, it could initially find no witnesses, as all the cowardly CEO's were scared to testify against Microsoft for fear of Microsoft revoking their OEM licenses to pre-install Windows on their products; everyone was really scared of angering Bill Gates.

Scott McNealy, bless his heart, was the only CEO with the balls to testify as a witness and it was a crucial, condemning testimony: the department of justice and NetScape Communications Corporation won the day, in large part because of Scott McNealy's bravery to go against Bill Gates and Microsoft.

al2o3cr 7 years ago |

Here's a good place to start reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Java_Virtual_Machine

wartakode 7 years ago | |

Thank you sir, just read the article, it's about legality, seem complicated problem I think.

But nice to know previously Microsoft has their own JVM, and it's like .NET are successor for their JVM.

stephen82 7 years ago |

You were saying...?

https://twitter.com/reza_rahman/status/1072980245303779330

wartakode 7 years ago | |

Wow,Microsoft have Product Manager for Java!

Nice to know Microsoft have a good attention to Java user.

As I'm maintain old Java app at my work, it's really matter when some big company have support to Java, at least Java have future I guess.