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J is for JAVA — Parallax Forums

J is for JAVA

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-06-08 00:46 in General Discussion
Hello group!

It seems that JAVA is popping up quite often in this group (namely,
with the J-Stamp and TINI devices). It seems now would be a good time
to learn it (it should leave enough time before the J-Stamp is
released...).

For years I've been intimidated by JAVA (and C for that matter)
because of its "crypticness". My brother (a EE/CS major) claims that
JAVA is quite easy to learn. However, he got the brains (I got the
looks), and I'm not sure I believe that statement 100%. Is JAVA
relatively easy to pick up? Specifically, what books or learning
aides could be recommended? Will Parallax come up with some JAVA
tutorials for their Stampinclass program?

Any direction or information would be greatly appreciated!
--Jeff Wallace
http://www.high-techgarage.com/

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-04 19:52
    Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not the API, which can be
    tough) , if you have some background in object oriented programming
    (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a substantial paradigm-shift.

    On Sun, 3 Jun 2001 bs2web@y... wrote:

    > Hello group!
    >
    > It seems that JAVA is popping up quite often in this group (namely,
    > with the J-Stamp and TINI devices). It seems now would be a good time
    > to learn it (it should leave enough time before the J-Stamp is
    > released...).
    >
    > For years I've been intimidated by JAVA (and C for that matter)
    > because of its "crypticness". My brother (a EE/CS major) claims that
    > JAVA is quite easy to learn. However, he got the brains (I got the
    > looks), and I'm not sure I believe that statement 100%. Is JAVA
    > relatively easy to pick up? Specifically, what books or learning
    > aides could be recommended? Will Parallax come up with some JAVA
    > tutorials for their Stampinclass program?
    >
    > Any direction or information would be greatly appreciated!
    > --Jeff Wallace
    > http://www.high-techgarage.com/
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >

    Sean T. Lamont, CTO / Chief NetNerd, Abstract Software, Inc. (ServNet)
    Seattle - Bellingham - Vancouver - Portland - Everett - Tacoma - Bremerton
    email: lamont@a... WWW: http://www.serv.net
    "...There's no moral, it's just a lot of stuff that happens". - H. Simpson
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-05 04:11
    What is the API and why is it so difficult to learn?

    > Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not the API, which
    > can be tough) , if you have some background in object oriented
    > programming (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a
    > substantial paradigm-shift.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-05 14:53
    The API are the "libraries" that do all the real work. C is similar. There
    are just a handful of statements (if, switch, for, etc.). The complexity is
    in the library.


    Sun is offering a free set of CDs (4 CDs I think) with Java and 6 online
    books, and more at
    http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/surveys/restricted/java_jumpstart.ht
    ml

    This is the "Java JumpStart" CD set.

    You have to sign up for developer connection, but that's free. It looks like
    a great deal for free.

    Regards,

    Al Williams
    AWC
    * Floating point math for any microcontroller:
    http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak1.htm



    >
    Original Message
    > From: bs2web@y... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=vk1fCDUM64EqRaOc6zb63D4vlQorSVEOYiNnVQ8i6sDML6XEATZsoemDADtCR0-ZfLUx7w66eg]bs2web@y...[/url
    > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:12 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    >
    >
    > What is the API and why is it so difficult to learn?
    >
    > > Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not the API, which
    > > can be tough) , if you have some background in object oriented
    > > programming (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a
    > > substantial paradigm-shift.
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in
    > the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-07 00:31
    In this context, if there is actually a java-native chip, it's unlikely to
    have to implement many of the API's, so the learning curve goes down
    dramatically.

    On Tue, 5 Jun 2001, Al Williams wrote:

    > The API are the "libraries" that do all the real work. C is similar. There
    > are just a handful of statements (if, switch, for, etc.). The complexity is
    > in the library.
    >
    >
    > Sun is offering a free set of CDs (4 CDs I think) with Java and 6 online
    > books, and more at
    > http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/surveys/restricted/java_jumpstart.ht
    > ml
    >
    > This is the "Java JumpStart" CD set.
    >
    > You have to sign up for developer connection, but that's free. It looks like
    > a great deal for free.
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    > Al Williams
    > AWC
    > * Floating point math for any microcontroller:
    > http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak1.htm
    >
    >
    >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: bs2web@y... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=ZRpbaFml1xwWg2ACEPXnKdyBVOSNebsqQRXltrLGpu5s3RbCGCUApWIlOyrRuKL2-NguDnUBkQ]bs2web@y...[/url
    > > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:12 PM
    > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    > >
    > >
    > > What is the API and why is it so difficult to learn?
    > >
    > > > Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not the API, which
    > > > can be tough) , if you have some background in object oriented
    > > > programming (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a
    > > > substantial paradigm-shift.
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in
    > > the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >

    Sean T. Lamont, CTO / Chief NetNerd, Abstract Software, Inc. (ServNet)
    Seattle - Bellingham - Vancouver - Portland - Everett - Tacoma - Bremerton
    email: lamont@a... WWW: http://www.serv.net
    "...There's no moral, it's just a lot of stuff that happens". - H. Simpson
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-07 18:20
    Hi,

    You can think of a Java system as being divided into three parts. There are
    the tools (the java compiler), the virtual machine, and the runtime
    environment (which includes the libraries or APIs).

    With a java-native chip the only part of the equation that changes is the
    virtual machine. The tools and the runtime environment stay the same, so you
    still have exactly the same libraries. From the programmer's perspective the
    learning curve is the same regardless of how the virtual machine is
    implemented. The availability of standard libraries is one of the largest
    benefits of Java because using library code allows programmers to get their
    work done faster and more reliably (the assumption being that libraries are
    well tested since they are used by many people).

    Regards,

    Chris.

    >
    Original Message
    > From: Sean T. Lamont .lost. [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=VQ63T_LCWHpDGDsWlAkxx16V89xuVX1J3HTijNJ5qK0tCJ6WcwcXyItHRQWxjsbst4cblLXqvhAVtviR-Q]lamont@a...[/url
    > Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 4:32 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    >
    >
    >
    > In this context, if there is actually a java-native chip,
    > it's unlikely to
    > have to implement many of the API's, so the learning curve goes down
    > dramatically.
    >
    > On Tue, 5 Jun 2001, Al Williams wrote:
    >
    > > The API are the "libraries" that do all the real work. C is
    > similar. There
    > > are just a handful of statements (if, switch, for, etc.).
    > The complexity is
    > > in the library.
    > >
    > >
    > > Sun is offering a free set of CDs (4 CDs I think) with Java
    > and 6 online
    > > books, and more at
    > >
    > http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/surveys/restricted/jav
    > a_jumpstart.ht
    > > ml
    > >
    > > This is the "Java JumpStart" CD set.
    > >
    > > You have to sign up for developer connection, but that's
    > free. It looks like
    > > a great deal for free.
    > >
    > > Regards,
    > >
    > > Al Williams
    > > AWC
    > > * Floating point math for any microcontroller:
    > > http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak1.htm
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: bs2web@y... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=urgBEy-F7MMQ52ZHBXA_2YDwndRiDUsQn07FgYgMs0lsXHec4K1boJmJg8cLR1KTccjeI8AY]bs2web@y...[/url
    > > > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:12 PM
    > > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > What is the API and why is it so difficult to learn?
    > > >
    > > > > Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not
    > the API, which
    > > > > can be tough) , if you have some background in object oriented
    > > > > programming (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a
    > > > > substantial paradigm-shift.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in
    > > > the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text
    > in the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    > Sean T. Lamont, CTO / Chief NetNerd, Abstract Software, Inc.
    > (ServNet)
    > Seattle - Bellingham - Vancouver - Portland - Everett -
    > Tacoma - Bremerton
    > email: lamont@a... WWW: http://www.serv.net
    > "...There's no moral, it's just a lot of stuff that happens".
    > - H. Simpson
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text
    > in the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-07 19:55
    I don't know about particular implementations, but I would argue that it's
    both impossible and unnecessary to implement the API's on a
    microcontroller.

    On Thu, 7 Jun 2001, Chris Waters wrote:

    > Hi,
    >
    > You can think of a Java system as being divided into three parts. There are
    > the tools (the java compiler), the virtual machine, and the runtime
    > environment (which includes the libraries or APIs).
    >
    > With a java-native chip the only part of the equation that changes is the
    > virtual machine. The tools and the runtime environment stay the same, so you
    > still have exactly the same libraries. From the programmer's perspective the
    > learning curve is the same regardless of how the virtual machine is
    > implemented. The availability of standard libraries is one of the largest
    > benefits of Java because using library code allows programmers to get their
    > work done faster and more reliably (the assumption being that libraries are
    > well tested since they are used by many people).
    >
    > Regards,
    >
    > Chris.
    >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: Sean T. Lamont .lost. [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=xV55TanxUUtd-lp6lJ3sFcrq49tfcy6UMUSOI3dDHSrJxy9tGBO2nwoGcJwuW-vp-mDtP5r3KAMYjv6YcMI]lamont@a...[/url
    > > Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 4:32 PM
    > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > In this context, if there is actually a java-native chip,
    > > it's unlikely to
    > > have to implement many of the API's, so the learning curve goes down
    > > dramatically.
    > >
    > > On Tue, 5 Jun 2001, Al Williams wrote:
    > >
    > > > The API are the "libraries" that do all the real work. C is
    > > similar. There
    > > > are just a handful of statements (if, switch, for, etc.).
    > > The complexity is
    > > > in the library.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Sun is offering a free set of CDs (4 CDs I think) with Java
    > > and 6 online
    > > > books, and more at
    > > >
    > > http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/surveys/restricted/jav
    > > a_jumpstart.ht
    > > > ml
    > > >
    > > > This is the "Java JumpStart" CD set.
    > > >
    > > > You have to sign up for developer connection, but that's
    > > free. It looks like
    > > > a great deal for free.
    > > >
    > > > Regards,
    > > >
    > > > Al Williams
    > > > AWC
    > > > * Floating point math for any microcontroller:
    > > > http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak1.htm
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > >
    Original Message
    > > > > From: bs2web@y... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=YeZurlGHsJPwrtucqUZo-qTnHvBChYMKKDG7dpk7QH9qgCQUAsV9oeJy4yMwe6taKxK10x-r]bs2web@y...[/url
    > > > > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:12 PM
    > > > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: J is for JAVA
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > What is the API and why is it so difficult to learn?
    > > > >
    > > > > > Java is an easy language to learn (the language, not
    > > the API, which
    > > > > > can be tough) , if you have some background in object oriented
    > > > > > programming (C++,smalltalk, etc.). Otherwise, it can be a
    > > > > > substantial paradigm-shift.
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in
    > > > > the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text
    > > in the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > > Sean T. Lamont, CTO / Chief NetNerd, Abstract Software, Inc.
    > > (ServNet)
    > > Seattle - Bellingham - Vancouver - Portland - Everett -
    > > Tacoma - Bremerton
    > > email: lamont@a... WWW: http://www.serv.net
    > > "...There's no moral, it's just a lot of stuff that happens".
    > > - H. Simpson
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text
    > > in the Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed with. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >

    Sean T. Lamont, CTO / Chief NetNerd, Abstract Software, Inc. (ServNet)
    Seattle - Bellingham - Vancouver - Portland - Everett - Tacoma - Bremerton
    email: lamont@a... WWW: http://www.serv.net
    "...There's no moral, it's just a lot of stuff that happens". - H. Simpson
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-06-08 00:46
    Although I am new to JAVA, it appears that the TINI device does have
    its own set of APIs. (Will the J-STAMP have it's own set API and/or
    object oriented?) Personally, I find Object Oriented programming with
    JAVA to be quite interesting. Many of the I/O functions for TINI
    (LCD, I2C and others) are predefined (similar to the LCD and I2C
    commands with the BS2P). You simply have to give the method the
    correct data and address and away you go.

    --Jeff Wallace
    --http://www.high-techgarage.com

    > I don't know about particular implementations, but I would argue
    > that it's both impossible and unnecessary to implement the API's on
    > a microcontroller.
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