[nfbcs] Why Java? was: Software Developer position open

[John J. Boyer]

Hi Aaron, 

Java was chosen primarily because of SWT (Standard Window Toolkit). This 
is a library for graphical intgerfaces that uses the native facilities 
of the operating system and so is well adapted to cross-platform 
applications like BrailleBlaster, which is intended to run on Linux, Mac 
and Windows. As a bonus, because it uses the native operating system 
features, it is easily accessible and does not require the Java Access 
Bridge.

C is used for the underlying transcription engine, liblouis and 
liblouisutdml. Java is more suited to graphical interfaces.

John

On Mon, Oct 01, 2012 at 06:45:11PM -0500, Aaron Cannon wrote:
> Hi John.
> 
> I actually am curious why Java was chosen as the language for the
> Braille Blaster project.  Is there any particular reason it was chosen
> over some other cross-platform language such as Python or even C?  Was
> it as simple as being the language you knew, or was there more to it
> than that?
> 
> Not criticizing the choice.  Just curious.  I think the language it's
> written in is much less important than the fact that it simply exists,
> and I'm thrilled to hear that the APH is sponsoring its development.
> 
> Aaron
> 
> 
> On 10/1/12, John J. Boyer <john.boyer at abilitiessoft.com> wrote:
> > That is one person's opinion. There are lots of organizations using
> > Java, including the Daisy Consortiumj, Bookshare and Apache.
> >
> > If you wish to pursue this topic further, please change the subjectg
> > line.
> >
> > John
> >
> > On Mon, Oct 01, 2012 at 02:17:08PM -0700, Ronald Smith wrote:
> >> Steve,
> >>
> >> I think Leo LaPort stated that Java is dead!
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
> >> To: "NFB in Computer Science Mailing List" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 1:50 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Software Developer position open
> >>
> >>
> >> >John,
> >> >
> >> >I am going to forward this to our "jobs" list as well.
> >> >
> >> >Best regards,
> >> >
> >> >Steve Jacobson
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >On Mon, 1 Oct 2012 15:38:02 -0500, John J. Boyer wrote:
> >> >
> >> >>O
> >> >>A software developer with extensive Java experience is needed to work
> >> >>on
> >> >>the BrailleBlaster project. This work will be done under contract with
> >> >>the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), which is collaborating
> >> >>on the project. Knowledge of Braille is desirable but not required,
> >> >>since it can be learned. BrailleBlaster is an open source project which
> >> >>aims to dramatically increase the availability of Braille and tactile
> >> >>graphics. It covers both literary and technical material. It is freely
> >> >>downloadable. Please send questions and resumes to
> >> >>john.boyer at abilitiessoft.com
> >> >
> >> >>--
> >> >>John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer
> >> >>Abilitiessoft, Inc.
> >> >>http://www.abilitiessoft.com
> >> >>Madison, Wisconsin USA
> >> >>Developing software for people with disabilities
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >>_______________________________________________
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> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
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> >
> > --
> > John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer
> > Abilitiessoft, Inc.
> > http://www.abilitiessoft.com
> > Madison, Wisconsin USA
> > Developing software for people with disabilities
> >
> >
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> 
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-- 
John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer
Abilitiessoft, Inc.
http://www.abilitiessoft.com
Madison, Wisconsin USA
Developing software for people with disabilities