BKBYNDJV.RVW   20051115

"Beyond Java", Bruce A. Tate, 2005, 0-596-10094-9, U$24.95/C$34.95
%A   Bruce A. Tate
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   2005
%G   0-596-10094-9
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$24.95/C$34.95 800-998-9938 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596100949/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596100949/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596100949/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience a- Tech 2 Writing 2 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   185 p.
%T   "Beyond Java"

Java is very popular.  So popular, that maybe those who really love
it, and think that Java is the most productive language (and the
greatest thing since sliced bread) are in danger of being left behind
when and if something better comes along.  This is what Tate is
concerned about, and, in chapter one, he warns his friends and
colleagues in the Java community to pay attention.

Chapter two examines the conditions that led to the demise of C++ and
the rise of Java.  The author points out that while Java may never
face the opposition that C++ did, the preferences that led programmers
to search for an alternative are still there.  The advantages and
strengths of Java are enumerated in chapter three.  Chapter four
outlines basic and fundamental weaknesses in Java.  The
characteristics and requirements of a language that may take over the
dominant position from Java are discussed in chapter five, and there
is a quick run-through of various contenders for the top spot.  As an
example, chapter six examines aspects of the Ruby langauge that might
make it the next big thing.  Chapter seven looks at some attributes
and productivity metrics for Ruby on Rails.  Continuation servers are
addressed in chapter eight.  The discussion is odd, in relation to the
overall theme of whether Java is going to be replaced: the examples
are given in other languages but it isn't clear why they couldn't be
done in Java.  Chapter nine reviews the contender languages, once
again, but with more subjective analysis.

For those concerned with the history and development of languages
there is some interesting perspective in this book.  For those
involved in software development, and curious about the possibilities
of greater productivity or future tools, the text does not give
definitive guidance, but thoughtful appraisal of the alternatives.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2005   BKBYNDJV.RVW   20051115