This is a great example (if I do say so myself) that demonstrates some really cool capabilities of Jersey combined with Yahoo User Interface versions 2 and 3 combined with jQuery to demonstrate interoperability of multiple technologies.
The YUI2, YUI3, and jQuery libraries are provided by Yahoo and Google CDN. This is a further example of a truly RESTful application where the application is provided as a mashup of multiple web resources.
Yahoo User Interface (YUI) is an incredibly well developed UI framework for the web. The DataSource implementation is easy to use and is extremely adaptable. It is also very stable, and Yahoo eats its own dogfood like Google so it is battle tested. YUI3 is the next generation code, and the DataTable implementation includes a number of new features.
jQuery is an extremely popular Javascript framework with great AJAX functionality. I have included two examples (YUI2/YUI3) in which jQuery provides JSON data to the Yahoo DataSource.
Jersey provides the heavy lifting. In all of the examples I provide the data in a variety of formats, but I focus on providing both JSON and JSONP. JSONP allows us to use have cross-domain capabilities. The code also demonstrates how to use Jettison to encapsulate POJOs. The best part is that the data can be tested not only using your browser, but can also be tested using curl. This provides a very simple visual means of verifying data.
So what does it look like... look at the images below. The results speak for themselves.
YUI2 DataTable using JSP
YUI3 DataTable with JSONP and JAX-RS (Jersey)
Now for the most important part, how do you get here.
Technical Details
The CustomerFacadeREST class is the most interesting. The JSP and HTML pages have the details of how to use the various YUI DataSources along with jQuery. I will not print the pages out, and suggest that you simply download the code and examine it.
JSON-JAXB marshalling and un-marshalling by default uses a MAPPED configuration by default. However this can be changed by creating a @Provider which can change the default JSONConfiguration.
The example below changes the configuration to use BadgerFish which provides a better representation of an XML document. This representation does not provide the visual clarity that JSON generally provides, and is not generally human readable beyond basic notation. However, as noted that is not the point.
JSONJAXBContextResolver.java
This class specifically handles the Customer object, and maps it to use BadgerFish.
Output:
One of the more interesting features in JAX-RS (Jersey) is the ability to automatically "wrap" POJOs. This combined with automatic wrapping of JAXB annotated beans, and using Jackson to create JSON objects is a powerful mix. However, sometimes we want to wrap an object, and add some additional metadata.
This tip is a very simple tip which allows you to create Jettison JSONObject, and JSONArray objects to create new objects, "wrap" existing objects, or add additional metadata. I mention "wrap" the objects, please don't confuse this with JSONP.
To enable automatic POJO mapping, and Jettison objects add the following to the web.xml
This simple configuration will give you considerable flexibility in how you handle your objects. This will now allow you to produce JSONObjects like the code example below:
I received an email today from a developer who was looking for examples of how to do multiple file uploads. I had written a post previously Multiple File Upload Options which detailed some of the options available. The option I recommended was Andrew Valums ajax-upload.
The developer had indicated that the servlet I contributed was not working with Internet Explorer correctly. He was correct.
The code that I provided to Andrew Vallums was expecting application/octet-stream. However Internet Explorer and Opera were sending multipart/form-data. This would not work with the servlet example I posted since the handling mechanism is considerably different.
Alan O'Driscoll and I discovered the differences using Wireshark to sniff the packets and see what was being sent over the wire. As a result, I have written a new servlet to handle the differences between browsers.
The example application I wrote has a number of different examples included with minor variations on the theme. The version most folks are interested in is example #6 which uses the ajax-upload, and the new servlet. Here is the Apache Maven project which was developed on NetBeans and tested on GlassFish v 2.1.1.
I created a video which demonstrates how to add RichFaces 4.1.0 Final as a component library in NetBeans 7.1. The video details how to add the required jars to create the library, demonstrates code completion, and finally deployment to GlassFish 3.1.1 for display.
In the video I take advantage of using my local Apache Maven repository which includes all of the dependencies required.
The list below includes references to the required libraries and versions. There is a link to the video as well.
When developing a JAX-RS project using NetBeans, I have a couple of simple recommendations. This will hopefully save you some time up front.
First create a Java → Java Class Library project. This project will be used to contain classes we expect to share between the service and the client.
Create a second project Java Web → Web Application. This project will serve as our REST service application.
Add the first project to the second project.
(Optional) Create a Java → Java Application This final project will be used for as our client application.
(Optional) Add the first project to the client project.
The most important part of the recommendation is to make sure that you have a separate library project. The shared code can later be used in multiple projects without refactoring later.
Here is an example project that meets the recommendations above. It was created with NetBeans 7.1 RC2.
A common requirement is to generate List<T> for a REST service. The JAX-RS client must retrieve this, but the question is how to use it. The easiest method to use a GenericType<T>.
As an example, we have a service which returns a List<Widget>;. The client application will need to wrap the returned List<Widget>. We accomplish this as shown below using GenericType<List<Widget>>(){}.
The GenericType<List<Widget>>(){} allows us to wrap the List<Widget>, and return the <code>Collection</code> object we are really interested in. So remember, if you need to wrap a <code>Collection</code> use GenericType<T>.
A few years ago I posted an article on how to execute OS level system calls using the Runtime class. When I wrote that article I was using a methodology which has been around since the 1.0 days of Java. In Java 5 Standard Edition, and subsequently improved in Java 6 and Java 7, is a class called ProcessBuilder. This class is a significant improvement over using the Runtime class. It provides complete flexibilty around the system call in terms of environment including directories, input and output streams, and execution.
I am in the process of migrating all of my existing code projects to Mercurial from Subversion. However, the process has some snags associated with it. The biggest snag is that Mercurial does not understand the branching and merging process which is common in most Subversion repositories. If you convert a repository from Subversion to Mercurial the timeline indicates the branch, but does not associate it with the parent (default head). This results in "floating" heads (branches). One blogger I found called it a multi-headed Hydra.
Floating Heads (Branches)
What we really want is to show consistency, and progression. We want to show the branches and merges that are stored Subversion in Mercurial. We don't want to lose that vital historical information.
So we now know what the problem is, but how do we fix it. It turns out that the convert extension method has a very poorly (read not useful at all) documented switch called splicemap. This allows us to map specific revisions in parent-child relationships.
In the Rock Hymas blog, they give an example of the format for our splicemap for Subversion. It looks like the following:
svn:<uuid>/path/to/module@revnum
However, he ends short of what to do with this information, or how to obtain it. The article is good on explanation of the issue, but not on how to solve it. I will detail a solution and show you how I did it. I will also show how to use a splicemap "so that others may live"... oh wait that is the US Air Force Pararescue motto. I will show a working example to make a point.
Process
The first thing we will need is the UUID from Subversion. This can be obtained using the svnlook command.
The UUID is absolutely vital. It will be different for every repository.
Next, we need a log of the activity for the project we are interested in mapping. We will use the svn log -v command to get the details. The results will look something like this. I have shortened my output to just a couple of relevant versions which we will need.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
r417 | jyeary | 2011-12-11 06:28:21 -0500 (Sun, 11 Dec 2011) | 1 line
Changed paths:
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/build.xml
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/nbproject/build-impl.xml
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/nbproject/genfiles.properties
A /MailService/trunk/MailService/nbproject/jaxws-build.xml
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/nbproject/project.properties
Merged 3.0 tag to trunk, and updated NetBeans project files.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
r137 | jyeary | 2008-09-05 19:15:25 -0400 (Fri, 05 Sep 2008) | 1 line
Changed paths:
M /MailService/branches/3.0-DEV/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/MailServiceBean.java
Updated properties.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
r128 | jyeary | 2008-09-02 17:51:49 -0400 (Tue, 02 Sep 2008) | 1 line
Changed paths:
M /MailService/trunk/MailService
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/nbproject/project.properties
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/conf/sun-ejb-jar.xml
D /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/MailService.java
M /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/MailServiceBean.java
D /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/MailServiceRemote.java
A /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/local (from /MailService/branches/2.0-DEV/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/local:124)
R /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/local/MailServiceLocal.java (from /MailService/branches/2.0-DEV/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/local/MailServiceLocal.java:124)
A /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/remote (from /MailService/branches/2.0-DEV/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/remote:124)
R /MailService/trunk/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/remote/MailServiceRemote.java (from /MailService/branches/2.0-DEV/MailService/src/java/com/bluelotussoftware/mail/ee/ssb/remote/MailServiceRemote.java:124)
merged 2.0 changes into trunk.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next we determine how to splice it together. We want to ensure that the parents, and children match up. The file format is: child parent with a space between the child and parent. We may also provide an additional parent which is separated by a comma such as child parent1,parent2
So the first splice in the splicemap for the 2.0-DEV branch looks like this:
Note: I am splicing the branch to the trunk (parent).
Using the hg convert --datesort --splicemap splicemap1 http://10.0.1.2/svn/MailService resulted in the following output:
assuming destination MailService-hg
initializing destination MailService-hg repository
svn: cannot probe remote repository, assume it could be a subversion repository. Use --source-type if you know better.
scanning source...
sorting...
converting...
21 creating structure
20 Moving project out of MailServiceApplication
19 Fixed javadoc
18 [Netbeans SVN client generated message: create a new folder for the copy]: '
spliced in ['svn:dbc3d074-2bd0-48a6-aa6f-e69526dc1c92/MailService/trunk@57'] as parents of svn:dbc3d074-2bd0-48a6-aa6f-e69526dc1c92/MailService/branches/2.0-DEV@95
17 2.0 development branch
16 1. Updated version numbers.
15 Added new sendMessage() method that allows for different MIME types.
14 1.Added new MimeMessage format to @Remote
13 1.Added new MimeMessage format to @Local
12 1. Added new MimeMessage format
11 Updated project properties
10 1. Created a new local package
9 1. Updated Javadocs
8 Updated project properties
7 merged 2.0 changes into trunk.
6 Adding new development branch
5 Adding trunk to 3.0 Development branch
4 Removed @Local interface implementation from bean.
3 Removed @Local interface.
2 Removed directory.
1 Updated properties.
0 Merged 3.0 tag to trunk, and updated NetBeans project files.
updating tags
More importantly, the result is what we are looking for. See the image below.
Branch
Alright, that solved the branching problem, but the more difficult issue is the merge. I was banging my head on my desk when I came across this Nabble post by Bruce Frederiksen which gave me the clue I needed to merge the branch back to the default head.
We need to tell Mercurial what the parent branches are for the merge from the perspective of the repository. In this case we want the revision at 57 as one parent from the branch above, and the other to be the revision we merge at on the default head. In this case revision 123. We also need to reverse the order (remember what I said about perspective... thanks Bruce). Our new splice looks like:
Note: The splices are wrapped to fit on the page, the actual file requires each complete splice to be on a new line.
This results in the final completed completed product.
Completed
Conclusion
I hope that this explains how to effectively use a splicemap to branch and merge your Subversion repository into Mercurial. I hope that this saves some other unfortunate developers from trying to figure out a really cool, but poorly documented feature of the convert extension.
A friend of mine, Wade Chandler, contacted me the other day to ask about implementing security (SSL) for Mercurial on GlassFish. Wade is NetBeans Dream Team member, and all-around great guy. I told him I would figure it out, and tell him how to do it. I also decided that I would explain to everyone how to take advantage of this cool functionality using GlassFish 3.1.1 and NetBeans 7.1 RC 2.
One of the great aspects of using GlassFish to provide SSL is that we don't require messy configuration in Python and Mercurial to implement SSL. GlassFish handles the security for us. The only thing that the end client users will want to do is add the server fingerprint to the .hgrc file in their home directory. This will remove any warnings about a missing server fingerprint, or cacerts file.
If you have used Mercurial on Apache HTTPD Server, along with cacerts, and client certificates... this will make you make the switch immediately.
You can create your own web project in NetBeans, but the Mercurial.zip is a self-contained Mercurial repository, and NetBeans project which can serve as the basis for your own server with very little modification. I would simply use my project as the basis for your own deployment.
Note: The requirements include repos.zip which is optional. The repos.zip contains sample mercurial repos which are required for the demo.
Procedures
Configure GlassFish
Start the GlassFish administration console.
Go to Configuration → server-config → Security → Realms → file. Note: You may create your own realm, this is just for demonstration purposes.
Click on Manage Users.
GlassFish Security Configuration
Click on New. Add a user called mercurial in a group called Mercurial Users with the password hg. Note: Please change the username, group, and password for production.
The server configuration is complete.
NetBeans
Using NetBeans open the Mercurial project from the requirements link above.
There are four files in the project (simple huh?) which control the behavior of the Mercurial repository on GlassFish: hgweb.cgi, hgweb.config, web.xml, and glassfish-web.xml.
The hgweb.cgi should not need to be modified under normal circumstances.
Open the hgweb.config file. Make any changes that you would like to customize the application. Pay particular attention to the location of the repositories. There are two examples: (1) using the "/" along with a * on the end of the file path will list all repositories in the specified directory, and (2) a specific listing.
Note: Please note that allow_push = * and push_ssl = false are set. This will allow push to the server and let GlassFish take care of the SSL.
The web.xml file has been modified to add security constraints for the alpha, and beta example repositories. The alpha repository has security only on PUT, POST, and DELETE. The beta repository will not allow you to perform any actions without logging into the server. The gamma repository has no security constraints.
Note: You will need to modify the security constraints to meet your requirements.
Note: You secure the entire repository by adding: <url-pattern>/cgi-bin/hgweb.cgi/*</url-pattern>.
The glassfish-web.xml is used to map the security role(s) to the file realm on the GlassFish server.
Clean, build, and Run the application.
When the application successfully deploys, go to the secure connection on https://localhost:8181/Mercurial. It may prompt you to accept the server certificate. Accept it.
You should see something like the image below:
Mercurial Repositories
Click on the beta repository. It should prompt you to login.
Congratulations you are running Mercurial on GlassFish securely.
Note: To secure the application completely, you should disable the non-secure http port listener on port 8080, or redirect requests to the secure port.
Verification
It would be unwise to accept that the application is secure without verification.
I made this demonstration video to prove the connection is secure. The demonstration shows both insecure and secure connections to the repository. I use Wireshark to sniff the connection, and pull the repository from the command line using hg clone.
Conclusion
Mercurial is a great distributed source control system. Its ease of use is further enhanced by using GlassFish 3.1.1 to provide the front end to your repository. It also simplifies the deployment, and use models.
There are a couple of well-known issues with using Map<K,V> with JAXB. First, JAXB does not like interfaces. Second, it considers a Map<K,V> to be a bean so it does not handle the internal implementation. The JAXB JIRA Issue is here JAXB-223
There are a number of articles published about how to adapt a Map<K,V> to work in JAXB. However, all of them I have seen are very specific mappings like Map<String,String>, or Map<Integer,String>, etc. None of them address the more specific generic case Map<K,V>. This example handles the more general case using generics. All the other examples I looked at online generally follow the example code from the XmlAdapter javadoc. The code snippet does not encapsulate the values, and generally does not adhere to good coding practices.
The process is to create an adapter is as follows:
Create an mapping entry for Map<K,V>. In our case, we will create one called: MapEntryType<K, V> which will map our generic types.
Next we create a value holder for our Map<K,V> which contains a List<MapEntryType<K, V>> of our entries. The value holder looks like MapType<K, V>
Finally, we create an adapter which extends XmlAdapter. In our case, it is very long since I am using Java 6. In Java 7, we can use the diamond <> operator to shorten it. The adapter is XmlGenericMapAdapter<K, V> extends XmlAdapter<MapType<K, V>, Map<K, V>>.
Note: Please note that the MapEntryType<K, V> has the @XmlAccessorType(XmlAccessType.PROPERTY) set to property and the getters are annotated as @XmlElement.
We take advantage of JAXB to provide automatic XML Schema definitions for our keys and values. The only problem with this approach is that it is very "chatty". It provides a schema definition for each key and value.
If you know that you are going to be using simple types, it is more appropriate to use a specific type rather than using generics. We would replace all of the <K, V> with <String, String>. This will remove all of the schema definitions and produce an output which is much cleaner. The String adapters are included in the source code for further review.
I was working on some code in the last few days where I came across a protected Map map instance variable. I examined the code and javadocs which indicated that the intent was to provide a mapping of keys and values. However the actual implementation was setting the keys and values to the same value. This again is not really an issue. However, the usage of the Map was incorrect.
See if you can determine the issue from the code below.
The MapValueHolder<K,V> looks like the following.
Here is the implementation.
As a general rule, you should use the key to fetch the value. Even if you expect that the values are the same. Since the instance variable is protected it can be modified in a sub-class, or any class in the same package. Since we code to interfaces, or abstractions (super classes). We can not be sure that the implementation class we are provided does what we expect. In this case, it does what we expect.
MapValueHolder Key --> A
MapValueHolder Key --> B
MapValueHolder Key --> C
A --> A
B --> B
C --> C
Here we continue using another implementation.
This time the result looks different.
MapValueHolder Key --> A
MapValueHolder Key --> B
MapValueHolder Key --> C
A --> null
B --> null
C --> null
This is because our MapValueHolder<K,V> is different.
Admittedly, the implementation above is a bit contrived. We really are getting is a Set<K>. In the next example, we get another result.
The result is considerably different.
MapValueHolder Key --> A
A --> A
Here is the implementation.
Again, this is a contrived result where we are just returning the first key and value in a Map<K,V>.
Here is another example which demonstrates unexpected results.
This results in this very strange result.
Map --> {}
Here I use reflection to modify the expected result.
If you have followed me to this point, you will have learned a little bit about the Java Type system, reflection, abstraction, and Collections. Yet, you may be asking what is the tip?
Here are some rules:
Use the keys to fetch values.
Check for null values. In my examples, I did not check for null values.
Use the correct Java Collection.
The Java Collection Framework covers most common cases. Take the time to read about them. The code above was based on a couple of issues I discovered: (1) Using keys for values, and (2) not using the correct collection. In this case, they should have used a List<V>. If they wanted to use an ordered Map<K,V>, they should have used a LinkedHashmap<K,V>.
I thought that I would provide a simpler example than the RESTful Web Services book. In this example I am using Jersey (JAX-RS Reference Implementation) client to do the same thing as Apache HTTP Client.
I have been working on designing a replacement architecture for an enterprise application at work. As a result, I have been doing a lot of work with REST. The seminal work on REST is RESTful Web Services by Leonard Richardson and Sam Ruby from O'Reilly & Associates. The book is a couple of years old, but relevant today. There is only one issue with the book. There are a number of examples that do not work as expected in the current framework editions.
The example code below demonstrates how to perform a RESTful call to del.ic.io.us to retrieve saved bookmarks. This is based on the application listed on page 35 of the book.
This is the second video in the series on how to simplify your coding with NetBeans. In this video I demonstrate how to import code from the Apache Commons CLI project into NetBeans. The source code IS NOT in a native format that NetBeans understands like Apache Maven. The files are imported into a NetBeans project with existing sources.
As with most code that you download, there are some dependencies which are unsatisfied. I demonstrate how to download the dependencies, and put the jar files into the project. Finally, I successfully build it.
I created a simple demonstration of how to use NetBeans to open an Apache Commons CLI project directly from the Internet and build it along with the Javadocs.
This is the first of two video examples demonstrating the power of NetBeans to be more productive immediately.
Michal Hlaváč's SerialVersionUID Generator For NetBeans has been updated for use in NetBeans 7.0.1. If you have a need to generate SerialVersionUIDs for your Serializable classes. This is the plugin for you. You can download it from here.
switch in Java was always considered not particularly useful prior to Java 5. In Java 5, enum was added to the language. This made it more useful to use switch statements, but was still incomplete. A feature request that has been long in waiting is the ability to use a String in a switch.
Finally, in Java 7 SE we get the ability to use a String in a switch statement. This feature, I believe, will make the use of switch more prevalent in code which is post JDK 6.
The example below was developed using NetBeans 7.1 Beta on Oracle Solaris Express 11. The NetBeans Java project is located here: StringSwitch.zip.
This code was presented at the Greenville Java Users Group. The Unicode has a hidden message which is displayed when run.
In the first version, I think that the people missed the interesting stuff. So here is a modified version, of the code.
Remember, the real question is what to expect. It will compile, and run. The two examples are more interesting.
NOTE: This is not an example of how to do something right. This is absolutely the wrong way to handle exception handling in Java.
When Oracle contacted me about doing a survey for them to use at JavaOne 2011 I had no idea what they had planned. As a result I sent back my survey with a bunch of fun loving answers. Some of them serious, but most were simply funny answers. I guess a couple of the other JUG Leaders had the same idea.
The result was a video which was a video called "The Java Life" which aired at the opening JavaOne and JavaOne Community keynote addresses. I have attached the video for your enjoyment. The lyrics are below it, and finally you can see my survey responses.
Who said Oracle doesn't listen?
Future Perfect / l.inc design
9.1.11
SPOKEN:
In the cubicles representin’ for my JAVA homies…
In by nine, out when the deadlines are met, check it.
CHORUS:
We code hard in these cubicles
My style’s nerd-chic, I’m a programmin’ freak
We code hard in these cubicles
Only two hours to your deadline? Don’t sweat my technique.
Sippin’ morning coffee with that JAVA swirl.
Born to code; my first words were “Hello World”
Since 95, been JAVA codin’ stayin’ proud
Started on floppy disks, now we take it to the cloud.
On my desktop, JAVA’s what’s bobbin’ and weavin’
We got another winning app before I get to OddEven.
Blazin’ code like a forest fire, climbin’ a tree
Setting standards like I Triple E….
Boot it on up, I use the force like Luke,
Got so much love for my homeboy Duke.
GNU Public Licensed, it’s open source,
Stop by my desk when you need a crash course
Written once and my script runs anywhere,
Straight thuggin’, mean muggin’ in my Aeron chair.
All the best lines of code, you know I wrote ‘em
I’ll run you out of town on your dial-up modem.
CHORUS:
‘Cause…
We code hard in these cubicles
Me and my crew code hyphy hardcore
We code hard in these cubicles
It’s been more than 10 years since I’ve seen the 404.
Inheriting a project can make me go beeee-serk
Ain’t got four hours to transfer their Framework.
The cleaners killed the lights, Man, that ain’t nice,
Gonna knock this program out, just like Kimbo Slice
I program all night, just like a champ,
Look alive under this IKEA lamp.
I code HARDER in the midnight hour,
E7 on the vending machine fuels my power.
Ps3 to Smartphones, our code use never ends,
JAVA’s there when I beat you in “Words with Friends”.
My developing skills are so fresh please discuss,
You better step your game up on that C++.
We know better than to use Dot N-E-T,
Even Dan Brown can’t code as hard as me.
You know JAVA’s gettin’ bigger, that’s a promise not a threat,
Let me code it on your brain
WHISPERED:
so you’ll never forget.
CHORUS:
We code hard in these cubicles,
it’s the core component…of what we implement.
We code hard in these cubicles,
Straight to your JAVA Runtime Environment.
We code hard in these cubicles,
Keep the syntax light and the algorithm tight.
We code hard in these cubicles,
Gotta use JAVA if it’s gonna run right.
We code hard in these cubicles
JAVA keeps adapting, you know it’s built to last.
We code hard in these cubicles,
Robust and secure, so our swag’s on blast
CODE HARD
Here is my original survey...
Here are some answers for you to your questions. It was fun. I hope you enjoy the answers.
What is your favorite Java enabled device?
A: SunSpot
Have you ever used Java in an unconventional way?
A: Named my cat 'Java', tried to teach my 5 year old to program with it,
and poured it in a beer to make sure I did not waste it.
Have you ever heard of Java being used in an unconventional way?
A: Yes, ask Adam Bien about his thermostat.
What would you say is the best use for Java?
A: Besides drinking
it, it is also really good for removing rust, and creating great MVC
Model 2 design n-tier enterprise applications.
What project that you've worked on are you most proud of?
A: A good question. I think that the Java boot camp project on Java.net
is a great project. I like to teach others to program. Oh, and my boss
says everything that I am currently working on!
Is there something universally frustrating about being a programmer?
A: Yes, computers won't bend to my mind control. Most programmers know
what they want their applications to do. The implementation is the
difficult part. I am only partly kidding about the mind control!
If Java had an enemy, what/whom do you think it would be?
A: Actually my cat Java has a nemesis called 'chipper' the chipmunk who
taunts him from outside the bay windows. Duke the champion of all that
is good fears only TEN. TEN. TEN. (.NET backwards).
What is the worst thing to hear about a project as a Java programmer?
A: ... and can you have that done by 5:00 PM?
Describe your Ideal Day
A:
I wake up and go sailing. The wind is perfect and I beat Larry in a
race with a Sunfish. He is so impressed, he donates his BMW-Oracle race
boat to my Alma Mater Maine Maritime Academy, and asks for remedial
sailing lessons. Oh, and I get all of my coding projects done... before 5
PM. ;-)
What is your favorite snack?
A: Beer
What is your favorite beverage?
A: Guinness... or as noted above with Java.
Do you have any hobbies?
A:
Dreaming! Java programming, Sailing, Hiking, Kayaking, Rafting,
Canoeing, Camping, Biking, Yoga, Paper Airplanes, Model Airplanes,
Linux, Shooting, Fire Fighting, and just about anything that could get
you killed in a horrific fantastic epic manner.
What are your favorite video games?
A: Fallout 3, and Fallout New Vegas.
What/Which gaming system(s) do you use?
A: PS3 and Nintendo Wii
Do you hang out with other Java programmers?
A: Yes, they are great people. Common interests, and common bonds make great friends.
What do you do together when you hang out?
A: DRINK BEER! We have
intellectually stimulating conversations about which algorithms are
best suited to solve complex coding challenges. Who am I kidding, WE
DRINK BEER and discuss everything from the cute waitress to particle
physics (yes very geeky).
Tell me a funny story that happened while on the job?
A: Don't
drink and team code. Let's just say it can be...interesting. We were
working over a weekend on a project and came across a corner case on the
project. The software was for use by field service engineers working
remotely. The case was to submit a service ticket it had to have a)
time, b)parts, c) both, and d) (CORNER CASE) an attempt to submit a
ticket with nothing. I commented that only a "moron" would do that. My
partner agreed, and I thought it would be funny to place a pop-up in the
code called a "Moron Alert". We ran it, drank more, ran it some more,
and laughed at my cleverness... one problem. Yup, you guessed it.
Anyway, the application gets deployed and has been running for 3 years
until someone (a moron) gets the alert. His manager calls me crying from
laughing so hard. He had asked the engineer what he did to get "MORON
ALERT...MORON ALERT...MORON ALERT. What are you a moron for trying to
submit a ticket without parts, or time. Are you a moron (Yes/No). Only
the yes button works. Funny!
What websites or blogs do you visit most often?
A: My own (http://javaevangelist.blogspot.com).
I can't seem to remember my own solutions to problems until I Google
it, and discover I covered it in my own blog. Arun Gupta (http://blogs.oracle.com/arungupta/), and Java.net.
What are your favorite TV shows?
A: All things sports especially baseball, and college football.
What are your favorite movies?
A: Metropolis, Blade Runner, and Apocalypse Now.
Who is your favorite band, or recording artist?
A: Front Line Assembly.
Who are your favorite comedians?
A: Sarah Palin, Nancy Bachman, and the crew of Saturday Night Live.
Outside of work, how much time do you spend on a computer?
A:
According to my wife, far too much time. I have a computer on my
nightstand, and I have fallen asleep with my hands on the keyboard.
Thankfully I don't drool.
What are some stereotypes of Java programmers? How accurate are they?
A:
What someone is stereotyping us! I want to be monotyped! People should
hear a single voice. Java programmers are supposedly introverted, and
lack social skills. They are not accurate... I am an extrovert.
Are there common characteristics of Java programmers who do not fit the stereotype(s)?
A: Bruno Souza, Martijn Verburg, Stephan Janssen,and
of course me. All of them are friendly, honest, approachable, and kind.
They are willing to help others if you simply ask, and love to code.
What do you love about Java itself, or love about being a Java programmer?
A: Java has a promise to "write once...run anywhere." This is a powerful
tenet of the language. This power allows you to be creative in ways
that only are limited by your imagination. In 1995, people had a vision
about what could be possible, but if you asked them today whether it
would power Predator Drones, or control the Large Hadron Collider (LHC);
the answer would have been no. If you asked them today if they are
surprised; the answer would be no. I like being able to dream, and to
teach my kids to dream. There fantasies are our future, one hopefully
powered by Java.
If you weren't a Java Programmer, what might be your focus/passion?
A:
I love the ocean, and I would likely go back to being a Merchant
Mariner. I love to sail, and I am passionate about preserving the
oceans. Perhaps I would work on engineering more efficient sailing
methods for merchant vessels to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels.
