What - Me Worry? (about JavaFX vis-à-vis the Sun acquisition by Oracle)

If you've read this blog for any length of time (or attended any of my presentations/classes) you know that I believe that JavaFX is desperately needed by the software development industry and its users.  You also know that I have spent much time and energy advocating, writing about, and providing feedback to the development of JavaFX.

I've frequently stated that JavaFX is bigger than its founder (Chris Oliver), and bigger than Sun.  JavaFX will become as pervasive as the needs of the industry require it to be, and an event like Oracle purchasing Sun in my opinion is nearly irrelevant to the success of JavaFX.

That being said, here's what fellow Java Champion Harshad Oaks wrote in his IndicThreads article on the subject:

"Oracle doesn’t have a competing GUI & graphics technology, however Oracle also doesn’t seem to be very interested in that space. I would expect Oracle to continue to support JavaFX for the time being but truly process JavaFX maybe a year from now, when it would have come to terms with the Sun acquisition."

I can make the argument that the reason Oracle "doesn't seem to be interested in that space" is because until now the rich-client Java space has been hindered by deployment issues as well as development complexity.  Java 6 update 10 and JavaFX are quickly changing this.  It is my opinion that Oracle will take full advantage of the capability of JavaFX to (for example) create graphically stunning UIs on their database tools and other products.

Regards,

Jim Weaver
JavaFXpert.com

Comments

[propecia]

i like this part of the blog:"Oracle doesn’t have a competing GUI & graphics technology, however Oracle also doesn’t seem to be very interested in that space. I would expect Oracle to continue to support JavaFX for the time being but truly process JavaFX maybe a year from now, when it would have come to terms with the Sun acquisition."" is very good

[homes for sale costa rica]

I heard the same things, and I also heard the specifics you mention backed up by the broader spectrum of statements about the value Oracle sees in what they are acquiring in Sun, including Sun's open source software. that`s right!!!

[Augusto]

Speaking of Chris Oliver, where is he? Is he presenting anything at JavaOne? His blog has been very quiet for a while ...

[swv]

I think I remember someone telling me that Oracle sells databases. Correct me if I'm wrong ;

Since JavaFX is pointed clearly at the RIA space and RIA requires a database on the other end, anything that spreads RIA uptake by the masses is good for Oracle's database business.

People buy databases to back applications. RIA and crowd-oriented applications need a community database. Crowd-based datamining, the hive mind, whatever you want to call it, all need thick clients and RIA to talk to a shared database.

I think it's easy to see where this is going...