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The 3 pillars of Java
By Bruno Souza | code
I was talking to some community leaders this morning, about the pillars of Java.
And I know that usually, when we discuss the 3 basic pillars that make the Java technology, they are the Java Specifications, the Reference Implementation of those specs, and the TCK, the set of tests that guarantee compatibility.
Those pillars are fundamental for Java's success and evolution.
Yet…
Sometimes I feel they are a bit far from our daily lives as developers…
Specially the TCK… Have you ever seen the TCK?
No? Yeah… I though so…
Well…
Maybe the reference implementation, right?
This is what we use everyday, so, this is pretty close…
Now…
There are other pillars, that I believe are somewhat closer to us…
And they are, of course, related to the pillars above…
The OpenJDK.
That is the reference implementation for Java.
It is the closest to us in the traditional pillars, and it even closer as an open source project, that you can participate and follow.
OpenJDK allows you to look at the source code of the platform the world depends on.
Just reading the code is an opportunity to understand design decisions and learn from the masters.
And you can do more, you can get involved!
The Java Community Process, or JCP.
That is probably the more cryptic part of Java…
Most programming languages are just open source projects, what limits many aspects of their evolution.
Java is one of the few that is also an open standard, allowing for multiple vendors and implementations, promoting cooperation in the middle of competition: coopetition.
The JCP makes this possible.
The JCP guarantees that you can be part of Java's evolution, and you can influence the future of Java.
I remember the first time I joined the JCP… I felt like an impostor…
"Who am I to be here? To influence Java?"
But then something interesting happened…
I had a different perspective. I was facing real problems.
I realized that my "stupid" questions became valuable insights.
My real-world experience mattered…
The JCP makes this possible.
And one of the most important aspects of Java is…
The Java Community, best represented by the Java User Groups.
I like to call the JUGs "the place the real Java Community meets".
If you are not part of a JUG near you, you are missing out on the easiest, most direct and specially fun way to participate on Java's evolution.
Those 3 pillars, that amount to open source, standards and community, are also pillars for career growth.
Once you apply those same pillars to your career, you are applying the best principles that, for example, Java Champions use to grow their careers.
Because that's how I grow. That's how you can grow too!
I share daily career insights about applying those same pillars to your career…
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Cheers,
Bruno.
The "Java, open source, standards and community" Man