VRML, Java, & CORBA

tim ([email protected])
Sat, 14 Oct 1995 13:41:00 -0400


I am very concerned about using Java as the distribution language due
to the licensing requirements. I don't think that tossing out the myriad
of cross-platform languages that have no licensing requirements (i.e
TCL, Perl, LISP) is the answer.

I hear people complain about CORBA then I hear an worse solution
(Distributed OLE, its not even cross-platform). I feel that CORBA is
misunderstood. There are excellent implementations of CORBA that could
easily satisfy our needs. I don't think if a marriage between CORBA and
VRML would collapse under its own weight. How many people on this list
have implemented distributed programs using CORBA ??? Here at BNR we use
a number of distribution mechanisms (Real-time CORBA, distributed
smalltalk, DCE). The distributed smalltalk is used on our ATM switch, so
I think we can't rule out other distribution mechanism. IBM seems to
think highly of CORBA, their implementation (SOM/DSOM) is being used in
a number of places(OpenDoc, OS/2, a TINA DPE implementation)

Unless, Java is released into the public domain, I would argue against
it due to a number of existing technologies that can solve our problem.
>From what I have heard and esad about Java, it only solves a portion of
our distribution problem. In addition we need to worry about security on
the machines. Using existing distribution mechanisms such as CORBA and
DCE have alesady solved a number of these issues.

We must tesad carefully before we continue down this road. First, let us
consider esquirements for both the behaviour and distribution. Once
again let me repeat the call to step back and look at the overall
picture before people propose solutions to the small problems.
Otherwise, we will end up grafting bits and pieces together in a
patchwork.

Regards,

Tim Lahey
[email protected] SKA [email protected]


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