Native Code Compiler

Hi,

[*] Compiling into native code destroys portability, which is one of

the main benefits of Java. If you want to create a native executable

because you wanted to make it easy to distribute and use programs,

consider a Jar file instead.

Some companies make products that do this. See the webpages for

Symantec http://www.symantec.com, Supercede http://www.supercede.com,

and Tower Technology http://www.twr.com. The first two are targeted to

Windows. Tower Technology supports several flavors of Unix.

Also, there is a native Java compiler from IBM, known as the HPJ (High

Performance Java) compiler. One user has reported that it created a 2Mb

executable from a 12K java file, and did not run any faster. See

http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/

See also Instantiations JOVE http://www.instantiations.com/jove.htm,

the paper about the Toba project

http://research.microsoft.com/research/lt/toddpro/papers/coots97.pdf,

Network World, "Vendors Rush To Speed Java Performance", Feb 9 1998, at

http://www.nwfusion.com/news/0209java.html

Compiling to native code takes away the most significant benefit of

Java: portability of executables. Further, if you want your Java DLL

(or .exe) to interact with C++, you'll have to specify which specific

C++ compiler and/or actually compile some sort of linkage via the

appropriate C++ compiler. C++ does not have a standard ABI, so there is

a big problem with interoperability. Every C++ compiler uses a

different object model, a different way of laying out class members,

and a different way of "mangling" names for the linker.

C is much simpler. The only question here is how structures are

"packed" (i.e., are integers aligned on four-byte bounds?). All the C++

compilers can interact with C code, thanks to 'extern "C"'

declarations.

Consider carefully why you want to compile to a native executable, and

whether there is a Java way to accomplish your goal. There may be a

good reason for compiling to native code, but it needs to be thought

through.

Thanks,

Senthilkumar

senthil_indts at 2007-6-29 8:44:47 >

The whole purpose of the "Java to Native Code" or better yet "Java to C" movement is extremely simple.

Java has the cleanest syntax of any language written yet, and its integrated IDE capabilities are fantastic, however, the JVM (SSSLLLLOOOWWW) completely limits java to a very very small subset of systems.

Otherwise I guarentee, every single major application out there right now would be being done in Java pure and simple, this includes games, and mission critical applications. People would absolutely flock to this language.

With a java to C compiler, people could then recompile the c Code into their platform specific application easy enough, and have the shortest development time for a program imaginable, without the major setback of the JVM.

One more thing, please remember most applications are absolutely NOT internet based, or even networked.

Sun wants to keep java theirs for one reason, the licensing fee. If they make everyone use the JVM. They must license the JVM, otherwise, if they made a true Java to C compiler they would not be able to find out what applications were being done using the Java Language. This is also why I believe they are afraid of putting it to a standards commitee.

However, the idea that a language as a platform is really a bad idea. You are not pigeon-holing the consumer here, but rather the developers, and most of them say "why bother". With C# comming too, I can only hope that they have recieved the message, otherwise independant developers will have to start making there own languages, or brush up on c++ or pascal to get their work done, since these are non licensed languages.

Robert135 at 2007-6-29 8:44:47 >

The reason why I want to make native win32 code is so that my programs can be used on other computers, by people who aren't into programming. They don't have the JDK installed and don't want to install anything on their computer.

I've used JET(personal), it works but it still needs the JDK.

I've been looking for quite a while, but I haven't found any compiler (preferably incuding AWT or even SWING compatibility) .

I hope someone has found one here.

MennoLodder at 2007-6-29 8:44:47 >

Use Visual Cafe Expert Edition 4.0 to create Win32 JFC Application or Win32 Console Application, to get an executable java file directly. It supports Java Swing as well as standard Java Code. You can also link other dlls with the application...kool tool..

But only useful if you own this tool otherwise you have to purchase it. Normally, all the java programmers use Visual Cafe or JBuilder or Visual Age for Java for development of enterprise or graphical applications. I know that VCafe and Visual Age support Native Code Compilation, but not sure about JBuilder..

praveenruchi at 2007-6-29 8:44:47 >