Compiling JDK classes in .NET
Hi,
I want to compile the java.util.* classes of the JDK into a Visual J#.NET library of classes.
This library will contain loads of my own original classes but I need the JDK versions of
the java.util.* classes because the Microsoft implementation of those classes is buggy
to the point of being unuseable. This library will be sold to other developers.
Does anyone know the legalities of doing that? Are there any licensing issue with
distributing compiled versions of the JDK classes with a .NET Dll?
Thanks,
Mike.
[586 byte] By [
mnewton76] at [2007-9-30 13:36:13]
> Does anyone know the legalities of doing that?
To just compile it for your own private use? Probably OK, as an experiment.
> Are there any licensing issue with distributing compiled versions of the JDK classes with
> a .NET Dll?
I'll guarantee you there are. You'd definitely need written permission and a license from Sun to do this. Don't even think about it.
You may have better luck with the GNU ClassPath library (http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/classpath.html). However, this library is released under the GNU GPL, which means that if you bundle this with your code and distribute it, you will also have make the sources to your program available for free to whoever asks for it.
>You may have better luck with the GNU ClassPath library >(http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/classpath.html). However, >this library is released under the GNU GPL, which means that if you
>bundle this with your code and distribute it, you will also have
>make the sources to your program available for free to whoever
>asks for it.
Wrong.
The Classpath library is released under the GPL with an exception:
http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/faq/faq.html#faq2_1
Reposted here:
Linking this library statically or dynamically with other modules is making a combined work based on this library. Thus, the terms and conditions of the GNU General Public License cover the whole combination.
As a special exception, the copyright holders of this library give you permission to link this library with independent modules to produce an executable, regardless of the license terms of these independent modules, and to copy and distribute the resulting executable under terms of your choice, provided that you also meet, for each linked independent module, the terms and conditions of the license of that module. An independent module is a module which is not derived from or based on this library. If you modify this library, you may extend this exception to your version of the library, but you are not obligated to do so. If you do not wish to do so, delete this exception statement from your version.
The library is GPL, but you may link to it without having to GPL your code. The exact same terms are used for the GCC compiler, and you see plenty of non-GPL software using it.
