Well today was my first day in my new job and it was time to get reacquainted with Java. My first task was to get the existing code base working on my Linux workstation (rather than fight the Java on FreeBSD demons). I downloaded the JDK from Sun and installed it. Checked out the appropriate code from CVS. Ran the compilation process. It all compiled. Ran the script to start up the server. It started. On the first try. No tweaking.

So I guess this Java stuff really IS multi-platform, huh?

My next task was to modify the command line interface to the server (you telnet to a funny port and issue commands to it). I added an echo command, so you can telnet in and type echo foo at the prompt. If it works, the server says: foo

Yeah, this is high-tech

Anyway, that was hard that I thought it might be. If memory serves, I created 3 new classes and modified as many configuration files. I'm a little surprised at the amount of code necessary to do something that trivial. I hope it's not a sign of things to come. Maybe Perl has spoiled me a bit too much?

My next task is to learn more about the server framework we're using: Avalon from the Apache project. According to the Avalon site:

The Avalon project is an effort to create, design, develop and maintain a common framework and set of components for applications written using the Java language.

Lots of docs to read. And I need to brush up on my language skills. This whole "everything is an object" mentality is going to take some getting used to again.

Oh, I suspect there's gonna be a lot of Java commentary spewing from me in the near future. I'll create a Java category in my blog for it.

Posted by jzawodn at December 16, 2002 10:29 PM

Reader Comments
# peter royal said:

avalon eh? i hack on that occasionally. feel free to post me any q's you have, or hop on the users mailing list.

on December 17, 2002 05:36 AM
# brandt said:

finally you're going to be blogging about coding that i can relate to! i've been trying to pick up Java myself...

on December 17, 2002 06:10 AM
# kasia said:

Feel free to bug me if you need any help with this cryptic Java nonsense..

on December 17, 2002 08:27 AM
# Prashant Rane said:

Dream job, you have sir.
I would love to be in a componay who is using such technology. I have been hacking (Reading and running demos mostly) on Avalon for quite some time and would love to use it some place.

You have helped me with rh8.0 download before.

Good luck to you sir.

on December 24, 2002 12:35 PM
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