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Jim Connors published a great blog post a little while ago, describing the benefits of using the new Java SE 8 language and API features on multicore embedded systems like the Boundary Devices BD-SL-i.MX6 (built around the Freescale i.MX6 quad-core architecture).
As you can see in the above diagram, leveraging parallel Java SE 8 Lambda and stream operations can dramatically improve overall performance. What’s more, the effort on the part of the developer is minor and the resulting Java code is portable and scalable across all Java SE 8 platforms, including completely different underlying architectures such as ARM on Linux vs. x86 on Windows.
Compare that to a traditional embedded multicore application, which typically is built with specialized frameworks, knowledge, and tuning and results in platform-specific code with limited portability and scalability. Plus, potentially hard-to-find multithreading bugs …
Out-of-the-box multicore support is another great example of why Java Embedded makes a lot of sense for embedded solutions.
Cheers,
— Terrence
The current March/April issue of Java Magazine is chock-full with embedded content:
- From Smart Grids to Microbrews: Using Java ME 8 to manage utilities infrastructure AND to brew beer
- Java ME 8 and the Internet of Things: Top features of Java ME 8
- New to Java? How to become and Embedded Java Developer in Minutes
- JavaFX and Near Field Communication on the Raspberry Pi
… along with lots of other great Java content, especially related to this week’s launch of Java 8.
PS: For more info on the beer-brewing use case, see the screencast “Developing Modular, Service-enabled Applications: Java ME 8” (go here and scroll down to see the screencast under the “Java ME 8” section).
Java Magazine is free, but requires registration. Enjoy!
Cheers,
— Terrence
Java 8 is officially launching today!
Along with todays live launch event there will be lots of new information available such as a set of brand-new screencasts:
Java ME 8 is a key part of the Java 8 launch and will be available soon. Until then, there’s plenty to get started – for example, the Java ME 8 Early Access. Or check out the new Java ME 8 screencasts:
- Be an Embedded Developer in Minutes using Java ME 8
- JSR 360 – CLDC 8: Benefits of an Optimized Implementation
- JSR 360 – CLDC 8: Java Platform for IoT
- JSR 360 – CLDC 8: Generic Networking APIs
- Unified Development Experience for Java ME 8 and Java SE 8
- Accessing H/W Devices using Java ME 8 Device I/O API
- Java ME 8: Top 10 Features
- Java ME 8: Tackling the Challenges of Embedded Software Design
- JSR 361 – MEEP 8: A New Java Profile for the Embedded World
- Developing Modular, Service-Enabled Applications with Java ME 8
Lots to learn. Exciting times.
Cheers,
— Terrence
I’m excited to be on my way to JavaLand, the brand-new German Java Community Conference. Will be speaking tomorrow, March 26 at 2 pm, on the topic of “Desktop to Internet of Things in 12 Seconds”.
Should be a great conference & hope to see you there!
Cheers,
— Terrence
I totally forgot to post this announcement by Gemalto and Qualcomm from CES. Yes, it’s a few weeks old, but it has not lost any of its relevance. Quite the opposite … with the Java ME 8 release coming up soon, the momentum is building:
“Gemalto launches next generation M2M product range adding Oracle Java ME 8 solutions capability based on chipsets from Qualcomm Technologies”
For more information, see the Gemalto press release.
Cheers,
— Terrence
Update 3/20/2014: Added notes for b54 drop.
As announced 2 weeks ago, we have started semi-regular developer drops of Java ME 8.
Developer Drop b54 was just pushed out today. As before, this is provided “as is”, with no guarantees of stability or functionality.
To access, go to the EA #2 downloads page and look for “latest developer build”:
Note: It is recommended to use the NetBeans 8 RC1 or NetBeans 8 GA “All” bundle together with the latest Java ME SDK 8 developer build.
Change of Device Access API in the b54:
- The Device Access API name and namespace has been changed to Device I/O (DIO) in preparation for the Java ME 8 final release. This requires that you update the package imports in your application. The latest DIO documentation can be found here.
Notes on changes for the Qualcomm IoE platform in b54:
- The previously separate Netsetup BrewMP application has been removed and the functionality has been integrated into the Java runtime. Network setup for WiFi/3G is now done as part of the Java runtime initialization.
- A new BrewMP application called reboot_java has been added. It is optional and can be used to trigger a soft reboot (Java reboot without board reboot).
- Network setup, AccessPoint API, and Cellular API functionality has been improved/made more complete.
Questions/feedback? Java ME Embedded OTN forum or [email protected]
Cheers,
— Terrence
Java SE 8 was released just a few minutes ago, along with Java SE Embedded 8.
Find out all about it on the Java Source Blog (post1, post2).
And be sure to sign up for the Java 8 Launch Event on March 25.
Cheers,
— Terrence
The free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Develop Java ME 8 Embedded Applications with Raspberry Pi” will kick off March 31 (original announcement here)
Space is filling up fast (we’re capping registration numbers to allow for good student/instructor ratio). This is going to be a very cool course, and the MOOC team just released a new video describing the outline and the goals.
Check it out. And then enroll.
Cheers,
— Terrence
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