Speed of Java (was: Linux on old laptop in two stages)

[Lawrence Tilly]

Ben, just to retain focus on the scope of my reply, the wiki post and
his references are related primarily to using Java for game
development.  Just as with "traditional" ( usually C++ ) this is a
math-heavy realm and generally speaking many game players usually have
hardware at the upper half of the specturm ( both video and cpu/ram ).
 Also, most games are not so short-lived as not to benefit from JIT
compilation.

Java 1.4 started introducing some good speed benefits, and in many
areas 1.5 is even better.  When 1.6 ( Mustang ) comes along it has
even more strengths.  Each of these though require that the developer
code properly ( bad Java is no worse or no better than bad C++, but
bad code is still bad code ).  They also require the user to be
running a proper JVM for thier OS and hardware.

Again, this is not much different than other game developers that
require you to use a minimum version of DirectX your ensure you update
your video driver, etc.

Developing an applicaiton to run on the web or in a micro device
requires special considerations which many examples I've seen fail to
take into account. The J2ME is even more hindered by the fact that the
JVM implementaion is completly based on the vendor of the tool and I
have not seen anyone yet post that a specific vendor has "gotten it
right" with regard to a speedy JVM on thier device.  Some are getting
closer but they're still not there.

One of the non-game Java apps I have used and been impressed with is
Freemind ( mind-mapping software ).  From my experience it has been
light weight, responsive, and fast for both loading and execution just
in case you want a real-world example.

-L