Steven Schwarz

The Java development and runtime environment, with its "write once, run anywhere" paradigm, brings enormous advantages to the embedded industry. Java code is highly reliable, easily ported, and includes features such as Internet readiness, security, and the ability to download code at runtime to upgrade or extend applications. As such, it's ideal for Internet appliances (such as set-top boxes, Internet screen phones, or handheld devices) as well as traditional embedded devices (such as printers, medical devices, measurement and control instruments, telecommunication and data-communication equipment now connecting to the Internet). In Part 1 of this article (JDJ, Vol. 6, issue 9), we discussed some of the challenges of using Java for developing embedded systems and some of the solutions that are available to developers. In Part 2, we describe the benefits Java brin... (more)