Jason Purdy

It's a funny thing, public opinion and the media and how they determine the direction of so many things. Presidential elections, foreign policy, the stock market, and yes, even Java. Java has survived 1997, but its coat doesn't have the same shine and sheen that it enjoyed in 1995, where it was the latest buzzword and managers were looking for Java developers with at least five years of experience. It's 1998 and in order for Java to make it into the 21st century, it needs a new infusion of both marketing and material. Third party component vendors, such as Stingray Software and Rogue Wave, will continue to play a major role in Java's evolution. By filling in the gaps of the JDK, component vendors allow developers to go farther, pushing Java into a more serious contender as the language of choice. While the component vendor role is high in importance (even higher as... (more)