Java Briefing

Introduction

With so much hype and disinformation surrounding Java, it can be difficult to make decisions as to its place in a development strategy. This briefing provides an opportunity to understand the potential contribution of Java, its strengths and any weaknesses, the opportunities and the threats.

Duration and Construction

The briefing lasts one day and comprises a mixture of lecture, discussion and questions. There is a nominal programme of topics but we expect and welcome questions on any issues of particular interest.

Intended Audience

Participants will be software engineers or decision makers. They will be wanting to acquaint themselves with Java and possibly with object technology in general; and will be wanting to understand Java in comparision with other object technologies such as C++. They will also be wanting to know about the support infrastructure--networking, relational database connectivity, security, GUI, ...

Aims

To appreciate why we have turned to objects, and what differentiates Java's object technology from others
To appreciated Java's strengths, weaknesses and opportunities and threats
To appreciate the unusual lengths Java has gone to for portability and standardisation
To survey Java's library support for networking, relational database connectivity, security, GUI, ...
To understand the impact that the employment of objects might have on software engineering practices in general

Deliverables

Lecture
Facilitation of discussions
Copies of the lecture slides
Reference list of books and sources relevant to object technology

Numbers

We recommend that there are no more than 12 participants, with the best results usually obtained when there are at least 8 participants. It is possible, by negotiation and mutual agreement, for more than 12 participants to be present.

Why objects?
The Java programming langage
Why Java? Why not C++ or Visual Basic or Smalltalk or Object Pascal (Delphi)?
The positioning and philosophy of Java
Java 2 (J2EE)
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
The aims of the core library packages
The impact on development practices
Java 5 (new Java language features, including generics and enums)

Site Requirements

Data projector of at least 1024 x 768 resolution, and suitable screen
White-board, preferably not doubling up as the OHP's screen; blackboard and chalk are acceptable
Flip-chart and easel, with additional flip-chart paper
It is best if the seating is not fixed. Auditorium style seating, for example, makes it difficult to switch from lecture to group work.

Contacting

Please contact Matrice by telephone on +44 7010 704705; by fax on +44 7010 704706; by emailing bookings@matrice.co.uk; or by visiting http://www.matrice.co.uk