Re: Kaffe & Classpath

[Nic Ferrier]

>>> Drake Wilson <address@hidden> 08-Aug-01 10:43:30 PM >>>

   Kaffe comes with its own Java libraries, which are 
   also GPLed.  Why not just use those?  The GPL, 
   IIRC, allows one to extend them, move them into 
  another namespace, etc. as long as the modifications 
  are clearly marked, which wouldn't be a problem.

In no particular order:

1. Classpath "belongs" to the GNU project. The (c) belongs to the
FSF. This allows the FSF to fight any legal battles that
re-implementation might cause. Kaffe's code is owned by Transvirtual
Technologies.

2. Kaffe's java code is targetted specifically at the Kaffe VM. It's
TVT's commerical impetus (the embedded market) that feeds the design
of that library. Classpath has no such restriction.

3. Kaffe's java code is quite out of date now. Although TVT provide
updates every now and then Classpath seems to be more up to date.

4. Kaffe's code is GPLed. This stops some people using it.
Classpath's code is GPL+exception, this gets around some linking
issues for some people.


If you're interested in this stuff you should go back through the
archives of this list because there's more information there.


Nic Ferrier