What after Java? From objects to actors

In this paper, we discuss some drawbacks of the Java programming language, and propose some potential improvements for concurrent object-oriented software development. In particular, we argue that Java's passive object model does not provide an effective means for building distributed applicati...

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Published in:Computer networks and ISDN systems Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 573 - 577
Main Authors: Varela, Carlos A., Agha, Gul A.
Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.1998
Elsevier Science
Subjects:
Actors
Applied sciences
Computer science; control theory; systems
Concurrent object-oriented programming
Distributed systems
Exact sciences and technology
Information systems. Data bases
Java
Memory organisation. Data processing
Programming languages
Software
World Wide Web
Java
Actors
Concurrent object-oriented programming
Distributed systems
JAVA language
Software development
Information system
Computer software
Object oriented
World wide web
Computer programming languages
Information retrieval
Internet
Distributed system
ISSN:0169-7552
Online Access:Get full text
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Abstract In this paper, we discuss some drawbacks of the Java programming language, and propose some potential improvements for concurrent object-oriented software development. In particular, we argue that Java's passive object model does not provide an effective means for building distributed applications, critical for the future of Web-based next-generation information systems. Specifically, we suggest improvements to Java's existing mechanisms for maintaining consistency across multiple threads (e.g. synchronized), sending asynchronous messages (e.g. start/run methods) and controlling resources (e.g. thread scheduling). We drive the discussion with examples and suggestions from our own work on the Actor model of computation.
AbstractList Contribution to a special issue devoted to the Proceedings of the Seventh International World Wide Web Conference, held 14-18 April 1998, Brisbane, Australia. Discusses drawbacks of the Java programming language, and proposes some potential improvements for concurrent object-oriented software development. Java's passive object model does not provide an effecitve means for building distributed applications, critical for the future of Web-based next-generation information systems. Suggests improvements to Java's existing mechanisms for maintaining consistency across multiple threads, sending asynchronous messages and controlling resources. Drives the discussion with examples and suggestions from work on the Actor model of computation. (Original abstract - amended)
In this paper, we discuss some drawbacks of the Java programming language, and propose some potential improvements for concurrent object-oriented software development. In particular, we argue that Java's passive object model does not provide an effective means for building distributed applications, critical for the future of Web-based next-generation information systems. Specifically, we suggest improvements to Java's existing mechanisms for maintaining consistency across multiple threads (e.g. synchronized), sending asynchronous messages (e.g. start/run methods) and controlling resources (e.g. thread scheduling). We drive the discussion with examples and suggestions from our own work on the Actor model of computation.
Author Varela, Carlos A.
Agha, Gul A.
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  fullname: Agha, Gul A.
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Issue 1
Keywords Java
Actors
Concurrent object-oriented programming
Distributed systems
JAVA language
Software development
Information system
Computer software
Object oriented
World wide web
Computer programming languages
Information retrieval
Internet
Distributed system
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Agha (BIB1) 1986
Frølund, Agha (BIB4) 1995
Lea (BIB7) 1996
Frølund (BIB3) 1996
Agha (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB2) 1998
Frølund (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB4) 1995
Lea (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB7) 1996
Frølund (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB3) 1996
Agha (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB1) 1986
Gosling (10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB5) 1996
References_xml – year: 1986
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  publication-title: Concurrent Programming in Java
– year: 1998
  ident: 10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB2
  article-title: Modular heterogeneous system development: a critical analysis of Java
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– year: 1995
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  article-title: Abstracting interactions based on message sets
– year: 1996
  ident: 10.1016/S0169-7552(98)00079-8_BIB5
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Contribution to a special issue devoted to the Proceedings of the Seventh International World Wide Web Conference, held 14-18 April 1998, Brisbane, Australia....
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SubjectTerms Actors
Applied sciences
Computer science; control theory; systems
Concurrent object-oriented programming
Distributed systems
Exact sciences and technology
Information systems. Data bases
Java
Memory organisation. Data processing
Programming languages
Software
World Wide Web
Title What after Java? From objects to actors
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