I'm not a programmer really. I know a little bit of PHP and some C nothing major though. But I have a question about Java...

Does Java always have to use the JRE? Is it possible to make "compiled" java or something along the lines of that with Java? and if its possible, why dont more big developed projects like Open Office do this?

There's the gnu gcj compiler that can compile into native code eliminating the need for a Java virtual machine, I don't know much about it thoughl, it's limitations and what have you, all I've done with it is compile a simple "Hello World" to test it out. It's certaintly very interesting though.

linux boosts the kaffe development environment ( ) which is aimed at doing precisely that. i have not used it myself but it's freely available for d/l

and to answer your 2nd question, StarOffice was origionally written in C++, a project that commensed early 1990's. Around 1995 the entire project was scrapped in favor of a complete Java solution, which ended up getting turned into byte code using a technique similiar to that applied by kaffe.

- perry

under mandrake: kaffe- 1.0.7-2mdk.rpm

Name: kaffe
Version: 1.0.7-2mdk
Size: 2952 KB

Summary: A free virtual machine for running Java(TM) code

Description: Kaffe is a free virtual machine designed to execute Java(TM) bytecode. Kaffe can be configured in two modes. In the first mode, it operates as a pure bytecode interpreter (not unlike Javasoft's machine). In the second mode, it performs "Just-In-Time" code conversion from the abstract code to the host machine's native code. The second mode will ultimately allow execution of Java code at the same speed as standard compiled code, while also maintaining the advantages and flexibility of code independence.

Install the kaffe package if you need a Java virtual machine.