Compiling Java for Embedded Systems

by Per Bothner

In January 2000, Cygnus was bought by Red Hat.

Content

  1. Java implementation
  2. Issues with embedded Java
  3. Compiling Java
  4. Run-time
  5. Status
Acknowledgements
Bibliography

Abstract

While a major factor in Java's success is its use of portable bytecodes, we believe it cannot become a mainstream programming language without mainstream implementation techniques. Specifically, an optimizing, ahead-of-time compiler allows much better optimization along with much faster application start-up times than with JIT translators. Red Hat is writing a Java front-end for the GNU compiler, gcc, in order to translate Java bytecodes to machine code. This uses a widely used, proven technology. In this paper, we discuss issues in implementing Java using traditional compiler, linker, and debugging technology; particular emphasis is given to using Java in embedded and limited memory environments.

Next >