Pledging 350 Hours to Save Project Jigsaw for Java 8

this blog post marks the beginning of my mission to save project jigsaw...

why do i care?

i believe that project jigsaw is single most important enhancement to both java and the jvm since the initial release.  it will forever change how and where java is developed and deployed.  jigsaw has been touted as the next major step forward in start up time, performance, and a key to bringing java se to a broader range of platforms including smartphones, tablets, and the cloud.

what is the problem?

when i learned that jigsaw was once again being pushed back to the next release of java (currently estimated to be available in 2015) i was disappointed.  i kept asking myself questions like...

• why has it taken so long?
• what work is complete and what work is outstanding?
• is there a way to introduce jigsaw in phases?
• will jigsaw ever see the light of day?

at the same time, i realize that jigsaw is an enormous undertaking that, if done wrong, could be the end of what was once the king of development platforms.

what can i do?

the day after, i started thinking a little differently.  instead of being disappointed and questioning oracle's commitment, i wondered if there was anything i can do .  i have benefited greatly from java and the open source ecosystem and believe it is time to give back.  after all, oracle shouldn't be alone in their quest to move java forward.  millions depend on java and the jvm and will benefit greatly from jigsaw.  i can help with development, but i know that won't be enough.

the pledge

to get us started, i hereby pledge 350 hours of my time to help save project jigsaw (approximately 8hrs/week from now until may 2013).  this time can include development , organizing the community, posting to this blog to keep everyone up to date on our progress, etc.

developers, testers, and other interested parties, i can't do it alone.  if you want to pledge your time too, you have come to the right place...