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Brian Goetz - Stewardship: the Sobering Parts

ClojureTV · 38.7K views · 2014-11-23 · 1:03:31

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Overview

Java Language Architect Brian Goetz talks at a Clojure conference about the challenges of evolving a mature language like Java while preserving compatibility with existing code and developer expectations. It also gives a look at where the platform is headed.

On Hacker News

HN repeatedly recommends it as the definitive explanation of why Java evolves cautiously and why compatibility matters in language design.

Recommended by 10 HN people across 9 months · HN mentions 2014–2025

Topics

Programming language designPython, Ruby & scripting languagesSoftware architecture & design
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javalanguage designbackward compatibilitybrian goetzjvm

What people said

gw · 2017-11 · Strong recommendation

Against my better judgement I did a reverse image search and found the post that you found that screenshot from [1]. The post is full of people having exactly the sort of problems you would expect from an automatic software updater, along with instructions from Jeff on how to manually update using SSH and git. These things happen. The world is messy, and whether due to technical inadequacy or run-of-the-mill software updater bugs, web backends will not always be updated. As you've noted, this could eventually lead to security problems, and I agree -- but that doesn't justify intentionally breaking their code. To say that their breakage is justifiable because they'll be 0wned at some point anyway is an absurdly darwinian argument. To address your last question, the way you update a system like the web is exactly the way we always have -- accretion . With very few exceptions, websites from the early 90s still work today. We didn't remove the `table` tag when we introduced flex boxes. We add new APIs while preserving existing functionality. If you want to see a fantastic talk on this exact subject, watch "Stewardship: The Sobering Parts" by Brian Goetz [2]. It is well worth your time. [1] [LINK] [2] [VIDEO]

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filereaper · 2017-09 · Strong recommendation

Brian Goetz the Java Language Architect addressed the very points you raised in a talk called "Stewardship: the Sobering Parts" [1] I highly recommend anyone with these very valid concerns to view it once. [1] [VIDEO]

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filereaper · 2016-07 · Strong recommendation

On the topic of stewardship, I highly recommend this talk by Brian Goetz titled "Stewardship: the Sobering Parts" [1] Brian goes about how important compatibility is for the language, the concept not throwing customers code under the bus by bringing breaking incompatibilities. (ie Python 2 --> 3) Java has its warts and isn't "cool" but I respect their design decisions. [1] [VIDEO]

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Sources

Video by ClojureTV, played through YouTube.

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