GPLing Java

The word is out - Sun decided on the software license for Java, and it's the GNU General Public License (GPL). I'm outraged. That Java wasn't under the GPL was one of my main gripes, and now I have to come to terms with a more accomodating Java.

Now I have to fall back to other gripes about Java, but with .Net being done for Microsoft by open source and Free Software folks (Mono, DotGnu), Sun Microsystems had to do something with Java.

Now that everyone is on fairly equal licensing footing again, maybe we'll all benefit. I'm still not a fan of Just-in-time compilation and similar endeavours, but... it's here. And it could mean better things; the GPL will allow developers to tweak Java just as they have been with Microsoft's .Net.

Imagine that Microsoft was so instrumental in Sun Microsystems choosing the GPL. What a funny world we live in.

Sorry, I still go with Python as a personal choice.