The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 5 (of 5)

.net Smart Clients

There has been a lot of talk lately about the API wars & web apps vs. rich clients.

Since many individuals are not familiar with Smart Clients, you might find these articles interesting:

.NET
http://www.msdn.microsoft.com/architecture/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnpag/html/scag.asp

Java Web Start
http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/architecture.html

Gen'xer
Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Re: Java Web Start:

"If the resources are not present or an update is available, Java Web Start will download the needed resources. "

Doesn't mention that those resources (in my understanding) might be a 10 or 20 MB download of the Java runtime (if Java isn't installed)

"Thus, the initial download and subsequent updates of an application happen transparently."

Transparent except for that 10 or 20 MB download and install (and possible reboot).

Probably works fine for most up to date power user computers.

But that's far from everyone.

Mr. Analogy
Wednesday, June 23, 2004

So you're saying the Java Web Start launcher is able to run without actually having the JVM installed?

Joe
Wednesday, June 23, 2004