JavaOS is a discontinued Unlike Windows, macOS, Unix, or Unix-like systems which are primarily written in the C or C++ programming languages, JavaOS is primarily written in Java. It is now considered a legacy system.
JavaOS was first announced in a Byte article. In 1996, JavaSoft's official product announcement described the compact OS designed to run "in anything from net computers to pagers". IBM indicated its focus was more on network computer thin clients, specifically to replace traditional IBM 3270 "green screen" and Unix X terminals, and to implement single application clients.
Chorus, a distributed real-time operating system, was used for its microkernel technology. thereby creating the Chorus/Jazz product, which was intended to allow Java applications to run in a distributed, real-time embedded system environment. Then in September 1997, it was announced that Sun Microsystems was acquiring Chorus Systèmes SA.
In 1999, Sun and IBM announced the discontinuation of the JavaOS product. As early as 2003, Sun materials referred to JavaOS as a "legacy technology", recommending migration to Java ME, leaving the choice of specific OS and Java environment to the implementer.
Design
JavaOS is based on a hardware architecture native microkernel, running on platforms including ARM, PowerPC, SPARC, StrongARM, and IA-32 (x86). The Java virtual machine runs on the microkernel. All device drivers are written in Java and executed by the virtual machine. A graphics and windowing system implementing the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) application programming interface (API) is also written in Java.
See also
- Solaris (operating system)
- SunOS
- Android (operating system)
- Java Desktop System
- JX (operating system)
- Inferno (operating system)
- SavaJe
- Vino (operating system)
- JavaStation