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 GB1 

    

ot2003 Session

Is EJB the only game in town?

   

Are there viable strategies for server-side Java that are not based on EJB?

Tuesday 1 April, 16:15

goldfish bowl -    75 minutes

RichardBarnes
AndyMoorley

 
Abstract
The use of Enterprise Java Beans as a server-side development platform has gained significant popularity and is subject to much investment and even more marketing hype from the major technology vendors in the Java space. However it appears that while initially EJB (and other parts of the J2EE platform) were additional and optional layers upon the standard Java platform, it is increasingly being present as the only approach to writing Java for the server. This view is backed up by emergence of programmes such as Sun's "Java Verified" programme which allows companies to have their applications certified as enterprise Java applications but in doing so they must be using EJB (thus even J2EE has become subservient to the EJB part of it).

This goldfish bowl will discuss whether this is a healthy and sensible approach and what alternatives there might be for those wishing to write Java for enterprise applications but unhappy with EJB. The initial members of the bowl will be briefly asked to present their views on on some of the following:

  • Whether they believe the current situation is good news or bad news
  • Whether EJB is currently the best options for server-side Java
  • Whether EJB is universally applicable or limited to a subset of applications
  • State what they believe the advantages of EJB are
  • State what they believe the disadvantages of EJB (both in terms of design/philosophy and current implementations are)

Prior to and at the conclusion of the discussion a vote will be taken on the motion:
  • "This house believes EJB represents the only viable server-side development environment for Java"
Audience
Those who are likely to gain the most from this GFB will be those who are ready and able to participate in the discussion. This will at least entail having had some exposure at either the theoretical or real usage of EJB. That exposure might be as a developer but could equally be as someone who is either more of a (business) analyst, architecture or project manager as these people are likely to be able to add to more of the "big picture".

Those who have no previous experience of EJB but are facing technology decisions where EJB is an option should also find this session informative although their participation levels will be limited.

Benefits
  • Provide input to future technology decisions or post-justifications of those already taken in your project!
  • Pooling of experiences (good and bad) of EJB
  • Understand the range of applicability of the EJB platform
  • Hone your debating skills and making you appear very knowledgeable in your next job interview ;-)

Materials
Position paper for conference proceedings to explain background. List of URLs on useful discussion of EJB and on vendor directions/focuses.

 

RichardBarnes

AndyMoorley

Truedata / SPA 		Andy Moorley runs a small computer services company called Truedata that specialises in working for the not for profit and charity sector.

Truedata provides event management services for the SPA conference and several other IT events. Truedata also develops software for name and address maintenance using MS Office technologies and also various web technologies.

This is all very different from my previous life, which has included Product Management, Architect and Developer roles in the financial sector most recently for Coexis Limited and for banks such as JP Morgan Chase.

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