A:
Sun says Java chips might run Java code 12 times faster than bytecode interpreters. But Java chips currently exist only as simulations, and new generations of general-purpose CPUs, Java interpreters, and just-in-time (JIT) compilers are closing the performance gap.
Q: Can Java chips satisfy multiple demands?
A:
With an advanced TV set-top box -- a prime potential appl
ication for Java chips -- you could run Java applets from the World Wide Web or play videogames. But the latest home videogame machines could do this, too. Some of these boxes are surprisingly powerful and are easily capable of running a fast JIT compiler on their general-purpose RISC processors.
Q: How important will Java become?
A:
Java has the potential to become a standard for broad-based application development. The more specialized (but still significant) embedded-systems market may become even more important for Java.
Q: How will Java evolve?
A:
If Java does become a foundation for a broad range of application software, the size and structure of Java bytecode could change, and hardware architects would need to adjust their designs.
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