[clug] Why isn't Java popular on the Linux Desktop?

[Jack Kelly]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 2:55 PM, Jason Stokes<glasper9 at yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> Jack Kelly <endgame.dos at gmail.com> wrote:
>> gcj
>> with the CNI could be fantastic, as java-the-language isn't too bad,
>> but it currently needs work*.

I guess you mentally parsed this as incorrectly, as it's poorly
worded. I meant to imply gcj/classpath/whatever  needs work.

>> *Example: its printf-style formatter still doesn't support "%f". I kid you not.
>
> This simply isn't true.  System.out.printf supports %f, as does java.util.Formatter.

In theory, the above statement is correct. In practice:

Test.java:
8<---
public class Test {
   public static void main(String[] argv) {
       System.out.printf("%f\n", 3.0);
   }
}
---->8

Let's compile and see:
$ gcj --main=Test Test.java -o Test
$ ./Test

$

Let's try the Sun JDK:
$ javac Test.java
$ java Test
3.000000
$

So... yeah. http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=32809

-- Jack