Love Songs

I’ve become quite fond of Javascript as a language for developing apps (as opposed to websites). It’s very cross-platform, and pretty powerful. On modern hardware, it runs quick too.

But recently I’ve had to delve into the BlackBerry Java SDK, we’re talking Java, not Javascript. And what a pleasure it is to use a real typed language again, error checked at compile time, and easily debug with simple print statements (I tried and failed to get meaningful logs out of a BlackBerry Smartphone WebWorks app. PlayBook is fine, BTW).

It’s also totally batteries-included, you get JSON parsers, the crypto stuff I need, a user interface paradigm which automatically works across screen resolutions and whether it’s a touch screen BB or not.

BlackBerry have said that the Java environment will not appear on BBX (their new QNX-based OS). I think this is a major error. WebWorks on PlayBook, make no mistake, is a great environment, but for snappy little phone apps, it’s not ideal. It’s also not ideal for the trackpad of a BlackBerry.

We’ve also got who-knows how many companies writing corporate apps for Java-based BlackBerries, who will not want to re-write in a web app.

Many will say that Java on BlackBerry has had it’s day and is outdated compared to say iOS or Android. Graphically, maybe it is, but for making actual working applications for achieving tasks and solving problems, it’s very, very strong indeed.

I’ll say to RIM now, keep Java on BBX, I know you’ve said there are technical issues, but no-one is buying that, let’s be honest.