The whole world calls him nothing more than “the father of Java” and “Dr. Java”.
However, this was not always the case, of course. James used to be a normal kid living in rural western Canada. It should be noted that there were much more tractors than computers. How did James Gosling decide to become a programmer then? In this article, we share an interview with James Gosling.
The whole world calls him nothing more than “the father of Java” and “Dr. Java”.
However, this was not always the case, of course. James used to be a normal kid living in rural western Canada. It should be noted that there were much more tractors than computers. How did James Gosling decide to become a programmer then?
It all started with a trip in 1968 or 1969: his father's friend took the boy with him to the University of Calgary. As they passed by the student computer center, something clicked inside James.
According to Gosling himself, after that he went crazy: the guy literally “hung out” in the university library, digging through the urns with papers. What was he looking for there? Student accounts and any other opportunity to access university computers!
After several years almost living in a computer center in Calgary, Gosling finally decided to get a bachelor's degree in computer science. This is how the story of the legendary Canadian programmer began.
What do long-term projects mean to you? Do you like them or do they scare you?
To be honest, long-term projects are my path to mental health. Working in a fast-changing environment like the tech world can be really crazy. When you're constantly “putting out fires”, you don't have time to rest and reboot your brain.
Was creating Java one of those projects for you?
Java wasn't just a long-term project for me. This is my lifelong creation that changed the programming world forever. Java popularized the best ideas of early languages, giving them a new format familiar to the average C programmer.
What would you do differently if you had to re-develop Java?
It's nothing. Yes, I know Java has changed a lot since its inception, but I love these changes. The language has developed and become absolutely amazing, and I feel like a proud father to him.
What does programming mean to you in general?
This is a style of self-discipline. When I'm programming, I try to write in a very functional way, even if it might raise questions for others. When people look at some of my codes, it's not uncommon for them to ask, “What's the...?” Yes, I confess that sometimes I think differently, for example, I can choose recursion when others use the array (laughs).
Do you love and use other programming languages?
To be honest, Java is quite enough for me. I would put Shell Script in second place. Well, Rust also works very well when writing drivers for low-level devices.
What do you love most about programming?
The most interesting thing for me is creating programs that work stably. That's why I developed Java: its essence is to help create programs that don't break.
What do you think about the future of programming?
Programming is developing very actively. I've noticed a strong trend towards AI-based coding tools. I think AI is the future!
What advice would you give to less experienced programmers?
Have fun! I fell in love with programming because I had fun doing it. Once you start treating codes like the funniest things in the world, your job is no longer a job but an exciting journey.
Do you ever plan to “retire”?
I'm still working because I still love it. I feel like a little kid with grey hair who keeps looking for new challenges for the sole purpose of having fun. This is my most important fuel.
Based on materials taken from the article: https://building.nubank.com.br/talk-james-gosling-java-at-nubank/
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