Find JSRs
Submit this Search


Ad Banner
 
 
 
 
Q & A WITH SHASHANK TIWARI
  • Why do you want a seat on the EC?

    I have been contributing to the evolution and adoption of Java since late 1990s and have been an active participant of the JCP for around 4 years. I have enjoyed participating as an Expert Group Member in 6 different JSRs. In addition I am an active Java community participant, often cited speaking and writing about Java.In addition to Java I am also quite actively involved with the evolution of dynamic languages and the evolution of Java as a platform through its support of newer generation lamguages like Scala. I would like to bring my experience to the EC and would like to be the neutral and honest voice representing the community.
  • What changes would you like to make happen during your three-year tenure on the EC (if elected)?

    I would like to see the following happen:
    • 1. Evolution of Java as a platform and as a language, with special focus on simplicity and productivity enhancement. A lot of work is already going on in this direction.
    • 2. Merging of effort where scopes of more than one JSR(s) overlap. The boundaries today are too rigid and often lead to complications in the spec.
    • 3. Active standardization of currently used practices and not necessarily the vice versa. In other words encourage community members to bring there successful patterns to the standards body.
    • 4. Greater involvement of the community members. There are over 10 million Java programmers in the world and thousands of companies that actively work on Java and yet we have less than 1000 members in the JCP. In addition, the voices of individuals and companies is not properly balanced. Companies drive standards by making their products and services comply to it and individual developer help it become succcessful by adopting it.
  • The majority of EC members seem to represent big corporations. How can we ensure that the interests of the broader development community are represented?

    Firstly, I disgree with EC membership being the only way to represent the interests of the broader community. A lot of individuals contribute to numerous JSR(s) and their detailed specifications as expert group members, spec leads and active reviewers. However, that said, you are right in saying that the EC does seem to represent big corporations. This is where electing individuals like me who is deeply involved in the community and is a member of the community provides the balance.
  • How should the JCP adapt to the Open Source movement?

    Many JSR RIs are already done within Open Source groups. Many open source contributors and leaders (like Apache) participate in the JCP. So I think the JCP is already on the right path. Its no surprise that we will see more of this in future.
  • If you are elected on the JCP EC which will be your top priorities over your term:
    • energize your company's participation in the community: submit new JSRs, actively participate in EGs, motivate spec leads to become mentors ...
    • evangelize the importance of standards
    • improve the process
    • other


    Evangelize the importance of standards. Lack of standards or existence of multiple standards makes a developer's life difficult and complicates the inter-operability between sub-systems and portability of applications.

    Equally important is that the standards are actually adopted. A standard that is not well adopted is not a standard at all!
  • What role do you think standards and standards development will have in the future (if any)?

    It will be the most important way for aggregation of best practices and evolution of the language. In future, I see more and more members bringing their successful ideas to the standards body from where it will go to the larger community.