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Java Forum / General / February 2006Implementing an existing interface
Hi! Assume that I want to create my own implementation of an existing interface, eg. java.lang.ArrayList. Will it be OK if I use the interface designed by Sun, ie. won't it be in violation with copyright law? Thanks in advance  Signaturegolem > Hi! > > Assume that I want to create my own implementation of an existing > interface, eg. java.lang.ArrayList. Will it be OK if I use the > interface > designed by Sun, ie. won't it be in violation with copyright law? I am not a lawyer, but I've seen lots of people implement interfaces written by Sun. That's sort of the whole point behind having an interface. Sun, for example, publishes some interfaces for parsing XML files, and it's only 3rd parties, such as Apache, who actually writes the implementation for those interfaces (e.g. the Xerces parser). So unless you have some special reason to worry, I wouldn't worry too much about it. - Oliver Nice to hear that.. then I understand it would be all legal if I made a port of the whole Sun's API to another platform or even implemented it in another language? Nice... Thx Signaturegolem "golem" <a.klopotek@gmail.com> wrote on 13 Feb 2006 11:01:39 -0800 in comp.lang.java.programmer: >Nice to hear that.. then I understand it would be all legal if I made a >port of the whole Sun's API to another platform or even implemented it >in another language? Nice... First you should learn what "interface" means in the Java language. Then you might understand the answer you were given. SignatureCheck out QueryForm, a free, open source, Java/Swing-based front end for relational databases. http://qform.sourceforge.net If you're a musician, check out RPitch Relative Pitch Ear Training Software. http://rpitch.sourceforge.net > First you should learn what "interface" means in the Java language. > Then you might understand the answer you were given. I was talking about "interface" in the context of object oriented programming, not java interface. Signaturegolem > Nice to hear that.. then I understand it would be all legal if I made a > port of the whole Sun's API to another platform or even implemented it > in another language? Nice... What you are talking about here is probably reimplementing the jdk API. An interface in java is an abstract programming construct (such as List or Iterable), while the API is a concrete implementation (such as ArrayList and BufferedWriter) and under a Sun license. I.e. you are not allowed to call such a software package anything Java or Java API unless it is licensed by Sun and has passed the conformance tests. (Thats why microsoft in the end, had to stop supporting java and then created C# as a replacement in its product line) So, if you want to port the entire jdk to another platform etc, I think you should talk with Sun about it first. But, if you are just talking about creating a 3rd party implementation of one of javas framework etc, such as a cryptolib or collections package, then go right ahead, thats what those frameworks and interfaces are there for. /tom > Nice to hear that.. then I understand it would be all legal if I made a > port of the whole Sun's API to another platform or even implemented it > in another language? Nice... See the Gnu ClassPath. They are essentially doing what you are doing. Might want to ask them what legal issues they have considered before starting their project. http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/ - Oliver golem wrote on 13.02.2006 19:41: > Hi! > > Assume that I want to create my own implementation of an existing > interface, eg. java.lang.ArrayList. Will it be OK if I use the > interface > designed by Sun, ie. won't it be in violation with copyright law? ArrayList is *not* an interface. Thomas ArrayList *provides* an interface, similarily every (not necessarily public) class does. Don't think of an interface as a Java-exclusive term. Signaturegolem > ArrayList *provides* an interface, similarily every (not necessarily > public) class does. Don't think of an interface as a Java-exclusive > term. I think you need to be more specific about your question and what yoyu want to achieve for us to be able to help you. Questions that come to mind are: - are you just talking about creating a similar class or - are you reimplementing this class only or a larger part of the jdk > ArrayList *provides* an interface, similarily every (not necessarily > public) class does. The term API is commonly used for this, and avoids confusion. > Don't think of an interface as a Java-exclusive > term. Unfortunately a Java "interface" is a very specific part of the language spec. and is different from an API. Hence the confusion. SignatureNigel Wade, System Administrator, Space Plasma Physics Group, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK E-mail : nmw@ion.le.ac.uk Phone : +44 (0)116 2523548, Fax : +44 (0)116 2523555 > Assume that I want to create my own implementation of an existing > interface, eg. java.lang.ArrayList. Will it be OK if I use the > interface > designed by Sun, ie. won't it be in violation with copyright law? ArrayList is not an interface. It is a class which implements the List interface, among others. Signature======================================================================== Ian Pilcher i.pilcher@comcast.net ======================================================================== Hm.. to make it clear: "An interface defines the communication boundary between two entities, such as a piece of software, a hardware device, or a user. It generally refers to an abstraction that an entity provides of itself to the outside. (...)" (wikipedia) As you can see, the term is not strictly related with java or even with a programming language. Furthermore: "The Java programming language takes a *different* approach to the concept of the interface normally existing in other object-oriented programming languages (ie., that the interface specified is the interface to the class), in that an interface specifies a set of methods which implement some specific functionality, common to a set of classes. See protocol (object-oriented programming)." (wikipedia) In my post I have been talking about an interface in its wider sense. Hope this made the issue clear :) Signaturegolem > As you can see, the term is not strictly related with java or even with > a programming language. Furthermore: This, however, comp.lang.JAVA.programmer. Signature======================================================================== Ian Pilcher i.pilcher@comcast.net ======================================================================== Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. Simply choose a title, complete the application form and submit it. Read more ...
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