Disclaimer Java
Starting with the next version of Android, Google Inc. refuses to use Java libraries and the library will move to a fully open source project OpenJDK, VentureBeat reports citing the representative of the company.
At Google hopes that developers will be happy to take this step, as it will lead to a simplification of the code they develop applications for Android. However, if the cause is the only one to do this step the company could even many years ago, highlights VentureBeat.
Why Java on Android
The Java language is used Android application development – it is written their code. This code is then executed in the Dalvik virtual machine, or starting with Android 5.0 Lollipop, – in a more productive environment, ART. In order to run applications that have been written in Java, the operating system needs the appropriate libraries.
What libraries used Google
So far, Google to use Java libraries taken from the project Harmony. Harmony project was founded by the Apache Software Foundation in 2005 and is an alternative free implementation of Java. Work on the project was discontinued in 2011 after the community for several years failed to reach an agreement with Sun Microsystems on the free provision of components for compatibility Harmony with Java.
Google goes on in the OpenJDK Android
The lawsuit by Oracle
In 2010, Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems – developer and copyright owner of Java – and immediately filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing it of illegally using patented components of the platform. Given the popularity of Android-devices Oracle requested from Google billions of dollars in compensation. Although the amount was later reduced by several times.
Position Google
Google Inc. believes that the claims brought against Oracle untenable. The Java language is open (it did open another Sun Microsystems), and Google claims that the fragments which they used are not covered by patents Oracle and subject to free distribution. Android also is an open platform, so Google, according to her lawyers, in full compliance with legislation in this area.
Results litigation
In 2012, the Court took the side of Google, but in 2014 decided in favor of the search giant was partially canceled. In June 2015 the US Supreme Court has refused to hold a hearing on the case and sent it to the lower court. If the final decision is made in favor of Oracle, Google’s will have to pay compensation based on the number of items sold in the world of Android-devices. According to observers, the event will have a historical significance for the software industry.