Frequently asked questions about programming languages for Java

What is Java?

Java is a general-purpose, concurrent, class-based, object-oriented programming language. Java is related to C and C++ but is organized rather differently, with a number of aspects of C and C++ omitted and a few ideas from other languages included. Java is strongly typed. Compilation normally consists of translating its programs into a machine-independent byte-code representation which are stored in class files. Run-time activities include loading and linking of the classes needed to execute a program, optional machine code generation and dynamic optimization of the program, and actual program execution. Java supports both standalone applications as well as so-called applets for web browsers. The Java Enterprise Edition also supports servlets which are useful for developing web services. Java offers a large degree of platform independency.

Why Pascal, Modula-2, Oberon-2 for Java?

The Pascal language family (Pascal, Modula-2, Oberon-2) has been available for programmers much longer than Java. Many programmers are more familiar with a Pascal-style notation, but don't know much about C/C++ or Java. On the other hand, Java offers features like platform independency, Internet support, and extensive class libraries. These should be made available for other programming languages, too. MHCCORP.COM has released Pascal, Modula-2 and Oberon-2 compilers for Java. They can generate either Java sources or Java byte code.

What is the Java Development Kit?

The Java SE Development Kit (JDK) is a basic set of software tools for developing Java software. It is available from Sun Microsystems, Inc.. This JDK includes among others a Java Interpreter, a Java compiler and a Java debugger. These software tools are needed or useful when using the compilers for Pascal, Modula-2 or Oberon-2 for Java which are offered on this website.

How do I use Pascal, Modula-2, Oberon-2 for Java?

Our compilers for Pascal language family are all implemented in Java and generate plain Java sources or Java byte code. All compilers are called like any other Java application. If the the compiler generates Java sources, this output can be translated into the final Java byte code, too, by using a regular Java-language compiler such as JAVAC from the JDK. For further information see the example of an Oberon-2 compilation.

What is Jikes?

Jikes is another Java byte code generator. It can translate Java source files, as produced by some of MHCCorp's compilers for Pascal, Modula-2 or Oberon-2, into the class files containing the Java byte code. Jikes is available from SourceForge (formerly maintained by IBM Alphaworks). It is fully compatible with the Java compiler tool JAVAC from the JDK of Sun Microsystems, Inc.. However, Jikes is much faster than JAVAC.

How do I debug Pascal, Modula-2, Oberon-2 programs for Java?

All programs compiled by MHCCorp's compilers for Pascal, Modula-2 or Oberon-2 fully support any Java debugger available. The Java Development Kit of Sun Microsystems, Inc., includes among others a Java Debugger utility. For further information see the Oberon-2 debugging sample.