Oracle announced a series of summer programs and activities for Java developers and aspiring developers around the world to “Make the Future Java.”
These programs will enable developers to share their enthusiasm for Java, increase their technical capabilities, network with other community members and possibly be recognized for exemplary uses of Java, Oracle officials said. More than 100 events are scheduled in 47 countries around the world over the summer.
Oracle started off the activities last month on June 12 when Oracle and the Java Community Process (JCP) members announced the availability of Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 7 (Java EE 7) and the Java EE 7 Software Development Kit (SDK). A video of the Java EE 7 launch is available here.
As part of the launch, Oracle is providing Make the Future Java EE 7 Tool Kits, which contain technical content and promotional items, to enable Java User Group (JUG) leaders to host engaging, inspiring and educational events for their community members.
“Oracle is committed to not only driving Java platform enhancements and technical innovations through collaboration with the Java community but also providing developers with the tools and resources they need to implement the latest releases,” said Cameron Purdy, vice president of development at Oracle, in a statement. “With the Java EE 7 technical kits, we can reach thousands of developers though their local JUGs and with our Summer Workshop, we hope to inspire students’ love of technology and computer science, and spark the next generation of Java innovation.”
Java EE 7 allows customers to deliver support for HTML5, further increase developer productivity and meet demanding enterprise requirements. In addition to the technical kits, new entertainment videos were created to support the JUG events: License to Code, a triumph of Java over evil, and Java: Better Than Ever, celebrating Java and Java EE 7 attributes.
Meanwhile, the Make the Future Java Global Celebration hub provides a forum for Java community members to promote their Java EE 7 events and engage with the worldwide community by sharing videos, contributing blog content, tweets using #javaee7 and Facebook photos.
“JUG Afrika is an umbrella group for JUGs in Africa with approximately 5,000 members in over 20 countries,” said Lamine Ba, general manager of JUG Afrika. “It is difficult for our members and other Java developers across Africa to attend conferences and events outside their country or local region. We find it extremely helpful that Oracle provides online events and webcasts, as well as resources for us to host local events, so our community members can come together to learn about the new features in Java EE 7, as well as socialize and exchange ideas with each other. We currently have 13 events planned over the next few months as part of the Make the Future Java program.”
For its part, the new Make the Future Java Summer Workshop targets 13 to 18 year olds with an interest in Java programming. Oracle Academy staff members, with support from Carnegie Mellon computer science professors, will help participants learn the Java programming language, using the Alice visual 3-D educational tool. Oracle Academy will host a three-day, in-person event July 30-Aug. 1 in Redwood Shores, Calif.
Students can also visit the Make the Future Java online learning resource center for Alice, Greenfoot and BlueJ educational tools and tutorials to help them learn the Java programming language. Also available are tutorials and training modules to advance their JavaFX, NetBeans Integrated Development Environment (IDE), Java SE and Java EE skills.
In related news, JavaOne Shanghai will take place July 22-25 and will be a hub for Make the Future Java activity in China. Well-known Chinese developers Anissa Lam and ShingWai Chan will travel to China to speak at Oracle’s annual user group meeting and various JUG events outside of Shanghai.
Meanwhile, registration is now open for JavaOne San Francisco 2013, which will take place Sept. 22-26 at the Zone–the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Hotel Nikko, Parc 55 Wyndham and the Taylor Street Cafe. Attendees who register for JavaOne 2013 by July 19 can save $400 through the early bird discount.
Nominations are also open for the 11th annual Duke’s Choice Award program. The deadline is July 22. The Duke’s Choice Awards celebrate innovation in the world of Java technology and innovation is the primary judging criteria for the award, putting small developer shops on an equal footing with multinational giants. The 10 most innovative submissions will be showcased at JavaOne San Francisco 2013.