Once a promising idea, the project aimed at connecting Java and JavaScript has experienced a resurgence. Originally designed to make Java applications more flexible by allowing JavaScript to run as an extension language, the project lost momentum around 2018. Now, developers are exploring ways to bring it back, this time adding support for Python as well.

Back from the Dead: The Java-JavaScript-Python Connection

The original Detroit project sought to create a seamless bridge between Java and JavaScript. It involved developing a native implementation of the javax.script package based on the Chrome V8 engine, which is widely used in browsers like Chrome. The goal was to let Java applications run JavaScript code easily and even access JavaScript libraries directly from Java.

Recently, there has been renewed interest in reviving this effort. A new proposal surfaced on the OpenJDK mailing list on February 25, showing that the community is eager to push the project forward. Sundararajan Athijegannathan, a key participant, has volunteered to lead the effort. The new plan includes integrating a Python engine based on CPython, the most popular Python implementation.

Expanding Capabilities and Future Plans

The idea is to use well-established JavaScript and Python engines, instead of building new ones from scratch. This approach reduces long-term maintenance costs and ensures compatibility with existing codebases. Athijegannathan mentioned that the project aims to allow Java applications to access Python scripts and libraries easily, opening up new possibilities for AI and data processing tasks.

He also noted that the team plans to leverage the Foreign Function & Memory API (FFM API), which is part of a larger effort called Project Panama. This API aims to improve how the Java Virtual Machine interacts with non-Java code, making it easier to connect Java with other languages and libraries. The revival could influence future developments in this area, potentially leading to support for additional scripting languages.

Participants hope to formalize these prototypes into an official OpenJDK project. A vote on the proposal from current OpenJDK members will take place by March 11. If successful, this effort could significantly expand Java’s interoperability options, making it easier for developers to use multiple languages within their Java applications.

Overall, the renewed interest in linking Java with JavaScript and Python signals a move toward more flexible and powerful development tools. As the project progresses, it could open new doors for integrating AI, web technologies, and native libraries into Java-based systems, offering a fresh boost to an idea that once seemed abandoned.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4137631/abandoned-project-linking-java-javascript-makes-a-comeback.html

Sources

• openjdk.org
• openjdk.org
• openjdk.org
• v8.dev
• openjdk.org