Shared libraries [LWN.net]

Shared libraries

Posted Nov 25, 2025 18:47 UTC (Tue) by Cyberax (✭ supporter ✭, #52523)
In reply to: Shared libraries by nim-nim
Parent article: APT Rust requirement raises questions

> Why should they ? The same developer-friendly argument was made for Java software, the same refusal to invest in a mechanism to share components and stabilise ABIs was advanced by Java developers

Whut?!? Java is one of the _best_ examples of stable API/ABI. I can launch software written for JVM 1.3 in 2001 on the most modern JVM, as long as it doesn't use stuff like "Unsafe". Even SWING and AWT are still available!

This absolutely helped with Java's popularity. Banks and enterprises _love_ not having to update the code every year.

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Shared libraries

Posted Dec 1, 2025 9:08 UTC (Mon) by nim-nim (subscriber, #34454) [Link]

Correction : the integrators that work for banks *love* a system where they are paid to reinvent the wheel for every deployment, and love the maze of custom component versions that prevent their customers from auditing deliverables and noticing when they have been sold a leaky obsolescent mess.

Of course the same lack of ABI convergence that make those languages perfect to resell a mess at inflated prices to banks, makes them totally inadequate for cooperative OS building, where inefficiencies are not an occasion to invoice more but a direct cost in volunteer efforts.