Re: Actually, Java only helps to accelerate server-side commoditization.
Technologies such as Java, XML, SOAP, and possibly now C# are inherently processor-neutral and are gaining increasing acceptance as the basis for net-aware application programming going forward. As a new generation of applications based on these technologies replaces the older generation of processor-specific applications there is less and less opportunity for chip vendors to benefit from architectural lock-in. This means that chip architecture (from an application perspective) becomes irrelevant since it is no longer visible at the application layer.
Bill,
You're right, but you missed the point of what I was saying.
There are only 2 players now that are making an attempt to provide a commodity 64-bit processor; Intel and AMD. Who's going to use AMD's? I'll believe that when I see it. Intel is a whole different story.
IA64 was concieved sometime in the early 90's and was originally planned for a release in summer of 1997. It's design was set in place long before the rise of Java or the Internet. It's based on an outdated EPIC architecture. Sun's MAJC architecture is heavily multithreaded which is good for Java and multiple users (Internet). Sure EPIC is fine if you're a scientist trying to model the weather, great, let the new compilers optimize your algorithm all day for that EPIC chip that's all yours, with no competing processes. But let's face it, how big is *that* market. Released on time, 3 years ago, it *might* have had a chance for a while, but as it stands, I expect it to be a major flop.
If Java performance can remain critical, IA64 will be at a severe disadvantage which will be very good for Sun. When Itanium is released later this year, look at the benchmarks for Java and multi-users. To equal the POWER4/Sparc, the Itanium will have to have a significant Mhz lead. In my opinion, Intanium will be stuck at the low end and anyone that thinks different doesn't know the facts or is living a pipe dream. Oh, did I mention it's going to be a b*tch to write software for IA64?
Chip |
