Groups > comp.lang.java.programmer > #2774

Re: Why Do We Have ...

From	Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@geek-central.gen.new_zealand>
Newsgroups	comp.lang.java.programmer
Subject	Re: Why Do We Have ...
Followup-To	comp.lang.java.programmer
Date	2011-04-03 10:41 +1200
Organization	Geek Central
Message-ID	<in88mg$1i2$2@lust.ihug.co.nz> (permalink)
References	<im6uee$nfu$1@lust.ihug.co.nz> <8uope3Ft9gU1@mid.individual.net> <rur8p6p65ve3sdvh15f5epq7fecktj81mm@4ax.com>

Followups directed to: comp.lang.java.programmer

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In message <rur8p6p65ve3sdvh15f5epq7fecktj81mm@4ax.com>, Roedy Green wrote:

> Android is a resource starved-environment compared with Java desktop.

In fact the typical current Android smartphone has enough RAM and CPU power 
to run a full-featured desktop OS. That’s not the limiting factor at all.

> Apps are small. You are constantly trying to shave bytes and CPU
> cycles at the expense of program readability.

I haven’t felt the need to go that far—yet.

> You have roughly 200 ms to respond or the user will perceive you as laggy.

That happens on the desktop as well.

> You have 5 seconds to respond before the OS says your app has died.

That kind of discipline is useful on the desktop as well.

> Your user is more impatient and you have fewer resources to satisfy him.
> You are doing everything you can to avoid draining the battery.

The battery can be a limiting factor, but the real issue is the user 
interface: you simply haven’t got room for a full-size screen, a full-size 
keyboard, or a full-size mouse. So you have to interact through narrower-
bandwidth channels.

> Since apps are smaller, there is more competition. If yours is not
> best of breed, you will be quickly be replaced. Since apps are free or
> cheap, users have no investment is sticking with what they first try.

Which puts the high-overhead corporate code-cutter approach at a severe 
disadvantage. :)

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Re: Why Do We Have ... Roedy Green <see_website@mindprod.com.invalid> - 2011-03-31 05:18 -0700
  Re: Why Do We Have ... Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@geek-central.gen.new_zealand> - 2011-04-03 10:41 +1200
  Re: Why Do We Have ... Dirk Bruere at NeoPax <dirk.bruere@gmail.com> - 2011-04-03 01:49 +0100

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