the Da Vinci Machine Project

a multi-language renaissance
for the Java™ Virtual Machine architecture

Language implementors, save the date:
The JVM Language Summit is September 24-26, 2008!

At CommunityOne or JavaOne this week?
Come talk language and JVM implementation with us.
We will meet Monday 3-5:00 and Friday 2-4:00, in the JCP EG room.
(Intercontinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street, Fremont Room).

 virtual flying machine

Mission

We are extending the JVM with first-class architectural support for languages other than Java, especially dynamic languages. This project will prototype a number of extensions to the JVM, so that it can run non-Java languages efficiently, with a performance level comparable to that of Java itself.

Our emphasis is on completing the existing bytecode and execution architecture with general purpose extensions, as opposed to a new feature for just one language, or adjoining an unrelated new execution model.

We want the new languages to co-exist gracefully with Java in the JVM, and to benefit (like Java) from its powerful and mature technologies.

We are looking to remove “pain points” already observed by implementors of successful or influential languages, as opposed to attempting more speculative work on unproven features or niche languages.

Major sub-projects include dynamic invocation and extensions to class loading.  There is a large number of more speculative, lower-priority sub-projects. These are included in hopes that someone in the community will become excited with us at the prospects of a more dynamic JVM, to the point of sharing in its creation.

Community






Extra! Recently rediscovered diagrams prove Leonardo invented the first JVM:
lost VM invention diagram