Stories by Paul Krill

The rise of Node.js: JavaScript graduates to the server

Although it is just three years old, Node.js is gaining traction as an application development platform, letting developers extend JavaScript beyond the browser and into servers. But questions remain about JavaScript's appropriateness on servers and developers' readiness to use it.

Java tops C in language popularity assessment -- but not by much

Java is barely hanging on to its ranking as the most popular programming language, edging out C in this month's Tiobe index of programming language popularity.

Google finally scans malware-ridden Android Market

In an effort to improve security in its Android Market, Google has been using a service providing automated scanning of applications submitted to the mobile application store, Google revealed on Thursday afternoon.

Java roadmap: Oracle's two-year plan

The company is planning aggressive moves for the critical software platform in the next few years. Here's a rundown.

Google helps translate JavaScript to its Dart alternative

Promoting its own alternative language to JavaScript, Google is working to bridge JavaScript to Google Dart, with the release Monday of a mapping application that the company is calling its JavaScript to Dart Synonym app.

What JavaScript's inventor really thinks about Google Dart

Google's Dart language, which attempts to address JavaScript's supposed weaknesses, is getting a mixed reaction from the inventor of JavaScript itself, Brendan Eich.

Node.js inventor extends JavaScript programming beyond browsers

The open source project Node.js was invented by Joyent software engineer Ryan Dahl three years ago next month. It essentially allows JavaScript to be used outside of a browser. Node leverages Google's V8 JavaScript virtual machine to interpret JavaScript, and it uses an event-driven non-blocking I/O model that cloud services vendor Joyent -- a principal Node advocate -- says makes it ideal for data-intensive and real-time applications running across distributed devices. It is also championed by companies such as Microsoft and Mozilla.

Google looks to speed up the Internet

Google technicians want an overhaul of the Web's TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) transport layer and are suggesting ways to reduce latency and make the Web faster.

jQ.Mobi JavaScript framework boasts faster mobile apps

JQ.Mobi, an HTML5-optimized rewriting of the JQuery JavaScript library, is available in a beta version as of this week for Android and Apple iOS software developers, with proponents citing dramatic speed improvements and size reduction.

BYOD movement is forcing IT to adapt

IT departments in the age of mobile computing must adapt to newly empowered users who select not only their own devices but their applications as well. This adapation -- as difficult as it may seem -- has a strong benefit: Enabling a modern workforce, said Maribel Lopez, president of Lopez Research at the AppNation conference last week in San Francisco.

Canonical CEO: Ubuntu tablet OS will battle Android, iOS

Jane Silber is on a mission to get the Ubuntu Linux distribution onto mobile devices and TVs, rather than be stuck on desktop PCs. The CEO of Canonical (which makes Ubuntu) took over from the previous CEO, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth, in March 2010, but has been with the company since shortly after its 2004 founding. Right after New Year's Day, she paid a visit to InfoWorld offices in San Francisco to talk with InfoWorld Editor at Large Paul Krill about Canonical's ambitions in the mobile market as well as reflect on Canonical's successes and what separates it from rivals.

Pyxis Mobile becomes Verivo Software, broadens its scope

Pyxis Mobile is changing its name to Verivo Software in an effort to reflect the company's evolving mission in the mobile computing space.

Oracle's latest Java moves frustrate users and vendors

Oracle, which officially took on the big job of shepherding Java two years ago this month, is traveling bumpy roads lately, with its modularization and licensing plans for Java raising eyebrows and security concerns coming to the fore as well.

Apple iOS strength prompted Objective-C language growth in 2011

Demonstrating continued momentum for Apple's iOS platform for mobile devices, the Objective-C language used to develop applications for iOS showed the most growth in popularity in 2011 as a programming language, according to monthly assessment of languages.

Mobile app developers to get their own professional organization

Mobile application developers are set to gain an industry association that would promote their interests, enabling collaboration and product testing while offering education, cloud hosting, and governmental lobbying on their behalf.