Re: Why isn't Java support part of Postgresql core?

On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 9:42 PM, cowwoc <cowwoc@bbs.darktech.org> wrote:

Tom,

For starters, let's talk strictly about improving the deployment situation, which the core team *is* uniquely positioned to do.

The pl/java author(s) should figure out what needs to be done but once that's known we need to do *something* in core so the deployment process is reduced to 1-2 steps max (CREATE EXTENSION pljava, and add Java to Postgresql's library path).

But what the core team has done is provide a pretty stable interface for getting to that point.  The extension interface is well documented and quite stable IME.  If the pl/java project can't get it to a point where you can make && make install, then I don't see what would possibly benefit from getting into core.

Bare with me for a moment while I walk you through the Windows (for dummies) experience I had in mind.

If you take a look at the Windows installation, it ships with lib/hstore.dll which enables users to invoke "make extension hstore" (no need to build anything). I'm talking about doing the same thing for pljava. I suggest adding an optional feature in the Windows installer (I believe it's called Application Stack Builder) for pljava. When enabled, it would unpack lib/pljava.dll and a private JRE (so users don't have to mess around with library paths). Users can then enable the extension with a simple invocation of "CREATE EXTENSION pljava".

It doesn't get easier than this. And of course you'd do the equivalent thing for *nix (investigate how it works for hstore and provide an equivalent experience for pljava).

Gili