CodeMesh's tool helps experienced C++ developers create Java code for large integration projects. And it's SOA-friendly, too.

CodeMesh, Inc. of Carlisle, Massachusetts, has released version 2.2 of JunC++ion. JunC++ion is an "in process" bridge for integrating programming languages — in this case, Java to C++. According to the company, JunC++ion lets developers create integration solutions consisting of multiple proxy modules, rather than individual proxy classes, shortening development time. CodeMesh claims customers can publish C++ versions of Java products within hours, and bypass the security concerns generated by Web services. The technology is also said to be SOA (service-oriented architecture)-friendly.

CodeMesh claims there is no need for interface languages, middleware, or porting. As CodeMesh President Alex Krapf explains, people have problems with integration. As their integration problems grow, they keep adding to the integration solution. "Pretty soon it becomes unmanageable and fragile, whereas, with the generated code from Junction, they simply regenerate the integration code; and all the changes that they made are incorporated automatically," says Krapf. "So, most of the customers we have right now are very large organizations or small organizations with very large integration problems."

"Typically, when you ask somebody not familiar with language integration, you find them thinking about CORBA or Web Services," Krapf continues. For example, Web Services requires the Web Service Stack and some additional utilities; CORBA developers typically need the CORBA stack and a naming service, as well as a Java- and a C++ CORBA implementation. Says Krapf, "All you need for a JunC++ion-based integration solution is your original Java code, the generated C++ code, and the JunC++ion runtime. What the developer deals with is very simple to use, but what's under the hood is very complex."

JunC++tion wraps Java classes in C++ types that are very familiar to developers who know the Java code, the company claims. Krapf gives an example: You have a Java program, and you're publishing a Java API. Your boss says he wants a C++ version. Using JunC++ion, you import the Java API, then generate C++ code. The first one you do, says Krapf, takes two or three hours. "After that, you'll be almost as quick as you would in writing the Java application that uses the Java API. It's that similar," he claims.

According to CodeMesh, JunC++ion uses in-process integration through the JNI (Java Native Interface). The Java part of that application will be within the same process as the C++ part. "That gives you very good performance, when you compare it to the same performance of other integration solutions. There is a difference of one or two orders of magnitude," say Krapf.

"On top of solving this integration problem, in a very specific use case, we take great care to do it portably," Krapf said. "If you've programmed in Java, you've probably forgotten how unportable C++ code can be. Junction generates code that can be compiled by most C++ compilers on most platforms."

JunC++ion itself can run on more platforms with Version 2.2. Originally available on Windows, Solaris, and Linux, JunC++ion 2.2 adds support for Mac OS X and IRIX 6.5 or later, and support for HP/UX and AIX is planned, according to CodeMesh. Other improvements include enhancements to the code generator interface.

Andrew Binstock, Principal Analyst at Pacific Data Works, LLC, a firm specializing in technology white papers, commented on JunC++ion, "The automated generation of glue code between C++ and Java is clearly an elegant solution to an otherwise tedious process. Bringing this capability in Junction to the Macintosh platform helps make enterprises more comfortable that they can use the product without worrying about the client systems. CodeMesh now delivers Junction to all major desktops in use today."

Know The Tool

Krapf emphasizes that JunC++ion is a bridge between Java and C++ for developers who understand C++, not a magical translation tool for people know nothing about the programming language. The company's FAQ explains how JunC++ion can be used productively in these three examples:

• Publish a Java API to C++
• Use a Java API in a C++ application
• Integrate a C++ client into an enterprise Java environment

CodeMesh has a similar product, JuggerNET, for Java to .NET integration. Pricing for JunC++ion starts at $2,000.

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