> I am hoping you would consider commenting either to me or via your PR channels what are the future plans for the Java programming language and platform on OS X?
That would be a question for Oracle at this point. I think Apple just let us know what their plans are for Java.
This makes me wonder if Apple has a redistributable license for Java that allows them to build the Java binaries with OS X, or if Sun was the one that built the binaries that have been included in OS X install discs, but allowed them to be shipped out under Apple's control. I can't find any Java code on opensource.apple.com, so I'm assuming the latter.
My personal opinion on the issue is one where Apple and/or Oracle decided that Oracle should control the release schedule of their own software, just like they do with every other platform. I really don't understand why this is such a big deal. Apple decided to not do something completely different and adopted a "normal" behavior and everyone freaks out, just like they do when Apple does something different.
That would be a question for Oracle at this point. I think Apple just let us know what their plans are for Java.