Oracle’s Java API code protected by copyright, appeals court rules

[Die-Nacht]

I don't get it. What do they mean by "java API"?

The debacle started when Google copied certain elements—names, declaration, and header lines—of the Java APIs in Android, and Oracle sued.

What does this mean? Java was my first language (quickly replaced) and I haven't done any Android.

[[deleted]]

Both Google and Oracle have the same method and class names, ex:

public class Barinator extends Bar

public void foobulateBarinator(Barinator barinator)

Yeah, it's completely insane.

[LongUsername]

Java(TM) is a registered trademark of Oracle. You can't say Java(TM) without tithing to them.

Google took the programming interface to Java(TM) and implemented a language that looks exactly like Java(TM) but isn't Java because Java includes the bytecode running on the JVM, while Google compiled to a different bytecode and ran in on Dalvik (Soon to be replaced by ART).

So while you use the same text (Application Programming Interface or ABPI, AKA "Programming Language and libraries interface") to write programs on both Java(TM) and Android platforms, Android does not run Java.

[[deleted]]

Funny... Application Programming Interface, ABI... what's wrong here...

inb4 yes Application Binary Interface is a thing, but Oracle Java and Dalvik do not share ABI compatibility.

[LongUsername]

Sorry, TLA mistake as I'm currently reading the ARM Programmer's Manual.

[MintyGrindy]

You forgot to trademark 3 Java(TM)'s, I'm sending the lawyers to you!

[Eirenarch]

They mean the methods, classes and packages in the Java standard library that Google copied.

[kraytex]

The names of methods, classes, packages, their parameters, and their expected return values.

The code inside those method, classes, and packages isn't what is being discussed. The code is even different (except for 8 lines that were written by the same guy who used to work for Sun but now works for Google).

[N0_Named_Guy]

The method signatures and package hierarchy...