Java, as hot as its coffee

Nowadays, java is progressively recognized especially in the cell phone universe. Java for cell phone also be called J2ME (Java 2 Platform Micro Edition). This is a mini version of Java for desktop which is known as J2SE (Java 2 Platform Standard Edition). But did you know the origin of its name?

A little flashback in 1990, previously, Java is an internal project of Sun Microsystems Inc., in Santa Clara California, America. Project that idea came from Patrick Naughton was named Stealth Project, and change its name became Green Project right after James Gosling and Mike Sheridan join up. Assisted by some experts, the project started in a little office in Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California. They try to create a new wave in technology, relying on C++ programming language. As a matter of fact, one of team member found many weaknesses from that. Then he asked to make a new programming language, combining MESA and C language.

After a long night of choosing the well-matched name, they found name Oak. That idea was come out after one peep outside the window, and there was an oak tree. Forth, they use it to stay on their project. Later on 1992, team succeeded to demonstrate new platform consists of Green Operating System, Oak Programming Language, libraries, and a part of hardware. Their first experiment focused on creating a peripheral such as PDA, that can perform graphic image, and then they call it Star7. It succeeds to be tested in September 1992. Two months later, Green Project fully owned by FirstPerson Inc., a corporation under Sun Microsystems.

In the middle of 1994, team was challenged to entering the internet. At that time, there was a new fresh browser called Mosaic. Patrick Naughton then produced a little browser prototype named WebRunner. In the same year, they were meaning to patent Oak. Unfortunately, it has been used for other programming languge. So they had to change its name.

Finally, the new name appeared. One day, some members of the team were touring out of town. They halted at such a coffee shop. When they were enjoying a cup of hot coffee, then the word Java emerge accidentally. Gosling and friends agreed on his idea, and then they use it for their programming language and platform name. And WebRunner also change into HotJava.