Java-to-iPhone conversion software enters beta
updated 09:20 am EDT, Wed April 9, 2008
alcheMo for iPhone
New Zealand's Innaworks has introduced the first limited beta of alcheMo for iPhone, a conversion tool for developers. The software is mainly intended for mobile game developers, who typically write their games in Java code; because the native iPhone platform uses Objective C however, developing for it can be unusually complicated. alcheMo is theoretically able to convert J2ME code for the iPhone instantly, without any need for manual adjustments.
Converted code is said to in fact take advantage of native hardware functions, including touch controls and the accelerometer. The new alcheMo beta is currently a private one, and requires developers to contact Innaworks directly to arrange for software. No final release date has been announced.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
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As Java is very easy to learn, there are a lot of people out there writing in it, but very, very few can write Java well. Opera web browser: impressive Java. Version Manager revision control system: unimpressive Java.
Given that you'll probably be starting off with a dodgy code-base, then pumping it through an arbitrary conversion, how well is that likely to turn out?
My wariness could be ill-founded: maybe alcheMo will strip out sloppy Java code and create lean, optimised, elegant Objective-C. Not GIGO.