Universal Virtual Machines: Object Engines for Business & Engineering

The benefits of virtual machine programming are not new, but until recently they were a well kept secret of successful software engineers. Fortunately the migration of IT applications to Smalltalk and the Internet excitement of Java have drawn attention on this key software technology. Virtual machine technology enables portability of applications across different platforms. In 1995 OTI began a R&D initiative to build a next generation multiple language and coined the term Universal Virtual Machine and coined the term UVM. Universal virtual machines represent the next generation of VM technology. They not only enable applications to run on different platforms, but also enable application development in the language of choice. The OTI UVM is a core technology of the IBM VA family and provides IBM customers with technology which spans from mainframes to embedded systems. Recently MS has announced that they too are moving to UVMs as an approach to addressing their multiple language, multiple platform problems. Universal virtual machines are a step towards Object Utopia, an architectural vision for a future generation of computer systems. UVMs enable some novel approaches to challenging industrial and business applications by exploiting next generation hardware.

Dave Thomas is founder and CEO of Object Technology International, Inc. (OTI). He has over 30 years of experience in the computer industry as an architect, project manager and director. Dave holds an adjunct research professorship at Carleton University where he previously held the position of Director of Object-Oriented Research Group. During the last 13 years Dave has specialized in the design and implementation of object-oriented systems. Projects have included the successful development and implementation of systems for client-server, embedded systems, manufacturing, networking systems, electronic publishing, integrated circuit testing, defence and instrumentation. Dave is widely published in object-oriented literature. He has served on the program committees for the OOPSLA and ECOOP conferences for the past 9 years. Dave's speaking engagements include numerous keynotes at major industry conferences in addition to seminars and courses on software component technology. OTI is an advanced software technology company and a world leader in object-oriented technology. OTI has R&D labs in Ottawa, Victoria, Canada; Phoenix, Minneapolis and Raleigh, USA; London, UK; Sydney, Australia; Zurich, Switzerland and Nantes, France, and is a wholly-owned affiliate of IBM Canada Ltd. The company's primary business is joint product development and technology licensing. OTI's ENVYÆ portfolio of software components, tools, technology and processes enable OTI alliance partners to develop and deploy innovative tools and products. Over the last 10 years, OTI's products and technology have been key in the commercialization of the Smalltalk language.

ENVY is a registered trademark of Object Technology International Inc.

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