Sun looks to optimise Java processing

Sun Microsystems has unveiled the Maxwell project to improve the handling of objects in systems.

Maxwell aims, among other things, to make programs run faster when microprocessors are handling Java objects.

An object-aware memory in the architecture is the key target for Maxwell, said Sun, with the improved performance of Java-based systems a priority.

With Maxwell, Sun is trying to address the problem of the imbalance in performance between microprocessors and system memory management. While processors get faster, systems do not currently tweak what exact memory is needed to match the processing speeds. This means that processing resources in the system are wasted.

Sun is aiming the eventual fruits of Maxwell at servers, where on-board Maxwell technology-loaded processors could be provided to improve object management.

The company’s Sparc processors could benefit from the technology, along with others from third parties.

Azul Systems currently offers Java optimisation using specially designed hardware platforms.