Arrays 2.0 - Opportunities and Challenges

Explore the future of Java arrays in this 51-minute conference talk by John Rose. Delve into the opportunities and challenges surrounding Arrays 2.0, examining why arrays are essential yet problematic for users and JVM implementors. Learn about desired features including multi-dimensional arrays, large array support, resizing capabilities, improved notation, custom layouts, and hybrid arrays. Discover potential library-defined types, operator overloading, and type templating solutions. Investigate JSR 292 power tools and compelling use cases for Arrays 2.0, gaining insights into the evolution of this fundamental data structure in Java programming.

Syllabus

Intro
Why we can't live without arrays
Why arrays bother users
Why arrays bother JVM implementors
What Java coders say they want... (2)
rank: what the JVM should provide
bigness: what the JVM should provide
resize: what the JVM should provide
notation: what the JVM should provide
layout: what the JVM should provide
hybrid arrays in the VM
sharing: what the JVM should provide
flatness: what the JVM should provide
What library types can define...
More about operator overloading
Hard problem: Type templating (2)
Power tools: JSR 292
Killer Use Cases for Arrays 2.0