Okay. You must realize it is weird to use the term “development team” to describe a one person side project. Also, are you willing to disclose to what extent and which models were used to create this project?
JPlus is an open-source project. Anyone can review the implementation details on GitHub: https://github.com/nieuwmijnleven/JPlus
t’s true that JPlus holds a similar position to TypeScript. However, it is a programming language. Here’s a definition quoted from the main page of the TypeScript website -> “TypeScript is a strongly typed programming language that builds on JavaScript, giving you better tooling at any scale.”
Similarly,
JPlus is a Java superset programming language — fully compatible with Java, offering modern language features like null safety, boilerplate code generation, and other enhancements to reduce developer burden and maximize productivity.
The C Preprocessor also does all of those things. That’s expected of a preprocessor. If you say “you can write java code with a bit of extra sugar and JPlus turns it back into ‘regular’ java,” then that’s a preprocessor.
A simple preprocessor only performs code transformation and cannot analyze the meaning of the code or ensure type safety. However, JPlus goes beyond mere transformation by providing static analysis capabilities, such as generating a parse tree and checking nullability. It also includes functionality to automatically generate necessary Java code through the apply syntax. As a result, the combination of performing nullability static analysis and generating code via apply cannot be expressed or handled using any existing Java syntax alone.
JPlus follows standard Java syntax while aiming to be an “Upgraded Java” by adding features that Java developers consider practically useful in real-world projects. This allows existing Java developers to utilize new features with minimal learning curve. All features are added on top of Java syntax. For example, null-safety syntax (type?, ?.) and boilerplate code generation syntax (apply). As a result, developers can experience an enhanced version of Java while continuing to use existing Java code and libraries without modification. This should clarify exactly where JPlus fits in the ecosystem.
You can probably adopt both for a large existing project. Old files get compiled with JPlus, new files will be written in Kotlin. Old files can also gradually be ported to kotlin.
Exactly, that could work. You can keep the existing files as they are and compile them with JPlus, while writing new modules in Kotlin to adopt it gradually. JPlus can serve as a stepping stone before moving fully to Kotlin. However, converting all Java code in an existing project to Kotlin would not only carry significant risks but also be costly. With JPlus, you can fully leverage the proven existing Java codes.
Groovy doesn’t have null safety or boilerplate code generation features. That’s why JPlus was created to address what Java developers truly feel is missing. Go post that comment in the Groovy community.
As the title suggests, this page is an introduction to the project, while the other posts focus on how to use it.
AFAIK Kotlin and Java code can co-exist as source level. Never tried it though. I guess it depends on the end case scenario what to use.
JPlus retains almost all of Java’s syntax while providing conveniences like null checks, allowing Java developers to use it immediately without additional learning. In contrast, Kotlin can utilize Java classes but requires learning Kotlin syntax and its libraries, and it cannot use Java syntax directly or automatically guarantee null safety. Therefore, JPlus offers a distinct advantage over Kotlin.
Things can get confusing if the explanation is too long, so here’s a concise way to put it.
It’s not entirely clear whether Groovy includes 100% of Java syntax, but in my view, Groovy focuses on enhancing the language itself, addressing areas where it falls short compared to modern languages.
On the other hand, JPlus is similar to how TypeScript addresses JavaScript’s lack of type safety: it focuses on strengthening Java’s safety while improving developer convenience through features like boilerplate code generation. Importantly, JPlus code always compiles down to standard Java, which means it can be integrated seamlessly into existing Java projects without changing the build environment or toolchain.
In short:
Groovy: Focuses on enhancing the expressive power of Java, adding modern language features and syntactic flexibility.
JPlus: Focuses on enhancing language safety and developer convenience, while maintaining full compatibility with Java. This allows developers to adopt JPlus without worrying about breaking existing Java projects.
Kotlin is great for null-safety, but Kotlin isn’t a superset, you can’t just compile a java file with kotlin and have it work.
JPlus allows you to enforce null-safety without rewriting your existing Java code, which can be easier for teams working in legacy projects or who prefer staying in pure Java.
Kotlin isn’t a superset, you can’t just compile a java file with kotlin and have it work afaik. That seems to be the point here.
This is more like a preprocessor anyway, like SASS to CSS. The compiler spits out Java source code, not jvm bytecode.
Exactly, as you said, Kotlin isn’t a Java superset. you can’t just compile a Java file with Kotlin and have it work. JPlus works similarly in that it outputs standard Java source code rather than JVM bytecode.
However, JPlus is not merely a “preprocessor.” It actually parses Java source like a compiler, performs null-safety checks and boilerplate code generation on the generated parse tree, and finally produces standard Java code. In that sense, JPlus should be considered a compiler. The only difference is that its output is Java code; if the code generation step were extended to produce JVM bytecode directly, it could bypass the Java source entirely and generate bytecode straightaway.
The key point is that, just like TypeScript addresses JavaScript’s lack of type safety, JPlus fills in some of Java’s gaps. It allows you to keep almost all of your existing Java code while adding features like null-safety and automatic boilerplate generation, improving both safety and developer convenience.
I survive each day with just a bag of potato chips. Now, I’m reaching a point where even that is no longer possible. But rather than begging, I believe it’s right to offer my skills, bring value to others, and earn rewards in return. In the midst of a very difficult time, I came up with the idea for JPlus, and I’m deeply grateful for that. Without this project, I would have been in a much more troubled mental state. Through this project, I continue to dream of a hopeful future.