[nylug-talk] Excesive memory usage by Java (ranty)

[sixtyfourbeets]

I think I've figured out the reason the Java based application I was
using was using so much memory
and locking up, freezing, and assorted other problems that arise with
using a Java based application.

The name of the company whose application I've been having a problem with
is www.thinkorswim.com, stock market data stuff.
The application itself is the best I've seen for the retail 'investor'
since working at
what was ILX Systems.  The performance of this application is an entirely
different story.
This particular application has two charting utilities, both from two different
vendors.  Naturally both vendors use two different versions of Java, one
of them uses 1.5 the other uses 1.6.  The software itself is written
for Java 1.5.

To make matters worse, the charting calculations are also written in
Java all of this
is naturally done for 'cross platform compatibility'.

My complaints to the vendor have been answered with a few responses, all
previously rehearsed not from a Customer Service standpoint but a
developers standpoint.
Here is a list in order of how ludicrious I think the response is,
from most to least.
1) Swtich to OSX, it works with Java better than windows, especially
vista (or xp, I dont rememer which one they said).
This is after I had made it abundantly clear, or so I thought, that I am
running Linux, the precursor to this variant of an Apple OS.
2) Youre using Java 1.6 switch to Java 1.5.
The vendor suggests using 1.5 and the other charting utility is written in
Java 1.6.
2b) Dont use the other charting utility that runs Java 1.6.
Using the one that runs on 1.5 doesnt solve a thing.
3) Youre using Linux, we dont support Linux.
To which I responded that their response if full of baloney because
the whole idea of Java is presumably cross platform compatibilty.
I also told them that they should concern themselves with writing
good code and not be so concerned about what kind of OS the customer is using.
4) Try changing the memory settings.
Did that countless times.
5) Delete so and so folder.
That too.
6) Reinstall the software.
That too.
7) Reinstall Java.
That too.
8) You should update to Java 1.5.x+ and not 1.5.x-.
Did that, solved nothing.

I dont think I have to say that asking Java to calculate charting
software in close to 'real time'
is far too much to ask of it.  But it makes me feel better saying so.

Right now I am so angry at this software vendor, their developers for
having their heads up their
butts, their general finger-pointing attitude (back at the customer)
and at Java.

I started to unjar the .jar's that come with this software and want to
deconstruct this thing so
I can write my own application (or something close to an application)
in Perl or C.
There are a few GPL libraries out there that I can use for calculating
the charts.
I'm not a Java programmer and have no interest in becoming one, but
breaking this thing
into smitherens so I can reconstruct something that suits my needs
would be fantastic.

I can get a general idea of the 'entry points' for these 'classes'
files using jcf-dump.
There is also a token that I would have to export for logging in, that
process is encrypted.

Can anyone offer any online resources or some basics to keep in mind?

Thank you,
Steve M