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

[Rodrick Brown]

ThinkorSwim software works flawlessly Its your setup. Get more memory or
stop using that 3rd party charting software.

On Jan 22, 2008 11:26 AM, sixtyfourbeets <sixtyfourbeets at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> Hire expert Linux talent by posting jobs here :: http://jobs.nylug.org
> The nylug-talk mailing list is at nylug-talk at nylug.org
> The list archive is at http://nylug.org/pipermail/nylug-talk
> To subscribe or unsubscribe: http://nylug.org/mailman/listinfo/nylug-talk
>



-- 
Rodrick R. Brown
http://www.rodrickbrown.com