James Gosling: Java, JVM, Emacs, and the Early Days of Computing | Lex Fridman Podcast #126

James Gosling is the founder and lead designer of the Java programming language. Please check out our sponsors to get a discount and to support this podcast:

EPISODE LINKS:

PODCAST INFO:

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
4:45 - Irrational numbers
8:04 - Math and programming
10:36 - Coding style
14:41 - First computer
23:54 - Lisp
27:22 - Write an Emacs implementation in C
35:15 - Early days of the Internet
45:57 - Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos
56:13 - Work hard and smart
58:48 - Open source
1:10:25 - Java
1:28:31 - Java virtual machine
1:44:05 - Android
1:47:04 - Advice

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[lexfridman]

I really enjoyed this conversation with James. Here's the outline:
0:00 - Introduction
4:45 - Irrational numbers
8:04 - Math and programming
10:36 - Coding style
14:41 - First computer
23:54 - Lisp
27:22 - Write an Emacs implementation in C
35:15 - Early days of the Internet
45:57 - Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos
56:13 - Work hard and smart
58:48 - Open source
1:10:25 - Java
1:28:31 - Java virtual machine
1:44:05 - Android
1:47:04 - Advice

[temprd]

These language creators are arguably the cornerstones of our modern society, absolutely wonderful podcast.

[dimaxjr]

This man gave me a carrear as programmer. Thank you Mr. Gosling, you changed my life and the world.

[binxuwang]

I mean these interviews with the veterans from the early days of computer will become the oral history for programming for real . Good job!

[nutsbutdum]

I like these Programming Language Creators series.

[kardredren]

"It's OK to do stupid things once", great advice from a great man.

[tobylifers]

Mr Gossling's voice is so confident and calming. I could listen to it all day!

[InfiniteDesign]

"While some folks took drugs to expand their minds, I took concurrent programming." - Lex Fridman, 2020

[TarlanT]

Gosling is one of the true Rock Stars of Computer Science, along with Knuth, Thompson, Ritchie and others.

[SankalpJain-vhwn]

Lex is doing a pretty good job with these podcasts, some1 like myself in India has direct access to interesting and professional conversations between 2 proven intellectuals

[vforsh]

Finally someone who matches Lex’s energy

[soyitiel]

18:00 that's actually what drove me to programming as a kid, I was amazed at how I could potentially build anything at the living room pc

[thanosbaba]

Thankyou for pointing out dangling pointers in C and C++. Thanks for Java which made production level code easier...

[jsprowse]

Lex, great conversation with a Canadian kid who done good in the big city. I taught Java in Calgary years ago and the students were always amazed and inspired that somebody from their hometown created the software underlying so many of the systems they used everyday. Thoroughly enjoyed the backstory and insights.

[nazgulizm]

Such an awesome guy to listen to. I hope he comes on for another interview session.

[ChrisSeltzer]

James' description of transforming code into a picture of a machine resonates with me, that's exactly how I see code as well.

[barryyoung]

That was a great interview !! Disclosure - I am an ex Sun Employee . So proud to be associated with a company that spawned so many visionaries that shaped the last 20 years.... James Gosling, Andy Bechtolsheim, Bill Joy, Eric Schmidt to name but a few

[Beelzebubba]

I love these podcasts, I’m sort of new to the idea but it amazes me how much we did just for fun, I think that’s what’s kind of missing from the new tech companies compared to 30 plus years ago. The thing for me was just having fun and learning all anew is so much fun too. Thank you both for your time and effort in educating and just having fun in an informative way!

[RiczWest]

What an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT interview! Probably the best you've done and the best I've seen with Gosling - it's clear you guys clicked. Yes, please to parts 2, 3, ...

[jontnoneya]

I SOO wish this was longer. Come on James, don't be afraid of the longer format.