Java EE's Servlet and JSP API provide a fine foundation for handling a web-based request-response cycle. Adding UI frameworks like JSR-371 to the spec only causes problems.

Desktop Java is enjoying a long-overdue renaissance. But for Swing (the Java UI toolkit) to be taken seriously, Sun must pay closer attention to usability.

Get inside the Java shell, with this hands-on demonstration of building advanced UI consoles and REPLs in Java.