java.nio.XxxBuffer classes lack constructors

Name: nt126004 Date: 02/21/2003


FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
not version-related

FULL OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION : not OS-related


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
java.nio.XxxBuffer classes have hidden constructors, but not
java-style constructors. The constructor(s) for a java class
should not be hidden in static methods.

This report is basically a comment on closed bug 4712383.

There are no constructors and there are no getters and setters. Hide() and show() were
deprecated at JDK 1.1 in favor of isVisible() and setVisible(). Java.nio is 1.4 code that
should have been deprecated three versions before it was released.

What we have here is code that was very obviously written by a Java newcomer who needed a more
experienced hand looking over his/her work. I call it a bug in the software management process.

I'm giving zero credence to the "it's for efficiency" argument. See my report 181086 - what
should be an optimized operation turns out to be five times slower than System.arraycopy().

System.arraycopy() is a good example of efficiency. It's done at the method level, not the
class level. No attempt is made to prevent me from overriding that method wth my own code, even
though the result would certainly be slower.

What we need here are some well-coded, java-consistent classes. What we've got doesn't make the
grade. It's just not up to your usual standards.

I should add that .nio with all its faults is still a lot better than not having this
capability at all. I'm getting good results with a RandomAccessFile feeding a ByteBuffer
wrapped with an IntBuffer.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1.see the java.nio.XxxBuffer docs
2.
3.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
XxxBuffer xb = new XxxBuffer( new Xxx[size] );
   // java-style constructor - not provided

XxxBuffer xb = XxxBuffer.wrap( new Xxx[size] );
   // this works, but it's not java


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER WORKAROUND :
write as per the docs
(Review ID: 181073)
======================================================================