This page contains recommendations on solving various problems related to AsmTools

AsmTools OS Community

What is AsmTools?

AsmTools is a set of Java Assembler Tools which provides a means to assemble textual assembly files into Java .class (object) files, and to disassemble .class files back into assembly files. This can be used to test the VM for proper acceptance/rejection of Java objects, but also for any tool that works with Java objects.

What are the licensing terms for OS AsmTools?

The JCov project is licensed under the GNU Public License, version 2, with the Classpath Exception. See the license page for more information.

What is the classpath exception?

The classpath exception was developed by the Free Software Foundation's GNU/Classpath Project (see http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/license.html). It allows you to link an application available under any license to a library that is part of software licensed under GPL v2, without that application being subject to the GPL's requirement to be itself offered to the public under the GPL.

Why do you need the classpath exception?

If JCov was distributed under GPL v2, that application could be subject to the requirements of the GPL that all code that is shipped as part of a "work based on the [GPL] program" also be GPL licensed. Accordingly, a GPL license exception is needed that specifically excludes from this licensing requirement any application that links to the GPL implementation. The classpath exception accomplishes this.

What is the relationship between the AsmTools project and the OpenJDK - CodeTools community?

The OpenJDK - CodeTools project is the Java open source home for technologies used to test a Java Platform.

Similar to other CodeTools projects, the AsmTools project started out as a commercial test technology, and has been released to the Java open source community. The AsmTools project also shares the same governance model and licensing requirements as the OpenJDK CodeTools Project.

How can I submit or suggest changes to the AsmTools project?

We encourage you to contribute source code to the AsmTools project. In accordance with the OpenJDK project governance process, you can submit code to the project leader either as a user, a developer, or as a committer. If your code is accepted to be integrated into the source tree, you will be asked to sign a Contributor's Agreement similar to what Apache Software Foundation requires. For more information about the governance process and the various roles for members in the community, please review OpenJDK Governance.

What can we expect in next AsmTools version?

The next AsmTools milestone will be connected with JDK9. Specifically, this means that AsmTools will support changes in JDK infrastructure - as proposed for project Jigsaw (http://openjdk.java.net/projects/jigsaw/). Other future AsmTools directions include: more specific high-level syntax for class-file attributes.

AsmTools product

What documentation is available for developers?

There is a user guide which describes the syntax of both the Jasm and JCod assembler languages.

Why are AsmTools the desirable choice for OpenJDK developers?

AsmTools is interesting because it is developed in lock-step with the development of the Java platform (JDK). AsmTools always maintains the version of Java which is currently under development.
Also, AsmTools is well integrated with Oracle's current test infrastructure, such as JavaTest and the JTReg test harnesses.

What are the unique advantages of AsmTools?

• • TBD