It seems we are starting to work in JSR 294 to work on modularity for the Java language. If you're interested, you can follow the discussions via an observer list. This will be the primary place where Java modularity will be discussed between the different stake holders. I think that there will be a lot of interesting arguments on this list in the next two months concerning Java and modularity.

I am looking forward to a productive EG, lets see what will come out of it!

Peter Kriens

One of the strategic aspects of project Jigsaw is to allow multiple module systems. In Alex's presentation it is suggested that there will be a "simple" module system for the JDK, which is also usable for developers. However, it is envisioned that it will have a provider model that will allow others to provide their own favorite module system. Examples given are maven and OSGi. This is in line with the general philosophy of Java to allow multiple implementations.

In general this is a very good philosophy in general because it promotes competition, which results in more and therefore better choices for the user. However, in the case of a module system it will do the opposite: it will stifle competition, which will cause less choice and therefore worse solutions. The reason for this effect is that a module system is the conduit for the market of implementations.