From: Michael Abernethy <mna@duke.edu>
  To  : 
  Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 12:48:29 -0500

Re: this

 "this" can be rather helpful when you're dealing with lots of classes 
and windows.  It can help you keep track of what you're doing to what.
 Technically, I think "this" is a pointer to the current class, and this 
can be helpful when you're trying to pass the current class to another class.
For example:

 myOtherClass.doSomething(this);

 will pass your current class to myOtherClass.


> 
> in reading through all this and other java code....
> 
> the "this" keyword pops up fairly often, probably more so than i have seen
> in c++.  i know that the definition of "this" is that it is a pointer to the
> current object.  unfortunately, i have never received a decent explanation
> of what the significance of this is, what it actually does, or how it can be
> used.  also, since the concept of pointers is very different in java, how is
> "this" different or the same?  thanks.
> -luke
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> For those that are interested:  This is sick.  They really are going to take
> over the world someday.
> 
> --snip--
> 
> Microsoft Announces MS-Linux
> 
>     The flexible "grassroots" operating system, now with the quality and
>     enterprise-level service and support customers expect from Microsoft
> 
>     REDMOND, Wash., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today
> announced the forthcoming release of MS-Linux(R), a new version of the
> well-known Linux(R) operating system designed for the enterprise.
> 
>     "Prior to the development of MS-Linux, enterprise customers wouldn't
> dream of deploying mission-critical applications on an unsupported
> operating system," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of Microsoft's
> personal and business systems group. "All that has now changed."
> 
>     Maximum compatibility and performance
>     While other versions of Linux offer a variety of immature and largely
> incompatible windowing environments, MS-Linux includes an implementation
> of the familiar Microsoft(R) Windows(R) desktop, minimizing corporate
> training costs and allowing the hundreds of millions of Windows users
> worldwide to be productive right away.
> 
>     MS-Linux provides a complete implementation of the Win32(R) API,
> enabling many of the thousands of applications written for the Microsoft
> Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT(R), and Windows 2000 operating systems
> to run unchanged on MS-Linux. Microsoft will offer support for future
> releases of the Microsoft Office suite of productivity applications and
> the BackOffice family of server products running on MS-Linux. In addition,
> many existing MS-DOS(R) and SCO Unix programs will run on MS-Linux without
> modification. Benchmark tests performed by independent laboratories have
> shown that MS-Linux is the world's fastest Windows file server.
> 
>     A groundswell of support from industry
>     A number of leading development tool vendors will announce support for
> MS-Linux, including Bristol Technology Inc., Compuware Corp., Cygnus
> Solutions, Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc., Intel Corp., Metrowerks Inc.,
> Rational Software Corp., Sybase Inc., and Tower Technology.
> 
>     "The new Linux distribution from Microsoft gives the operating system
> the credibility it needs to gain a foothold in organizations where it has
> never gone before," said Jon Hall, Executive Director of Linux
> International, a non-profit Linux advocacy organization. Microsoft will
> become a corporate member of Linux International, and will make a
> substantial donation of funds and equipment to the organization. "Linux
> International looks forward to working with Microsoft for the benefit of
> current and future Linux users," added Hall.
> 
>     According to VA Research President and CEO Larry Augustin, "VA
> Research is delighted that Microsoft is entering the fast-growing market
> forcomputers powered by Linux." VA Research has announced plans to bundle
> MS-Linux and selected Microsoft Office and BackOffice products with its
> powerful server, workstation, and laptop computers. VA Research has also
> agreed to make Microsoft its exclusive supplier of Linux-based operating
> systems going forward. "Having the Office and BackOffice suites running on
> computers from VA Research will give us a huge advantage in the
> marketplace," said Augustin.
> 
>     Microsoft has engaged well-known author and programmer Eric S. Raymond
> to advise the company on certain intellectual property issues related to
> Linux. Raymond's paper "The Cathedral of the Bizarre" was a key factor in
> Microsoft's decision to develop a Linux product. "While Microsoft will not
> immediately release the source code for its version of Linux, the company
> has promised to do so eventually," said Raymond. "That's good enough for
> me."
> 
>     "The Linux community and Microsoft are a great fit," says Linus
> Torvalds, creator of Linux. "After all, we both have the same goal, which
> is total world domination."
> 
>     Separately, Microsoft has announced the opening of a new recruiting
> center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. "Microsoft is always
> looking for talented individuals to join our team," said Mike Murray,
> Microsoft's vice president of human resources and administration. "We
> often recruit in communities that are expected to have significant numbers
> of folks looking for work in the near future."
> 
>     Pricing and availability
>     Microsoft expects to release English and international versions of
> MS-Linux Version 3.1 for Intel- and RISC-based computers on or before
> April 1, 2000. Pricing has not been announced.
> 
>     About Microsoft
>     Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
> software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
> products and services, each designed with the mission of making it easier
> and more enjoyable to take advantage of people using personal computers
> every day.
> 
>     Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Win32, BackOffice, MS-Linux, and Linux
> are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the
> United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names
> herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

Mike Abernethy
www.duke.edu/~mna
IBM Club Cyberblue - www.cybrblu.ibm.com