Not to nitpick, but this sounds a tad revisionist: "Sun’s invention of Java could be seen as an attempt to introduce sideways compatibility between its shrinki

Not to nitpick, but this sounds a tad revisionist: "Sun’s invention of Java could be seen as an attempt to introduce sideways compatibility between its shrinking server market and its competitors (Windows, Linux) by introducing a new, cross-platform programming layer." If I recall, Sun had a healthy server market when Java first emerged. In fact, the original intent was for Java to be a client-side technology. It was only after client-side Java didn't live up to expectations, that they pivoted to focus more on the server end. Or perhaps I mis-remember?