The OSGi component framework has evolved over many years, expanding from an embedded systems standard to finally encompass Java enterprise servers. With last year's formal roll-out of OSGi Enterprise Specification Release 4, Version 4.2, it has found wider use. At the same time, OSGi has retained a reputation as a complex technology, more for systems programmers than mainstream application developers.
In the next OSGi rev, a former composite bundle model has been replaced by a resolver hook mode. A possible easier alternative or adjunct to OSGi modularization takes the form of Java Jigsaw (JSR -294) specs. But that has been a modering project in recent years. OSGi, with its flaws, is here and now, relatively.
One Java technologist says: ''I've always been convinced that the last thing Java needs is yet another module system. Multiple implementations are good but multiple specifications for exactly the same purpose are just not good."