Sun's Java lets developers write software that works on a variety of computers and systems and runs on mobile devices. Sun held thousands of patents but backed open-source sharing. It cut licensing deals for Java, but also offered free versions. It was often criticized for not making enough money from Java.

Oracle's Chief Executive Larry Ellison called Java "the single most important software asset we have ever acquired." Of all the executives in Silicon Valley, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt is more aware than most of the value of Java. He worked at Sun and led its Java development efforts before joining Google in 2001.

James Gosling, the father of Java, called Ellison, "Larry, Prince of Darkness," and did not join Oracle when it bought Sun. He joined, you guessed it, Google instead.