BOINC FAQ: Project BOINC
From Unofficial BOINC Wiki
[edit] General
In this section of the FAQ we will have questions and answer that relate to the development of the BOINC System itself.
[edit] Why aren't you doing this in Java?
Java is not currently fast enough, and there are lots of system-dependent details that we need to handle in C or C++. There are also issues of compatibility between the various versions of Java. Because of licensing issues with Java running on Microsoft Windows® platforms the ability to easily write portable code in Java is a little more difficult.
And quite simply, C++ is just more available on a wider variety of systems than any other language.
[edit] The original SETI@Home had a screen saver version. Will there be a screen saver version of the BOINC Software?
The Screen Saver capability is primarily a component part of the Science Application. So, the BOINC Client Software actually has a Screen Saver module built-in. However, the Science Application has to provide the graphics code that can be displayed by the BOINC Client Software when the Screen Saver is active; or the alternate mode will be used.
If the Science Application does not provide the graphics to be displayed, then the BOINC Screen Saver module will display a bouncing BOINC Logo on the display.
[edit] The original SETI@Home Project had a had a version that could be installed as a service in windows will this be a feature in the BOINC Software?
Yes, the ability to install the BOINC Client Software and the project's Science Application as a service is in the current system.
It can also be installed under a single user's account, or as an application that can be managed from all accounts. More information about that is in "The Windows Installer".
One side note, the BOINC Daemon is actually a "service" under Microsoft Windows®, and replaces the command line clients.
