why java class files start with 0xCAFEBABE
Summary
The article explores the origin of the 0xCAFEBABE magic number used in Java class files, tracing its roots to Mach-O formats and NeXT history. It includes anecdotes and quotes from key figures (including James Gosling) to debunk myths about who chose the values and how the naming occurred, providing historical context for developers curious about file format conventions.