It is imperative that you know Java before you take this course. Alternatively, you could have equivalent experience. You should have a good understanding of how to do all of the following:

1. Implement Java classes, objects, and methods
2. Organize and manage class hierarchies and frameworks
3. Use Java data types, expressions, and control flow structures
4. Code, compile, and test Java applications (classes with a main() method)

Although we will spend quite a bit of time clarifying CORBA terms such as client, server, ORB, adapter, and the like, this is not a good starting point if you are not sure what CORBA is. Our CORBA Fundamentals course will give you the background you require. Before you start this course, you should be able to write the IDL for an interface, for example.
In the next lesson, what you need to take this course will be discussed.

In essence, the early development years were entirely funded by public research. JacORB did receive some sponsoring over the years, but not as much as would have been desirable. A few development tasks that would otherwise not have been possible could be payed for, but more would have been possible.
If you feel that returning some of the value created by the use of Open Source software in your company is a wise investment in the future of that the software (maintenance, quality improvements, further development) in the future, then you should contact us about donations. Buying hardware and sending it to us is one option. It is also possible to directly donate money to the JacORB project itself. If approval for outright donations is difficult to obtain at your company, we can send you an invoice for, e.g., CORBA consulting. For more information, contact the current maintainer listed at Jacorb Authors

If you want to contribute to the development of the software directly, you should do the following:

1. download JacORB and run the software to gain some first-hand expertise first
2. read this document and other sources of CORBA documentation, such as [?], and the OMG's set of specifications (CORBA spec., IDL/Java language mapping)
3. start reading the code
4. subscribe to the jacorb-developer mailing list to share your expertise
5. contact us to get subscribed to the core team's mailing list and send pull requests to the GIT repository.
6. read the coding guide lines
7. contribute code and test cases