[Lessonbuilder-devel] Java News

[Mike T. <mi...@tr...>]

From:  <http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040206/152/eld6n.html> =
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040206/152/eld6n.html
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Friday February 6, 09:10 AM 	=09
Sun reveals future Java foundations=20


By Martin LaMonica, CNET News.com=20


The company has released the first beta version of its Java 2 Platform=20


Sun Microsystems has released an early edition of software that will =
form the underpinnings of future Java applications for desktop =
computers.=20


The company on Wednesday released the first beta version of the Java 2 =
Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 1.5 software, which includes a series =
of enhancements to the Java programming language and the software used =
to run Java applications. And on Thursday, Sun announced the beta =
program for J2SE 1.5, code-named Tiger.=20


J2SE is a specification that outlines how Java providers should write =
their software, notably development tools, to incorporate the latest =
features. The Tiger release of J2SE is targeted for completion this =
summer.=20


Java licensees, such as Sun and Borland Software, usually take several =
months to add the latest features to their products.=20


Sun aims to release this summer a version 4.0 update of its NetBeans =
open-source development tools that will incorporate the enhancements of =
the Java platform update, said James Gosling, chief technology officer =
of Sun's developer tools division. Other Java tools companies are =
expected to add the changes in their respective products, as will PC =
manufacturers that ship Java Runtime Environment, software that's needed =
to execute Java code.=20


The J2SE software, which usually runs on desktop PCs, forms the basis of =
the Java 2 Enterprise Edition standard for server-side Java =
applications. The Java 2 Micro Edition specification addresses Java =
software that's embedded in cell phones and other handheld devices.=20


A primary goal of the new Java specification is to simplify programming =
done with the Java language, according to Sun. Tiger includes changes =
designed to cut down on the amount of code programmers need to write and =
to ease the process of deploying applications.=20


One feature allows a programmer to add information, called metadata, to =
bodies of code. Once implemented in products, this will enable =
developers to eliminate repetitive tasks and help in the debugging and =
deployment process, according to Sun.=20


Tiger is also intended to make Java applications easier to monitor and =
manage, once they are operating and perform better. The software for =
running Java programs on desktop PCs is being revamped as well to make =
Java programs run faster and use less PC memory, including on Linux =
desktop machines.=20


"Over the past year, other desktop [operating systems] -- Mac and Linux =
-- have been rising in importance. I wouldn't say they are anyway near =
threatening Microsoft's monopoly, but they are gathering developer =
mindshare," said Gosling.=20


Ease of development and deployment is a critical goal for Sun and other =
Java software providers. Java tools and deployment software, though =
widely used, are generally considered more complex and harder to learn =
than comparative tools from Microsoft.=20


In addition to efforts to simplify the Java language, Java tool =
providers are each investing in simpler tools, or integrated development =
environments, to make Java programmers more productive. Sun, for =
instance, in the middle of the year is planning to release Java Creator, =
a tool aimed at Microsoft Visual Basic programmers who favour a =
drag-and-drop method for building applications.=20


Sun made the announcement of the Tiger beta program the same week of =
EclipseCon, a conference dedicated to the open-source development tools =
platform Eclipse. Although Eclipse software incorporates Java software =
standards, Sun has been wary of its growing influence in the industry =
and has urged the group not to fracture the Java industry.=20

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