Java(TM) Technology on Linux: Sun's News from LinuxWorld 2000

★ wanayoo — archive 1999 http://java.sun.com/features/2000/02/linuxworld.html

JAVA^TM TECHNOLOGY ON LINUX
Sun's News from LinuxWorld 2000

by Mary Smaragdis

Attendees at LinuxWorld

Attendees line up for the Linus Torvalds' keynote at LinuxWorld 2000

LinuxWorld 2000, New York, February 1-4, 2000 -- This conference for Linux devotees from all over the world served as a backdrop this week for a number of initiatives from Sun that increase the momentum of enterprise Java^TM technology development and deployment on Linux systems. Parallels continue to run strong between Linux and the Java platform -- both have an object-oriented design and multiplatform distribution approach. Both were built based on principles of industry collaboration and technical excellence. Sun's announcements are aimed at solidifying bridges between the two environments.

Sun's news at the show includes:

A distribution agreement with Caldera Systems in which Caldera will ship Sun's Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE^TM) and Java HotSpot^TM Virtual Machine - the SDK 1.3 port -- to its enterprise-focused Linux developer community later this year. (The Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 1.2.2 port to Linux is now available from Sun via the Java Developer Connection^SM.)
Forte^TM for Java^TM Community Edition, a leading integrated development environment (IDE) has been widely adopted by the Linux development community, and is now available free of charge for download. It offers Linux programmers the tools for the development of applications based on the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition.

"We're committed to long-term, productive collaboration with the Linux and Open Source communities," says George Paolini, vice president of Java Community Development, Sun Microsystems. "Sun's platforms and technologies, along with Linux and Open Source software, are driving growth, innovation and the success of network computing. They underscore the critical importance of open standards and non-proprietary interfaces, something which Sun has a long history of supporting with the Java platform and other technologies."

Sun and Caldera Systems Pen Distribution Agreement

The agreement between Sun and Caldera systems to ship version 1.3 of J2SE and Java HotSpot Virtual Machine provides Linux developers with the most current version of the Java platform. This feature-complete, secure, stable, network-centric development and deployment platform will be easily accessible to Linux developers as a result of this pact.

The immediate implication of this agreement is that thousands of enterprise applications already written to the Java platform will be available to Linux developers and end-users in one fell swoop.

Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux, gives the opening keynote at LinuxWorld 2000

"As the union between the Java 2 platform and Linux continues to solidify, there is a clear need for developers with expertise in both categories to deliver solutions that capitalize on the benefits of both technologies," said Blake Connell, Sun's senior product marketing manager for J2SE technology. "Caldera, as the first commercial vendor to deliver the latest release of the Java platform for Linux to the developer community, is leading the charge to equip its customers with the tools needed to take advantage of the best of both worlds."

"We believe Linux and Java technology are critical to any customer engaging in e-business or e-commerce," said Ransom Love, president and CEO of Caldera Systems, Inc. in a press release issued by Sun. "It makes perfect sense for Caldera to package Sun's J2SE technology with OpenLinux desktop and server products because of our companies' joint visions to provide enterprise developers with the best-in-class operating system and platform development software."

The next upgrade release of J2SE technology, version 1.3, will include the Java HotSpot Client Virtual Machine and will also be ported to Linux by Sun. The Java HotSpot Client Virtual Machine provides dramatically improved interactive performance through reduced memory footprint and a faster startup time due to its unique optimization features. J2SE version 1.3 for Linux is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2000 and will be distributed through Caldera Systems.

J2SE technology version 1.2 for Linux is freely available today via download for individual use. The associated Java runtime environment for Linux, which enables users to run Java technology-based applications, is freely re-distributable per the terms of the license. Source code will be available through Sun's Community Source Licensing program (SCSL).

Linux joins numerous other operating systems that support the Java 2 platform, including operating systems from SGI, Compaq, Tandem, IBM, HP, Microsoft, Sun, Be, Novell, SCO and Sequent.

Sun's New Java Technology Tools Blaze Ahead

Forte for Java's Automatic code compiler, along with Component Inspector, lets users edit a file associated with Graphical User Interfaces
(click to enlarge)

With more than 100,000 downloads of Forte for Java as of this writing, the tools are generating significant interest in the Linux development community. By providing a complete, extensible tool that delivers user interface, edit, compile and debug functionality, developers can quickly and cost-effectively create Java technology-based applications. Forte for Java, Community Edition, currently in beta, is completely cross-platform compatible. Versions are available free of charge for download to developers for the Solaris^TM Operating Environment, Linux, Windows 98 and Windows NT platforms.

"It's clear that Sun's new tools for Java technology development are a force to be reckoned with," says Mark Herring, director of marketing, Internet Application and Performance Tools, Sun Microsystems. "With more than 100,000 downloads in three months, Sun has a winner with Forte for Java, Community Edition, and Sun's development tools are well on their way to becoming the leading Java IDEs for companies building dot-com applications."

The Forte product line includes:

Forte for Java^TM software, a scalable Java IDE used to build dot-com applications, from simple to complex
Forte Fusion^TM software, an XML-based enterprise application integration (EAI) suite for integrating business processes and creating effective e-commerce systems
Sun WorkShop^TM software, for creating dot-com applications that take advantage of the new features in the Solaris 8 Operating Environment
Forte Application Environment for building new application components, integrating external application components and automating entire multi-step business processes

These tools offerings have been road-tested at companies and organizations that are on the leading edge of the dot-com revolution.

Forte for Java's Component Inspector lets users view components in applications and set their properties
(click to enlarge)

"Forte for Java is our primary development IDE for Java technology work because it allows us to test the core on several platforms without changing the way we do development on each," said Erik Huddleston, chief architect of eCustomers.com, in a press release issued by Sun. "Unlike other Java IDEs, Forte for Java has advanced editor features, and it is flexible and supports RMI servers, XML documents, CORBA servers, servlets, Enterprise JavaBeans^TM technology, and a host of other Java technologies -- all with great context-sensitive editors."

Platform independence and an intuitive interface make it easy for users to quickly jump-start their network-centric Java technology application development.

"We've used Forte for Java since it was first available, because it's easy to use, and extremely intuitive," said Ingenuity Software's lead developer Ann Tecklenburg in a Sun press release. "Forte for Java is the best cross-platform tool for teams that want to get up and running fast, and with a lot of power."

And as many Java technology developers use Linux as their primary development platform, the Forte for Java IDE makes it possible for them to realize the benefits of cross-platform deployment options.

"Our focus is to provide the most business-friendly Linux available, which includes providing the best Java technology support for enterprise computing," said Benoy Tamang, vice president of marketing for Caldera Systems, Inc. in a Sun press release. "World-class tools are an essential part of Caldera's OpenLinux. Forte for Java Community Edition appeals to Linux developers because it has features to satisfy the serious programmer and is free."

Free Tools for .edu

Java^TM Technology Goes to College

79% of US universities are teaching the Java programming language; 50% of these require Java programming language as a mandatory course. (Gartner Group, 1/98)

Sun also announced this week that it is providing the Forte product line to universities and students free of charge. In so doing, Sun intends to help power academic development in Java technology for the Linux platform, as well as the other supported platforms.

"Sun is providing the building blocks for tomorrow's technology and Internet innovators," said Dr. Richard Gowen, president, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in a Sun press release. "Making Forte tools available to our students and researchers begins the invention of the Web-and-ecommerce machine of the future. It is an investment which will reap immeasurable rewards."

Sun and Caldera Systems Pen Distribution Agreement

Sun's New Java Technology Tools Blaze Ahead

Free Tools for .edu

See Also