Open Source Java

The news of the day: Open Source Java.

Just returning from visits to Denmark, Sweden and Finland – it's unbelievable to see how many Java enthusiasts live in that part of the world. That must be why one of the largest Java User Group (JUG)-run conferences Javapolis, coming to Antwerp again in December, is such a huge success.

Which bring us to the big news of the day... open source Java. An incredible amount of work has happened over the past six months since Jonathan announced we would open source Java at JavaOne. And today, we deliver on this commitment and take another major step toward the promise of open sourcing our entire software portfolio. We continue to broaden the availability of leading technologies to a community that has helped to deliver over 4 billion handsets already shipping Java. If my pan-Scandinavia trek is any indication of the enthusiasm around our announcement, today will be an exciting new beginning as Sun contributes what many consider the largest effort and code base to the Open Source and Free Software movement (with 7 Million lines of code, it's a pretty big project).

In finer detail, we are releasing Java SE (for desktops) and Java ME (for mobile & embedded devices) implementations under the GNU GPLv2, as well as adding the GPL license to Java EE (for enterprise infrastructure), already available under the CDDL in the Glassfish project. By opening key Java code under a common license – accepted and held as the free and open source license of choice – we are giving an added bump to the groundswell of developer support around Java. A freely available, common Java platform will help drive down costs and spur innovation for Web 2.0 development across mobile & embedded markets on up to applications for the enterprise and supercomputing.

Some highlights from today's launch of Open Source Java:

• Don't take my word for it. Hear Richard Stallman weigh in (by video) on Sun's contribution today, along with other industry pundits.
• Developers can take advantage of NetBeans and Sun Studio tools to work on the newly available Java SE code; NetBeans for javac and Sun Studio for HotSpot VM. Find helpful material on how it all works at the Open JDK community site.
• Java ME source code for our feature phone implementation, Sun Java Wireless Client (based on the Connected Limited Device Configuration, CLDC) along with compatibility and quality test tools are now freely available. Broader adoption and standardization on the next-gen platform for data-rich mobile applications leads to innovative services on handsets. Developers can get involved by joining the new Mobile & Embedded community.
• How cool is it that Linux distros will be able to carry Java more easily? This means more market opportunity as Java will be distributable with GNU/Linux distros.
• And yes, it's true, we're open sourcing Duke. (You read that right).

So what I'm asking of you:

1. Learn more about the event by visiting the Open Source Java page for full event coverage and a complete FAQ covering details of the announcement.
2. For Developers, join our efforts at java.net and download code, contribute and promote the news!
3. Join in the celebration. As I mentioned, this is one the largest contributions to the movement (confirmed by Richard Stallman) and is something exciting to be part of.

This is a momentous day for us at Sun, our developers and our supporters. As many others are becoming more proprietary, Sun is driving more towards open source. What an exciting spot to be in.

Posted at 09:11AM Nov 13, 2006 by Peder Ulander in Sun  |