Sun Microsystems announced the release of the Beta release of their new Java Platform, Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6). They called the effort Project Mustang. They’ve added some features and improved on others to improve developers’ Java experience.
According to Sun, developers should see enhanced functionality for web services, diagnostics and desktop applications as well as compatibility and stability. For purposes of Web 2.0, Java SE 6 includes a new framework for scripting languages like PHP and Javascript. They’ve also included a full web services client stack and support for web services specs like JAX-WS 2.0 and JAXB 2.0.
Java SE 6 software provides expanded tools for diagnosing, managing and monitoring applications. The Java SE 6 software also includes expanded support for DTrace, a comprehensive dynamic tracing framework for the Solaris 10 Operating System. In addition, the Java SE 6 software further increases ease of development with tool interface updates for the Java Virtual Machine (1) and the Java Platform Debugger Architecture (JPDA).
“With expanded scripting language and web services support, the Java SE 6 software is clearly emerging as the next generation platform for Web 2.0 applications and services. The Beta version has been extensively tested and is now ready for a wider base of developers who want to take advantage of the latest features but don’t want to be ‘bleeding edge,'” said Jeff Jackson, Vice President, Java Developer Platform and Strategy, Sun Microsystems.
“Developers are encouraged to start testing projects and applications now, and provide their own feedback for the final version of the Java SE 6 software.”
Sun is also sponsoring a contest for compatibility issues:
Developers are encouraged to get involved through an extensive beta cycle and through the “Regressions Challenge” contest. The contest encourages developers to look for and submit compatibility issues for the opportunity to win a Sun Ultra 20 workstation. The contest runs through March 31, 2006 and developers are encouraged to submit their entries at https://mustang.dev.java.net/regchal/.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
