NEWS BRIEFS

San Jose, CA — Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced expanded distribution for the Java 2 platform on the Linux operating system through agreements with SuSE and TurboLinux. These agreements further extend Java technology’s reach across all major operating environments as the de facto standard for enterprise application development and deployment. Linux is one of numerous operating systems that support the Java 2 platform, including those from Sun, IBM, Compaq, HP, Microsoft, Apple, Novell, SGI, SCO, BSDi and BE.

The increased availability of the Java 2 platform on Linux expands the market opportunities available to Linux developers. As well, end users of the Linux operating system will more easily be able to take advantage of the breadth and depth of thousands of Java technology-based applications, from enterprise e-commerce infrastructure software to client-side applications such as corporate Intranets.

This announcement complements Sun’s existing Java technology distribution agreements with MandrakeSoft and Caldera Systems. MandrakeSoft has been delivering the Java 2 platform to the Linux community since the JavaOne 2000 Conference in June, while Caldera was the first commercial Linux distribution vendor to license Sun’s Java technology source code in the beginning of this year. Last month, Caldera also began shipping the latest beta version of the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE technology) v 1.3, which includes Sun’s Java HotSpot technology.

“With the number of Java technology developers reaching 2.5 million, Java technology has become the primary development environment of the dot-com age. Both the Java technology and Linux developer communities will benefit from these distribution agreements through a greater ability to utilize the power of the Java 2 platform with the popular open source Linux operating system,” said George Paolini, vice president, Java Community Development, Sun Microsystems, Inc. “Sun’s agreements with SuSE and TurboLinux, two of the leading Linux distributors in Europe and Asia, respectively, provide proof of our commitment to make good on Java technology’s promise of ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere’.”

In addition, as announced at the JavaOne Conference in June, Berkeley Source Distribution Inc. also ships J2SE technology for BSD O/S and is currently working with the FreeBSD community on J2SE technology for the FreeBSD OS.

“As a spearhead of Linux technology, SuSE is delighted to ship Java technology with our upcoming version SuSE Linux 7.0. Linux developers from all over the world will tremendously profit from our cooperation, which enables them to provide the whole Linux community with multiple viable applications,” said Dirk Hohndel, CTO, SuSE Linux AG.

“TurboLinux is committed to working with advanced technology partners like Sun Microsystems to provide cross-platform solutions for infrastructure and user-interface development efforts,” said Gustav Gilbertson, Strategic Alliance Manager for TurboLinux. “Sun’s Java technology efforts provide developers with an excellent platform to develop cross-platform solutions for the internet and intranet.”

In May, Sun released its fastest client-side Java platform to date: J2SE technology v 1.3. J2SE technology v 1.3 for Linux is currently in beta stage. As compared to the initial release of J2SE technology for Linux in February – v 1.2.2, which incorporates significant contributions from Blackdown, a non-profit organization of Java technology and Linux developers – this latest version has dramatically faster performance through both startup time and memory footprint improvements. J2SE technology v 1.3 for Linux is expected to ship in its final release in October of this year. The beta release of J2SE technology v 1.3 for Linux is freely available via download for individual use from http://java.sun.com/linux . Source code is also available through Sun’s Community Source Licensing program (SCSL) at http://www.sun.com/software/communitysource/java2 .

The Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition on Linux Also at the JavaOne Conference, Sun announced the availability of the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE technology) v 1.2.1 on Linux. J2EE technology is scheduled to be released on J2SE v. 1.3 for Linux this Fall. The source code for the J2EE Reference Implementation will become available at the same time. Unveiled in December 1999 and shipping since January of this year, J2EE technology enables businesses to protect and leverage existing infrastructure investments by easily linking them with new web-based applications. J2EE technology greatly simplifies enterprise application development, providing customers with faster time to market and the freedom to choose among best-of-breed, compatible enterprise solutions. J2EE technology has been licensed by over twenty companies: see http://java.sun.com/j2ee/licensees.html for a complete list of official J2EE technology licensees.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision “The Network Is The Computer” – has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc., to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $15.7 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com .

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