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SUN DELIVERS NEXT VERSION OF THE JAVATM PLATFORM
JavaTM 2 Brand Unveiled
NEW YORK CITY December 8, 1998 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. today
announced the availability of the JavaTM 2 platform, the
next release of the core Java technology (formerly code-named "JDKTM
1.2"). The Java 2 platform is the definitive environment for enterprises aiming to
build and install web-centric software applications that can run on a variety of
computers, servers and other computing devices. The new release provides significant
performance improvements, a new, flexible security model and a complete set of
Applications Programming Interfaces (APIs).
The Java 2 platform provides software programmers with the speed, security and
functionality that make it easier than ever to create interoperable, mission-critical
enterprise applications. The Java 2 platform is widely supported by the industry and is
being endorsed by hundreds of industry-leading companies worldwide (see quote addendum).
"Java 2 is the ultimate platform for businesses competing in the networked
economy," said Alan Baratz, president of Java Software at Sun Microsystems, Inc.
"Representing a major release of the Java technology, the Java 2 platform provides
the competitive advantage businesses need to leverage, protect and easily expand upon
existing investments. With the Java 2 platform, companies can streamline business
processes, take advantage of new types of business opportunities and compete in entirely
new ways."
Developed in collaboration with the industry, the Java 2 platform represents the input
of close to 200 Java software licensees as well as tens of thousands of Java technology
developers.
"The new platform is truly the result of a unique partnership between Sun and the
industry," Baratz continued. "Sun's participative development process enabled us
to harness the energy and expertise of the industry to produce a powerful, `best-of-breed'
Java platform efficiently and rapidly. The Java 2 platform is the model for technology
development in a world of rapid change."
The Java 2 platform is available for immediate download at http://java.sun.com/products/jdk. See attached
summary for details on the new features of the Java 2 platform.
JAVATM 2 PLATFORM NEW FEATURES SUMMARY
The Javatm 2 platform provides a more flexible
security model, powerful performance enhancements, interoperability with other enterprise
systems, easier application development, improved globalization and even more consistent
cross-platform deployment.
The new features of the Java 2 platform include:
- Javatm Security Model
The state-of-the-art "sandbox" model has been expanded to give developers, users
and system administrators the option to specify and manage a set of flexible security
policies that govern which actions an application or applet can or cannot perform. The
Java 2 platform security model includes new features such as:
- Policy-based access control
- Certificate interfaces (X.509 V3)
- Performance Enhancements
New enhancements for improved performance and responsiveness in the Java 2 platform
include:
- Native thread support for Solaristm operating
environment
- Memory compression for loaded classes
- Faster memory allocation and improved garbage collection
- Pluggable virtual machine architecture for other virtual machines, including the
forthcoming Java HotSpottm VM
- New Just in Time (JIT) compiler
- Javatm Native Interface (JNI) conversion
- Javatm Foundation Classes (JFC)
The Java Foundation Classes are now core to the Java 2 platform and includes:
- The Project Swing set of GUI components
- Drag & Drop
- Java 2Dtm API which provides new 2D and AWT graphics
capabilities as well as printing support
- The Java look and feel interface
- A new Accessibility API
- Globalization
Enhanced Globalization in the Java 2 technology provides the following for a
cross-cultural environment:
- Input Method Framework (supports Japanese, Chinese, and Korean characters)
- Complex output using the Java 2D API to provide a bi-directional, high-quality display
of Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew and other character languages
- Javatm Plug-in
Java Plug-in for Web browsers, now included in the Java 2 platform, provides a runtime
that is fully compatible with the Java virtual machine through easy download and install
via widely deployed web browsers.
- Javatm IDL (Interface Definition Language) API
The Java IDL API offers standards-based distributed computing interoperability with CORBA.
The API includes the following features:
- Invoke operations or remote network services
- A fully compliant Java ORB is included in the runtime
- Java Database Connectivity 2.0 (JDBCtm 2.0)
Enhancements
JDBC provides easier access to data for more flexible queries. Improved performance and
stability are afforded by scrollable cursors and support for SQL3 types.
- Collections Framework
This new unified architecture represents and manipulates collections for development
efficiency and allows interoperability among unrelated APIs.
- The Java 2 platform is Year 2000-compliant; it is a stable, secure and powerful
environment for mission-critical computing for the next milennium.
For a comprehensive list of features and more information regarding Java 2
technologies, visit http://java.sun.com/products/jdk.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The ComputerTM,"
has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider
of high quality hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets
and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $10 billion in annual revenues,
Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.
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