Sun Microsystems Introduces Beta Release of New Java Platform Standard Edition

Builds Groundswell of Community Participation and Delivers Platform for Next Generation of IT Innovation and Web Development

Santa Clara, Calif. -- February 15, 2006 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), the creator and leading advocate of Java technology, today announced the Beta release for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6). Code-named Project Mustang, this release is the culmination of an industry-wide design effort, open review and unprecedented collaboration between Sun engineers and hundreds of developers. In addition to enhanced functionality for web services, diagnostics, and desktop applications, Java SE 6 software delivers the compatibility and stability customers can expect from a transparent development model. The Java SE 6 software is now, more than ever, the platform of choice for vendors and developers. In-depth information and downloads for the Java SE 6 software Beta release are available now at: http://java.sun.com/javase/6.

“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.”

Web 2.0

The Java SE 6 software accelerates developer innovation in a world where the web is the platform. A new framework for scripting languages, such as PHP and JavaScript(TM) technology, simplifies leveraging Java technology from all the latest scripting engines. In addition, the Java SE 6 software includes a full web services client stack. With support for the latest web services specifications, such as JAX-WS 2.0 and JAXB 2.0, creating and publishing new web services on the Java SE software is easier than ever before.

Diagnostics, Monitoring, and Management

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).

Desktop Enhancements

The Java SE 6 software also delivers significant improvements to the desktop. Through tighter integration with native desktop facilities, Java applications now better emulate native platform look and feel, text printing, drag and drop capabilities and table display and manipulation. The Java SE 6 software is also planned to provide support for the upcoming version of Windows Vista. More information about the desktop features and improvements is available at: http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2SE/Desktop/mustang/.

Compatibility

A top priority for the Java SE 6 software is to protect developers’ current and future investments by helping to ensure compatibility. 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/

Transparency

Project Mustang leverages simplified licenses, weekly source and binary snapshots, a contribution process, active forums and blogs to enable participation and make development of the Java SE 6 software transparent. Every day, passionate developers from around the world are working with Sun engineers to create a dynamic community (at http://community.java.net/jdk), and contribute directly to the future of the Java platform. In addition to individual developer contributions, 14 companies and organizations including The Apache Software Foundation, BEA, IBM, Oracle and SAP AG, continue to participate along with Sun in the evolution of Java SE software through the Java Community Process services. Full details on the release specification are available at: http://jcp.org/en/jsr/detail?id=270.

Developers are encouraged to try out all the latest features in Java SE 6 software Beta using the NetBeans Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 5.0 software tools via download at http://www.netbeans.org. and the upcoming release of Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 (Java EE 5). NetBeans.org provides an open source, high performance, modular, extensible, multi-platform Java IDE to accelerate the development of Java SE 6 software-based applications, web services and mobile applications. Java EE technology provides web services, component model, management, and communications APIs that make it the industry standard for implementing enterprise class service-oriented architecture (SOA) and web 2.0 applications. Java developers looking for training, support and certification are encouraged to join the Sun Developer Network Program, at no cost, by registering online at: http://developers.sun.com/register.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- “The Network Is The Computer” -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world’s most important markets. Sun’s philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.


Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun Logo, Java, Solaris, JavaScript, Sun Ultra, NetBeans, Java Community Process and The Network Is The Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

1. The terms “Java Virtual Machine” and “JVM” mean a Virtual Machine for the Java platform.

Contact Information

Jacki DeCoster

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

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