Sun and Inprise Release Java2 Linux Blend

Moving to increase its presence in the market for open-source e-commerce software solutions, Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) announced this week that it is releasing a version of the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) for Linux.

The J2SE development platform for Linux, produced with Inprise Corp. (Nasdaq: INPR), will allow e-commerce professionals to port Java-based applications to Linux.

Additionally, Linux developers will gain access to “millions of Java-based applets and applications,” according to Inprise.

“Linux developers have a reason to smile today, as we’ve executed on their requests to marry the Linux open source operating system with a world-class development environment — the Java 2 platform,” commented George Paolini, vice president of Java Community Development for Sun.

Although the product will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2000, an early version is currently available as a free download. Java 2 for Linux will also ship with copies of Jbuilder, Inprise’s integrated development environment product.

Love, Java and E-Commerce

“Because of our Linux for eBusiness focus, this port is an important part of our business plan,” observed Ransom Love, president and CEO of Linux vendor Caldera Systems, Inc.. “Like Sun, we believe that the future of Linux will be the Internet.”

Caldera officially launched its OpenLinux eServer 2.3 and a new Web site at the Linux Business Expo at COMDEX in Las Vegas. Nevada last month, formally inaugurating its new strategic thrust — “Linux for eBusiness.” “Sun’s Linux Port for Java 2 puts an exclamation point behind Java and Linux as the best technology choice for eBusiness and e-commerce,” added Love.

The Linux announcement comes on the heels of Sun’s decision to eliminate royalty fees for developers working with J2SE. Sun has been working toward an open-source code philosophy, but has been harshly criticized for not completely embracing the concept.

J2SE is also available to support other operating systems, including SGI Irix, Compaq Tru64 UNIX, Tandem, IBM, HP, Windows, Solaris, BeOS, NetWare, SCO and Sequent.

Cool NetBeans

In another Linux-related Java move, Sun acquired Czech Republic-based NetBeans Ceska republika a.s. in October. NetBeans is a development firm that focuses on Java-based integrated development environments (IDE).

According to Sun, NetBeans’ development tools complement the Java platform, providing a customizable environment for developing Web applications.

Combined with the additional acquisition of Oakland, California-based Forte Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRTE), Sun has worked to demonstrate its position as a provider of open-source e-commerce solutions, bringing companies what they need “to dot-com their businesses” in a flexible, cost-effective manner.