Sun Microsystems, Inc. has announced the availability Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.4 source code providing support for the final WS-I Basic Profile and the J2EE programming model for portable Web services applications. The source-code release includes compatibility tests, allowing J2EE licensees to make progress on implementing J2EE 1.4. Sun's support of WS-I interoperability specifications helps relieve the burden upon Java developers to learn "specific Web services specifications or to acquire WS-I interoperability expertise; profile guidelines are included in Java platforms and development toolkits such as the Java Web Services Developer Pack (Java WSDP). To date, Sun has released several versions of its J2EE platform based on early WS-I specifications, such as Java Web Services Developer Pack 1.2 and J2EE 1.4 SDK Beta 2. Once J2EE 1.4 is finalized, Sun will release compatibility tests, source code and a software development toolkit (SDK). With these tools, Java developers can save time and money by working with standard APIs for XML and Web Services, such as JAXP, JAXB, JAX-RPC and JAX-R, instead of proprietary APIs that may change from vendor to vendor. Java and XML technologies allow users to easily develop applications that can be seamlessly deployed across all major operating platforms, including Solaris, Linux and Windows. Java has long been the developer's choice for Web services, and J2EE 1.4 represents a culmination of work by the JCP and the technology industry to deliver the first platform to support the WS-I Basic Profile."

About Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition Version 1.4 Beta 2 Release

"The Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.4 application server will be a complete implementation of the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition 1.4 specification once it is final. The J2EE SDK is intended as a proof of concept and example for implementations in the application server marketplace. The J2EE SDK includes a J2EE application server, the J2SE platform as its foundation, and various tools to help developers prototype J2EE applications and learn about the J2EE platform and technologies. It can be used as a J2EE development enviroment for applications prior to their deployment and distribution. Everything a developer needs to get started using the J2EE 1.4 platform, including the J2EE Tutorial and Java BluePrints, is available now for download.

The Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition version 1.4 is the most complete Web services platform ever. The platform features complete Web services support through the new JAX-RPC 1.1 API, which supports service endpoints based on servlets and enterprise beans. JAX-RPC 1.1 provides interoperability with Web services based on the WSDL and SOAP protocols. The J2EE 1.4 platform also supports the Web Services for J2EE specification (JSR 109), which defines deployment requirements for Web services and utilizes the JAX-RPC programming model. In addition to numerous Web services APIs, J2EE 1.4 platform also features support for the WS-I Basic Profile 1.0. This means that in addition to platform independence and complete Web services support, J2EE 1.4 offers platform Web services interoperability.

The J2EE 1.4 platform also introduces the J2EE Management 1.0 API, which defines the information model for J2EE management, including the standard Management EJB (MEJB). The J2EE Management 1.0 API uses the Java Management Extensions API (JMX). The J2EE 1.4 platform also introduces the J2EE Deployment 1.1 API, which provides a standard API for deployment of J2EE applications.

The J2EE platform now makes it easier to develop web front ends with enhancements to Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages (JSP) technologies. Servlets now support request listeners and enhanced filters. JSP technology has simplified the page and extension development models with the introduction of a simple expression language, tag files, and a simpler tag extension API, among other features. This makes it easier than ever for developers to build JSP-enabled pages, especially those who are familiar with scripting languages.

Other enhancements to the J2EE platform include the J2EE Connector Architecture, which provides incoming resource adapter and Java Message Service (JMS) pluggability. New features in Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) technology include Web service endpoints, a timer service, and enhancements to EJB QL and message driven beans. The J2EE 1.4 platform also includes enhancements to deployment descriptors. They are now defined using XML Schema which can also be used by developers to validate their XML structures.

The beta release relies on the Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition (J2SE)..." [adapted from the Beta download page]

About The Java Web Services Developer Pack (Java WSDP) Version 1.2 Technologies

• Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB). "JAXB gives Java developers an efficient and standard way of mapping between XML and Java code. Java developers using JAXB are more productive because they can write less code themselves and do not have to be experts in XML. JAXB makes it easier for developers to extend their applications with XML and Web Services technologies."

• Java API for XML Processing (JAXP). "JAXP supports processing of XML documents using DOM, SAX, and XSLT. JAXP enables applications to parse and transform XML documents independent of a particular XML processing implementation. Developers have the flexibility to swap between XML processors (such as high performance vs. memory conservative parsers, or to use a high performance XSLT implementation like XSLTC) without making application code change. A maintenance release added XML schema support into JAXP 1.2."

• Java API for XML-based RPC (JAX-RPC). "JAX-RPC enables Java technology developers to build Web applications and Web services incorporating XML-based RPC functionality according to the SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) 1.2 specification. This specification relies on SAAJ 1.2 to access the SOAP packet."

• SOAP with Attachments API for Java (SAAJ). "SAAJ enables developers to produce and consume messages conforming to the SOAP 1.2 specification and SOAP with Attachments note."

• Java API for XML Registries (JAXR). "JAXR provides a uniform and standard Java API for accessing different kinds of XML Registries. An XML registry is an enabling infrastructure for building, deploying, and discovering Web services; the two main registry specifications are the UDDI specification, which is being developed by a vendor consortium and the ebXML Registry and Repository standard, which is being developed by OASIS and U.N./CEFACT."

• JavaServer Faces (JSF). "JavaServer Faces technology simplifies building user interfaces for JavaServer applications. With the well-defined programming model that JavaServer Faces provides, developers of various skill levels can quickly and easily build web applications by: assembling reusable UI components in a page,connecting these components to an application data source, and wiring client-generated events to server-side event handlers."

• JavaServer Pages (JSP). "JSP pages uses XML-based tags and scriptlets written in the Java programming language to encapsulate the logic that generates the content for the page. Additionally, the application logic can reside in server-based resources (such as JavaBeans component architecture) that the page accesses. JSP technology is based on Servlets."

• JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library (JSTL). "JSTL encapsulates, as simple tags, core functionality common to many JSP applications. JSTL has support for common, structural tasks such as iteration and conditionals, tags for manipulating XML documents, internationalization tags, and SQL tags. It also introduces a new expression language to simplify page development, and it provides an API for developers to simplify the configuration of JSTL tags and the development of custom tags that conform to JSTL conventions. A production-quality implementation of JSTL is in the Java WSDP."

• Java Servlets. "Java Servlet technology provides Web developers with a simple, consistent mechanism for extending the functionality of a Web server and for accessing existing business systems. Servlets are the foundation for JSP and JSTL. The latest released version is Servlets 2.3, which includes the notion of Servlet filters and is part of J2EE v1.3. A production-quality Servlet container is available in the Java WSDP." [adapted from the Nutshell description]

From the Announcement

Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced the availability of a qualification release of the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.4 source code for licensees of the J2EE platform. Available less than one month after the WS-I Basic Profile was finalized, the source code delivers support for the final WS-I Basic Profile and includes the J2EE programming model for portable Web services applications. The source-code release includes compatibility tests, allowing J2EE licensees to make progress on implementing J2EE 1.4.

"With our partners and as a WS-I board member, Sun is leading the charge in supporting standards-compliant, Java Web Services platforms," said Jeff Jackson, vice president of Sun J2EE platform and application server engineering, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "Java and Web Services merge in J2EE 1.4 as the preferred platform for building enterprise-grade applications and the only available software environment that is platform independent and interoperable by design. The introduction of J2EE 1.4, with its support for more Web services standards and protocols than any other platform, is a prime example of Sun's leadership position in this space."

WS-I specifications are designed to ensure interoperability between different vendors' Web services products. Through the Java Community Process (JCP), Java provides open application programming interfaces (APIs) to provide enterprises with a choice and to keep developers from becoming dependent upon a single vendor's technology. Java developers can save time and money by working with standard APIs for XML (Extensible Markup Language) and Web Services, such as JAXP, JAXB, JAX-RPC and JAX-R, instead of proprietary APIs that may change from vendor to vendor. Java and XML technologies allow users to easily develop applications that can be seamlessly deployed across all major operating platforms, including Solaris, Linux and Windows.

In addition, Java developers won't be tasked with learning specific Web services specifications or acquiring WS-I interoperability expertise, because profile guidelines are included in Java platforms and development toolkits such as the Java Web Services Developer Pack (Java WSDP). The Java platform also enables IT organizations to leverage their current technology investments by providing simplified integration with applications and legacy systems, reducing cost and complexity within the organization.

As a board member of the WS-I organization, Sun is continuing to make key technological contributions to enhance the interoperability of Web services. To date, Sun has released several versions of its J2EE platform based on early WS-I specifications, such as Java Web Services Developer Pack 1.2 and J2EE 1.4 SDK Beta 2. Once J2EE 1.4 is finalized, Sun will release compatibility tests, source code and a software development toolkit (SDK). Java has long been the developer's choice for Web services, and J2EE 1.4 represents a culmination of work by the JCP and the technology industry to deliver the first platform to support the WS-I Basic Profile.