Sun Gets Closer To Open Source Java

Filed in archive Application Development on August 15, 2006

Some good news! Sun Microsystems is planning to publish its first open source Java code in October itself. In this initial step the company would be releasing Java C and the Hotspot VM. By the end of 2007 it would be open sourcing the remaining code. The company is still contemplating about the license under which it would be releasing the technology and for this purpose it has come up with a website regarding Open Sourcing the JDK in order to solicit feedback from developers.

The company has also gone ahead and expanded its open source Java initiative with the Java ME technology that enables cell phones to run Java Code. It is still unclear as to whether the Java mobile version would find a place in its open source initiative.

Since a long time Sun had been accused as a proprietary company which was not willing to release its open code. This step would certainly change the perception about the company. The reason that was stated for refusing to open source stating was that Java could turn into incompatible versions but now the need for open source software is greater and forking is not an overriding concern now.