On November 13, 2006, Sun released its implementations of Java technology as free software under the GNU General Public License version two (GPLv2). Sun has released the code for the:

• JavaTM Platform, Standard Edition (J2SETM platform, now called the JavaTM SE)

• JavaTM Platform, Micro Edition (J2METM, now called the JavaTM ME)

Sun released the source code for the Java HotSpot virtual machine, the Java programming language compiler (javac), and JavaHelp online help software. In the first half of 2007, Sun plans to release a fully buildable Java SE Development Kit (JDK) based almost entirely on open-source code.

Sun released the source code for Sun's Java ME Feature Phone implementation based on Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) and the source code for the Java ME testing and compatibility kit (TCK) framework. Late in 2006, Sun plans to release additional source code for the Advanced Operating System Phone implementation for based on the Connected Device Configuration (CDC) specification and the framework for the Java Device Test Suite.

One of the goals of making Java open source is to help developers create applications faster. There are pre-built projects available from the NetBeansTM web site at netbeans.org. The NetBeans IDE supports Java EE, Java SE and Java ME.

Rich Green, EVP of Software at Sun, commented on the release saying, "By open sourcing Sun's implementation of Java technology, we will inspire a new phase of developer collaboration and innovation using the NetBeans IDE and expect the Java platform to be the foundation infrastructure for next generation Internet, desktop, mobile and enterprise applications. With the JDK released as free software under the GPL, Sun will be working closely with distributors of the GNU/Linux operating system, who will soon be able to include the JDK as part of the open source repositories that are commonly included with GNU/Linux distributions."

"By open sourcing its Java implementations, Sun will open new market opportunities, fuel innovation and drive broader adoption of this Web 2.0 platform while minimizing fragmentation in the mobile community by delivering a consistent application platform across devices," according to Sun. Sun's feature news page has more on the opportunities for developers.

According to SD Times, "Sun said that, currently, it has identified three pieces of the JDK that are incompatible with the GPL: the font rasterization engine, the graphics rasterization engine and the color matching facilities. These three components will be included in the open-source JDK as compiled binaries, and Sun hopes that the open-source community will quickly replace them with open-source alternatives."

An FAQ list addresses why Sun chose GPL v2 + Classpath exception is available online. [...read more...]

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