Open-Source Java Brewing In BrazilOpen-Source Java Brewing In Brazil

A Brazilian government-supported group is working to create an open-source version of the Java programming language, according to one of the developers leading the initiative.

The work is part of the Brazilian government's Javali project, intended to give the country's government and private sector the means to create a completely open-source technology infrastructure. Javali currently includes ten open-source projects, including development tools, workflow and content management systems, Portuguese-language documentation and even a digital television standard.

The Brazilian government has been a leading open-source proponent in recent years. The country's federal government, along with a number of state and city governments, have mandated the use of open-source products wherever possible. Last month, the Brazilian government and IBM also signed an agreement to establish a joint Linux and open-source education, training and research center in the capital city of Brasilia.

According to Bruno Souza, president of the Brazilian Java Users' Society, the Brazilian government is actively recruiting developers and providing material support to the three month-old open-source Java project. The goal, he said, is to develop an open-source Java virtual machine as well as a complete set of client-side Java class libraries.

"The best way for us to achieve technological freedom is to have open-source technologies that are built on open standards," Souza said. "Since the government is already using Java as a basis for its initiatives, we saw the need to focus on creating an open-source version of Java."

Souza said Javali developers are working with existing open-source Java projects, including the Kaffe and GNU Kissme virtual machine efforts as well as the GNU Classpath initiative to create a full set of J2SE class libraries. "Classpath is already about 70 percent complete on Java version 1.4, and we have several developers working with them to see where we can help to finish the project," Souza said. "These are the most complete and stable open-source Java implementations, and this is where we can provide the most assistance."

So far, Souza said, Javali is focusing on creating a complete implementation of the Java 1.4 standard, although project developers also plan to recreate the recent J2SE 5.0 specification. "Like most open-source projects, it's done when it's done," Souza said. "But if we can finish a complete implementation by the end of next year, it would certainly give us a lot of momentum."

The group, according to Souza, also intends to certify its Java implementation with Sun's Java Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK)--an important but potentially expensive process that has deterred other open-source projects. Although Souza said the non-profit Javali effort might qualify for a Sun scholarship to cover the costs of TCK testing, he also stated that the Brazilian government and private-sector firms would cover the cost of TCK certification if necessary.

Souza also stated that Javali has maintained strong ties both with the Java Community Process (JCP), as well as with Sun itself. "We have been participating in the JCP, and we have also been talking with people inside Sun," Souza said. "The Brazilian government has also played an active role in the JCP, and we're in a good position to ensure that we maintain complete compatibility with current and future Java releases."

"It would be great if Sun released Java as open source, but ultimately I think it's the community's responsibility to create an open-source implementation, if that's what we want," Souza stated. "There are a lot of skilled developers doing a great job of implementing various Java specs as open source, but in many cases people in the open-source community don't even consider their work."