Sun Releases Upgrade Of Java Platform Standard EditionSun Releases Upgrade Of Java Platform Standard Edition

Sun Microsystems on Monday launched version six of the Java Platform Standard Edition, which includes new application programming interfaces for integrating Java with other languages.

Java SE 6, the result of two years of development between Sun and 330 outside developers, has been optimized for building Web 2.0 applications and services. The platform includes a Web services client stack and supports the latest specifications, such as JAX-WS 2.0, JAXB 2.0, STAX, and JAXP.

In using the new APIs, developers can integrate Java technology with PHP, Python, Ruby and JavaScript. Sun, which has created a collection of scripting engines, has pre-configured the Rhino JavaScript engine in Java SE 6.

The platform upgrade also provides enhanced support for Microsoft Windows Vista, which was released to businesses last month. The consumer version is set to ship in January. "We have worked very closely with Sun through the development process to ensure continued compatibility and interoperability between Java technology, Windows and the latest versions of Internet Explorer," Brad Goldberg, general manager for Windows Client at Microsoft, said in a statement.

Sun recently announced that it would open source Java under the GPLv2 license. The Linux operating system is also covered by the GPL, or General Public License.