Sun sets Pure Java standard

The Java Soft initiative has won backing from most industry bigwigs

Sun subsidiary Java Soft is aiming to standardise its programming technology after setting up an initiative which has won support from the big industry players, except Microsoft.

Announced at the Java One conference in San Francisco, the 100 per cent Pure Java initiative will provide a standardised label for applications written in the Java language.

To obtain the right to use the brand, suppliers will have to submit their Java applications for testing and certification by an independent company, Utah-based Keylabs, at a cost of $1,150 a shot.

Java Soft plans to introduce educational and consulting programmes later this year that application developers can use to help them through the testing process, which takes between five and 10 days.

Applications will be tested on IBM, Hewlett Packard, Sun and Apple hardware.

The 100 per cent initiative was backed by leading indus- try players, including IBM, Oracle, Netscape and Novell, but not Microsoft.

Java Soft president Alan Baratz admitted that while MS had adhered to the principles of 100 per cent Pure Java, he did not know whether this would continue. ?The only point at which we get uncomfortable is when there are extensions that are locked into proprietary Microsoft APIs,? he said.

At the conference, Microsoft announced enhancements to its application foundation classes, which it insisted are cross platform and not proprietary. Enterprise libraries will be introduced that can link Java programmes with directory and transaction services.