Sun to Open-source Java

Not to start the war again, but there are some signs that Sun may 
open-source Java and Solaris in the next 2 years or so. (courtesy 
slashdot.org).


http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/0,2000061733,39149502,00.htm

(Hopefully now I wont be thrown out of ilug meetings :)

Some excerpts:

Sun has backed up an announcement that its Solaris server operating 
system will have an open source flavour by making a similar promise for 
its Java technology.

  Speaking exclusively to Builder AU, Sun's Java technology evangelist 
Raghavan Srinivas said an open source version of Java "will happen," 
but declined to elaborate on timelines or specifics of licence 
arrangements.


"We haven't worked out how to open-source Java -- but at some point it 
will happen," Srinivas said. However, he noted "it might be today, 
tomorrow or two years down the road".

  It is believed to be the first time Sun has explicitly stated its 
intention to open-source Java. Sun representatives have previously been 
quoted as saying the Java technology is "open enough" under it's 
current format. Some have described any additional moves as "weird," 
encouraging incompatible standards.

  The Java community is split over whether open-sourcing Java is 
beneficial.

  Earlier this year, free- and open-source advocates Eric Raymond and 
Richard Stallman called on Sun to open source the Java technology for 
greater acceptance within the developer community and freedom to 
exploit its potential. Big Blue, who arguably have a greater financial 
interest in the Java platform than Sun, have also called on Sun to 
open-source Java.

  However, others, including Sun, believe the main hurdle and concern is 
the future of the Java brand and compatibility. The main fear is that 
Java technologies could be forked and the "write once, run anywhere" 
attraction to Java will be lost, making use of the programming language 
and platform less attractive. Many see the current Java Community 
Process (JCP), that entails the evolution of Java by industry experts 
from Sun, IBM, Nokia and BEA to name a few, as an imperfect but 
necessary process.


--
Regards
Rahul Kumar

Pryor's Observation:
  	How long you live has nothing to do
  	with how long you are going to be dead.