Sun Microsystems and Inprise on Thursday will announce plans to jointly develop a version of the Java 2 Platform for Linux, sources close to the companies said. The cooperative effort demonstrates that both companies believe Linux is rapidly becoming a legitimate operating system in the enterprise.

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The proposed version would enable developers to develop and deploy Java applications significantly faster for Linux-based servers. It would also simplify the process of moving existing Java-based applications to Linux, officials from the two companies said.

Both companies will say the deal represents a natural progression in their relationship, and demonstrates Inprise's continued commitment to developing for Linux, according to sources. Officials are expected to say they believe the deal represents a major effort towards maintaining open and standards-based network architectures where the Linux OS and Java 2 play an integral role.

"This should enable Linux users to take advantage of the many diverse applications that exist in the network economy without succumbing to a proprietary environment," Dale Fuller, interim president and CEO of Inprise, located in Scotts Valley, Calif., is expected to say in a prepared statement.

Earlier this year Inprise announced a free download of the beta JBuilder Just-In-Time compiler for Linux. Sun will license that compiler from Inprise in order to complete the Java 2 software developer's kit. In return Sun will supply the Java 2 software developer's kit (SDK) source code to Inprise in order to allow Inprise to offer tight integration between the SDK and JBuilder for Linux.

The first release of the port is expected to be available at developer.java.sun.com/developer/early/Access/j2sdk122| developer.java.sun.com/developer/early/Access/j2sdk122. The upcoming product will be a part of Inprise's JBuilder environment. Sun and Inprise officials tomorrow are expected to announce that the final version of the product will be available in early 2000.

Inprise Corp., in Scotts Valley, Calif., is at www.inprise.com. Sun Microsystems Inc., in Mountain View, Calif., is at www.sun.com.