IBM and BEA Systems on Tuesday disclosed they are working jointly on three new specifications for the Java platform, responding to pressure by developers and users to bring their respective applications server platforms closer together.
The three new specifications, which include Service Data Objects, Work Manager for Application Servers, and Timer for Applications Servers, are all intended to increase much-needed applications portability across the applications servers of both companies.
"Some users, and certainly ISV partners, have been instrumental in showing us the light. They both have been innovating in a number of areas around Java APIs, and they have been looking for some commonality. [Users] encouraged us to get together and collaborate more closely to find some convergence," said Scott Dietzen, BEA's CTO.
While executives from both companies said they do not expect to deliver server products that take advantage of the new specifications for about a year, they are releasing the information to developers now so that they have enough time to digest the technology and properly implement it.
"The rationale for publishing the specs now is that at least a core segment of our users and developers do not want to wait until these things formally become Java standards because the typical runway for a Java standard is between one and two years long," said Rod Smith, vice president in charge of IBM's Internet and emerging technologies.
Many arch rivals of both companies, including Sun Microsystems and Oracle, have yet to pledge their support for these proposed standards.
"It will be interesting to see how this is perceived in the context of it being a departure from the Java Community Process. I think there may be some vendors who will be unhappy with this," said Stephen O'Grady, a senior analyst with RedMonk
Perhaps the most important of three standards being proposed, according to IBM and BEA officials, is the one for Service Data Objects. It provides a unifying programming model for data from heterogeneous data sources, including relational databases, XML data sources, Web services, and a range of different enterprise information systems. It offers a simpler programming model that also supports best-practice application design patterns, according to company executives.
"This is the one that will address a difficult problem the object-oriented world has been dealing with for some time. We have spent years building different frameworks that all continue to evolve. It is a significant piece of work that will help J2EE standards and our users," Smith said.
The Work Manager for application server supports concurrent execution of work items. It enables J2EE-based applications, including servlets and EJBs to better schedule multiple work items to be carried out at the same time. This results in increased throughput and increased response time for applications.
The Timer for Applications Servers offers a simple API for setting timers in an application server-supported way. This makes it possible for J2EE-based applications to schedule future timer notifications and to receive timer notifications.
More information on the specifications as well as a white paper called "Next Generation Data Programming Service Data Objects" are available at http://dev2dev.bea.com/technologies/commonj/index.jsp or www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/j-commonj-sdowmt
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
Recommend This
