Sun frees Java source code into public domain Agence France-Presse
November 14, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO -- Sun Microsystems released its Java software to the developer community on Monday, in the growing trend toward open-source computer coding.
The Santa Clara, California firm released Java source code for its Platform Standard Edition and Platform Micro Edition as General Public License (GPL) into the public domain, gratis. All of the Java coding was to be public domain next year.
Developers can use or modify GPL software as they wish under the condition that any programs they create remain in the public domain.
Sun described the release of its previously proprietary Java to the open-source community as the largest code contribution of its kind.
Java software allows developers to create applications that can work with various operating systems on different computers and is used in devices ranging from mobile telephones and smart cards to business networks and supercomputers.
"We will inspire a new phase of developer collaboration and innovation ... and expect the Java platform to be the infrastructure for next-generation Internet, desktop, mobile and enterprise applications," said Sun vice president Rich Green.
Sun will work with distributors of the open-source GNU/Linux operating system, a pervasive free alternative to proprietary operating systems sold by companies such as Microsoft and Apple.
Sun made its Solaris operating system free in the open-source community last year as an option to Linux.
"Everyone has been expecting that one day Sun would open source Java technology, but no one expected just how far they'd go -- GPL," O'Reilly Media chief executive Tim O'Reilly said in a release.
"It's a bold move and a great opportunity both for Sun and for free and open source software."
Last week, Microsoft and Novell unveiled an alliance devoted to "building a bridge" between Microsoft's patent-protected software and Novell programs based on the free Linux system.
That announcement came after US business software powerhouse Oracle offered discounted support services for customers of Red Hat, a well known company specializing open-source software.
