JavaOne: Sun, Zend push scripting for Java

June 12, 2003 — Sun Microsystems is working with numerous industry partners including Oracle, Macromedia, and Zend Technologies to support the use of scripting languages in its Java platform.

Sun and Zend are leading the effort, which, if successful, will create a way for developers to write Java applications using popular scripting languages like PHP, ECMAscript, and Active Server Pages.

Oracle, Macromedia, Zend, and Sun began the effort on May 19 by forming a group within Sun’s Java Community Process (JCP) standardization program. On June 9, the JCP’s Executive Committee gave the group approval to begin work on an official Java standard, called Java Specification Request 223.

“We’re really now for the first time seeing scripting and Java working together with the support of Sun,” said Tim O’Reilly, chief executive officer of O’Reilly & Associates, speaking of the effort at this week’s JavaOne conference in San Francisco.

At its worldwide Java developer conference this week, Sun has repeatedly stated its desire to bring another 7 million Java developers into the fold. This scripting effort could move Sun closer toward that total, according to O’Reilly, who predicted that by embracing the scripting community, Sun could boost its number of Java developers by another 3 million.

The only scripting community actively involved in the effort right now, however, is the PHP community, which includes 500,000 developers, according to Zend.

Zend, which sells a commercial version of PHP, approached Sun about doing the work and has been a major contributor to the specification, said Sun’s J2SE (Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition) Product Line Manager Karin Shipe. “It was very much a joint effort between Zend and Sun.

“We did spend a lot of time focusing on the platform,” continued Shipe. “Now we’re turning our focus so that we can beef up the language side of Java.”

The two companies expect to produce a reference implementation, based on PHP, a specification, and a Technology Compatibility Kit within a year.