Sun seeks a life beyond Java

Sun Microsystems is targeting ebusiness with the release of an XML compiler that extends its application development tools beyond Java.

The Sun eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformation compiler helps applications translate extensible markup language (XML) scripts into Java code that can then be executed by web-based applications.

Sun sees XML, which makes data portable, and Java, which makes code portable, as complementary technologies. The initiative is also a reaction to Microsoft's launch of the C# (C sharp) programming language. Microsoft says that C# makes it easier to work with XML by eliminating much of the computer code that developers had to write in other languages.

Jon Collins, a senior analyst at Bloor Research, said that XML is becoming a standard language for computers to talk together at a business level, but he believes Sun's announcement is more about marketing than technology.

"This doesn't sound particularly world beating. Interoperability has to be the key and not translation," he said.

Sun's agreement with internet software and portal company Bolero also aims to provide its customers with access to a global ebusiness infrastructure. Sun will create a bolero.net Java plug-in for its iPlanet subsidiary that will allow direct access to the Bolero system and exchange trade data and documents internationally.

The announcements form part of Sun's intention to move further into ebusiness by offering customers complete ecommerce solutions and by adapting XML.

Nigel Woodward, business development director at Sun, said: "As the volume of internet commerce rises, the focus has shifted to real world commercial concepts such as signature, contract, authorisation, liability and dispute resolution."

First published in Network News