Apache Geronimo passes Java test

The Apache Foundation's Geronimo project has passed an important Java compatibility test, paving the way for the third open-source Java application server on the market.

On Wednesday, engineers working on the Geronimo project said that they had passed the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) test compatibility kit version 1.4.1a--a suite of tests to ensure that a Java application server adheres to standards.

Completing the tests does not mean Geronimo has gained full certification with the J2EE standard, but it does indicate that the bulk of the development work is done.

Apache's Geronimo is a closely watched project among software developers and back-end software vendors. The endeavor was launched nearly two years ago to create an open-source Java application server--software to run Java programs, such as company Web sites--which will be freely available under the Apache license.

The profile of Geronimo in the industry rose substantially earlier this year, when IBM purchased Gluecode, a company that is building a suite of open-source Java server software around the Geronimo application server.

IBM said it intends to put its weight behind Geronimo in the hopes of making it the most popular low-end application server.

There are already two J2EE-certified open-source application servers: the JBoss application server and Jonas, which is being produced at the ObjectWeb nonprofit consortium.

On Monday, Sun Microsystems launched GlassFish, a project to create an open-source application server. When completed, it will be the platform edition of Sun's Java System Application Server version 9 and available with Sun's open-source Common Development and Distribution License.