JBoss servers comply with standards

Open-source-software company JBoss is releasing updated editions of its Java application server and Web portal software, adding support for industry standards.

In July, JBoss intends to release the JBoss Application Server 4 and its database-access program, Hibernate 3. Both are designed to comply with the Enterprise Java Beans (EJB) 3.0 specification, a Java standard meant to make it easier to build server-side Java programs.

With the July release of its application server, JBoss will also introduce a plug-in to the open-source Eclipse development environment. The add-on is designed to make it easier for programmers to choose and install individual components from JBoss' server software suite, said Shaun Connolly, vice president of product management at JBoss.

"By supporting EJB 3 in the application server, you'll get dramatic simplification of the programming model," Connolly said.

The difficulty of programming Java, particularly server-based Java applications, has long been considered a problem for Java vendors as they seek to compete against Microsoft and simple development methods, such as scripting languages.

JBoss employees are on the technical committee of the EJB 3.0 specification, which is scheduled for finalization in the next month, Connolly said.

Earlier this week, JBoss released JBoss Portal 2.0, which adds support for the Java portlet specification. Adhering to that standard allows a corporate customer to run customized portal programs from other providers in the JBoss portal.

JBoss is a commercial open-source company that lets customers acquire its software for no charge. The company makes money by charging customers for support on an ongoing basis.

The company's application server has grown in popularity over the last few years, particularly with Java developers.

In the past year, the company has built out a broader line of open-source Java server software, rather than only its application server.

Connolly said JBoss intends to offer an open-source enterprise service bus (ESB) based on the Java Business Integration specification, also nearing completion.

Earlier this week, Iona Technologies donated its own Java-based ESB for integrating applications to the ObjectWeb open-source consortium.