Sun Microsystems has announced the Beta release for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6). Code-named Project Mustang, this release is the culmination of an industry-wide design effort, open review and unprecedented collaboration between Sun engineers and hundreds of developers. In addition to enhanced functionality for web services, diagnostics, and desktop applications, Java SE 6 software delivers the compatibility and stability customers can expect from a transparent development model. The Java SE 6 software is now, more than ever, the platform of choice for vendors and developers.

"With expanded scripting language and web services support, the Java SE 6 software is clearly emerging as the next generation platform for Web 2.0 applications and services. The Beta version has been extensively tested and is now ready for a wider base of developers who want to take advantage of the latest features but don't want to be 'bleeding edge,'" said Jeff Jackson, Vice President, Java Developer Platform and Strategy, Sun Microsystems. "Developers are encouraged to start testing projects and applications now, and provide their own feedback for the final version of the Java SE 6 software."

Web 2.0 : The Java SE 6 software accelerates developer innovation in a world where the web is the platform. A new framework for scripting languages, such as PHP and JavaScript(TM) technology, simplifies leveraging Java technology from all the latest scripting engines. In addition, the Java SE 6 software includes a full web services client stack. With support for the latest web services specifications, such as JAX-WS 2.0 and JAXB 2.0, creating and publishing new web services on the Java SE software is easier than ever before.

Diagnostics, Monitoring, and Management : Java SE 6 software provides expanded tools for diagnosing, managing and monitoring applications. The Java SE 6 software also includes expanded support for DTrace, a comprehensive dynamic tracing framework for the Solaris 10 Operating System. In addition, the Java SE 6 software further increases ease of development with tool interface updates for the Java Virtual Machine(1) and the Java Platform Debugger Architecture (JPDA).

Desktop Enhancements: The Java SE 6 software also delivers significant improvements to the desktop. Through tighter integration with native desktop facilities, Java applications now better emulate native platform look and feel, text printing, drag and drop capabilities and table display and manipulation. The Java SE 6 software is also planned to provide support for the upcoming version of Windows Vista.

Compatibility : A top priority for the Java SE 6 software is to protect developers' current and future investments by helping to ensure compatibility. Developers are encouraged to get involved through an extensive beta cycle and through the "Regressions Challenge"contest. The contest encourages developers to look for and submit compatibility issues for the opportunity to win a Sun Ultra 20 workstation

Transparency: Project Mustang leverages simplified licenses, weekly source and binary snapshots, a contribution process, active forums and blogs to enable participation and make development of the Java SE 6 software transparent.

Developers are encouraged to try out all the latest features in Java SE 6 software Beta using the NetBeans Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 5.0 software tools via download at http://www.netbeans.org. and the upcoming release of Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 (Java EE 5). NetBeans.org provides an open source, high performance, modular, extensible, multi-platform Java IDE to accelerate the development of Java SE 6 software-based applications, web services and mobile applications. Java EE technology provides web services, component model, management, and communications APIs that make it the industry standard for implementing enterprise class service-oriented architecture (SOA) and web 2.0 applications