To: KJ. Moy who wrote (15318 ) 3/20/1998 2:57:00 PM From: Alan Aronoff Respond to of 29386
Sun says H-P Java "clone" validates Java SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 (Reuters) - Sun Microsystems Inc said that Hewlett-Packard Co's version of the Java programming language is a validation of the importance of Java to the computer industry. Sun also said it believes H-P is making a clone of Java, compatible with Sun's specifications, and that Sun will compete with H-P to make sure its version of Java is better. Earlier, H-P said it will market its own version of the Java virtual machine software for embedded systems. Java virtual machine software enables any system to run the Java programming language, which is designed to run on many systems.(Big Diss Alert <g>)... "Our copyrights say they can build a clone," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president of software products at Sun. "I don't mind playing Intel if they want to play AMD," he added, referring to semiconductor giant Intel Corp and its rival Advance Micro Devices Inc , which makes Intel compatible clone processors. Sun said that contrary to Microsoft's version of Java, which Sun says is not compatible with Sun's, the H-P version is expected to be an exact clone. Sun is suing Microsoft in federal court because its version is not compliant with Sun's. "(H-P) said they are building a clone," Kannegaard said. "If they are building something that isn't a clone, that's stupid," Kannegaard said. Sun said it was too early to say definitively if H-P's version is an exact clone, because they have not seen the software yet. For now, Sun has to take H-P at face value, Sun said. In a press release earlier Friday, H-P said, "HP's independently developed virtual machine is a tailored implementation compliant with the Java virtual machine specification intended for use in electronics devices or appliances and in other embedded systems." When asked if H-P's move will create a further rift in the Java platform, which was created to "write once, run anywhere," Kannegaard said H-P's move was good for software developers. "It's not a problem for Java developers," he said. "It just means there will be more Java.... I have a lot of confidence in my engineering team to produce the Java that people want to buy. It's not a problem. I have to be better." In the Wall Street Journal Friday, H-P said that Sun's "excessive" licensing fees were one of its motivating factors in creating its own strain of Java for embedded systems. Embedded systems refers to devices that have only one function, such as a television set-top box or a printer. "Almost everyone in the consumer devices arena has licensed Java from us and we have come to terms in pricing," Kannegaard said. "If H-P has a gripe about pricing, we are happy to negotiate with H-P." Kannegaard said that H-P's move validates Java, especially in the low-end consumer device arena. H-P has already signed up its first licensee of its version of Java, Sun foe Microsoft Corp . Microsoft said it will be using H-P's version of the Java virtual machine with its Windows CE operating system and other products. Windows CE is Microsoft's operating system for handheld devices. "If there was any doubt about Java's importance in the low-end of the spectrum, the doubts are no longer there," Kannegaard said.