SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 1996 — At the Microsoft(R) Professional * Developers Conference today Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) announced it has concluded an agreement to license Sun Microsystems’ (Nasdaq: SUNW) technology for Java for inclusion in Microsoft products. As part of this agreement Microsoft will develop and maintain the reference implementation of Java for Windows(R) platforms, such as the Windows(R)95 and Windows NT(R) operatingsystem.
Also at the conference, Microsoft demonstrated a number of Java- compatible technologies collectively code-named “Jakarta.” Technologies demonstrated included Java support in the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 Web browser using a built-in, high performance just-in-time (JIT) compiler; an integrated development tool Java; and integration of the Java language with industry-standard component object model (COM) objects through Microsoft ActiveX(TM) Technologies for the Internet and PC. Microsoft further outlined its plans for Java support, indicating that future versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows and Apple(R) Macintosh(R) will include the ability to run Java applets distributed through the World Wide Web. The company also outlined plans to create a high-productivity development tool for Java, based on its award-winning Developer Studio technology.
“Microsoft’s commitment to Java is both impressive and comprehensive, and this agreement makes them one of the leading Java supporters,” said Alan Baratz, Sun Microsystems President of JavaSoft. “Microsoft’s licensing of Java broadens support of the technology significantly.”
“Integrating the Java language with COM is something our customers and ISV partners think is extremely important,” said Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of Internet platforms and tools, at Microsoft. “It brings a whole new dimension to Java: a clear path for integration with existing applications, systems and technologies. It means that you don’t have to start over to take advantage of Java.”
Microsoft’s development tool for Java will be based on the company’s state-of-the-art Developer Studio environment, which includes built-in support for managing teams of developers. The company indicated that will include integrated project management, high-speed compilation, editing, browsing, wizards and browsers, and will benefit significantly from the productivity of Microsoft’s graphical debugger.
“Jakarta technology will provide a great way for our developer customers to create innovative applications for the Web,” said Bob Muglia, vice president of development tools at Microsoft. “We intend to be the premier supplier of Java-compatible tools to Internet developers.”
Microsoft’s development tool for Java is expected to be available by mid-1996.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. With annual revenues of $6 billion, Sun Microsystems, Inc. provides solutions that enable customers to build and maintain open network computing environments. Widely recognized as a proponent of open standards, the company is involved in the design, manufacture and sale of products, technologies and services for commercial and technical computing. Sun’s SPARC(TM) workstations, multiprocessing servers, SPARC microprocessors, Solaris operating software and ISO-certified service organization each rank No. 1 in the UNIX(R) industry. Founded in 1982, Sun is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and employs more than 14,000 people worldwide.
Additional information on Microsoft Corporation is available on the Internet at http://www.microsoft.com. Additional information on Sun Microsystems is available on the Internet at (http://www.sun.com) or, for Java information, (http://java.sun.com) Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Microsoft Windows, Windows NT and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.
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