Sun edges closer to open-source Java: "Sun has launched a portal site for its Java programming language, part of the company's move to make the Java code open-source. August 15, 2006 (IDG News Service) -- Sun Microsystems Inc. launched a portal site for its Java programming language today as it inches closer to making the Java code open-source, a company executive said.

The Web site details the company's efforts to make open-source the first bits of the Java SE (Standard Edition) implementation, known as the Java Development Kit (JDK), said Simon Phipps, Sun's chief open-source officer. The site is also a forum for input on the best way to take Java to open-source, he said.

"I don't think that I or any of the people in Sun's Java organization know how to take Java and make it into a successful open-source community," Phipps said. "We've got ideas. We're fairly confident that it's possible, but we really need the advice and insight of the existing communities to help us get to that place."

Sun's move is part of a broad company restructuring following the replacement in April of co-founder Scott McNealy with Jonathan Schwartz as CEO. Sun has undertaken several other open-source projects, including its operating system with OpenSolaris and the open-source tools platform NetBeans.