PRNewswire -- Sun Microsystems today announced the early access availability of two key Java technology application programming interfaces (APIs) for the Extensible Markup Language (XML): the Java API for XML Messaging (JAXM) and the Java API for XML Parsing (JAXP). Both APIs are downloadable free of charge through Sun's Java Developer Connection Connection at http://java.sun.com/jdc/. More information on Sun's historical and present work with XML can be found at http://www.sun.com/xml.

These two APIs, along with the Java API for XML Data Binding (JAXB), form the core of XML support in the Java 2 platform. JAXB, formerly called Project Adelard is nearing completion through the Java Community Process (JCP) program. These Java technologies for XML give developers a powerful, easy-to-use API tool set for developing and deploying Java technology-based applications that harness the synergies of the Java platform's portable code and XML's portable data. With the delivery of JAXM, JAXP, and the forthcoming JAXB, Sun is providing essential XML functionality to Java technology developers and continuing to deliver on its vision of simplifying development of network-centric applications based on open industry standards. All three technologies are being developed through the JCP program, the open, community-based organization that stewards the evolution of the Java platform. JAXP, JAXM and JAXB are expected to be included in the next releases of the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE).

"The Java platform and XML are two open industry standards that together are enabling the world of B2B Ecommerce, which will allow enterprises to greatly simplify and lower the cost of information sharing and data exchange," stated George Paolini, vice president, Technology Evangelism, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "The early access availability of these key Java technologies means developers can get a jumpstart on developing next generation B2B applications."

JAXM: Enabling B2B Messaging Through Support of the ebXML Standard
The early access implementation of JAXM, known by the code name "The M Project," enables the packaging, routing and transport of both XML and non-XML business messages across a number of key communications infrastructures, such as those based on HTTP, SMTP, and FTP protocols. By supporting industry standard packaging and an asynchronous messaging model, Java technology programmers will be able to easily and quickly build robust, reliable, and secure B2B Ecommerce applications with JAXM. JAXM will support a variety of XML messaging methods, such as the evolving XML messaging standard being defined in the ebXML framework. ebXML is intended to provide a global standard for simple, robust, low-cost trade facilitation and is a joint development effort between OASIS and the UN/CEFACT (United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business). Sun is involved in defining ebXML and is contributing to multiple working groups, such as the Transport/Routing & Packaging (TR&P) group, and leading the Proof-of-Concept working group.

The draft specification for JAXM is available through the JCP, the projected final shipping date of JAXM is early 2001, pending JCP and ebXML specification availability. Sun hopes to make the final reference implementation of JAXM available to developers through a credible open source organization, such as the Apache Software Foundation.

JAXP: Supporting Latest XML Standards
JAXP enables the reading, manipulating, and generating XML documents through Java APIs by providing a standard way to seamlessly integrate any XML-compliant parser with a Java technology-based application. JAXP v 1.1 supports the latest XML standards, including: the Document Object Model (DOM) level 2, a W3C recommendation that was released last month; Simple API for XML (SAX) level 2, the industry standard for XML parsing; and XSL Transformations (XSLT), an integrated XML transformation standard defined by the W3C.

With JAXP, developers have the flexibility to swap XML parsers depending on the needs of the application without actually changing any code. One XML parser that could be used is "Crimson," which was developed at Sun and donated to the Apache Software Foundation. Crimson is used as the default XML parser with JAXP v 1.1; however, the technology's pluggable architecture allows any XML-conformant parser to be used, including the existing xml.apache.org XML parser, code named Xerces, or the forthcoming Xerces 2, a "best of breed" parser now in development.

For more information on the Apache Software Foundation's XML parser project, please visit http://www.xml.apache.org.

The draft specification for JAXP is available through the JCP, and the projected final shipping date of JAXP is calendar Q1 2001.

JAXB: Simplifying Creation of XML and Java Technology-Based Applications
JAXB, formerly Project Adelard, will enable Java technology developers to deliver and maintain high-performance XML-enabled applications with a minimum of development effort. JAXB provides two-way mapping between XML documents and Java technology-based objects along with a schema compiler tool. The compiler will automatically generate Java technology classes from XML schemas without requiring developers to write any complex parsing code. In addition, the compiler will contain automatic error and validity of checking of XML messages, helping to ensure that only valid, error-free messages are accepted and processed by a system. With JAXB, developers will be able to more easily develop and deploy Java technology-based applications that leverage XML and enterprises will also cut costs through more productive development.

The draft specification for JAXB is available from JCP website as JSR 31, and pending the approval of the JAXB specification by the JCP, JAXB is expected to be shipped Q1 2001.

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