Java Tools Community formed

Eleven software companies, led by Sun Microsystems and BEA Systems , on Tuesday unveiled the Java Tools Community (JTC), which is intended to promote interoperability of Java-based tools.

Absent from the mix, however, are major Java tools vendors IBM and Borland Software

Featuring members of the Java Community Process (JCP), the JTC hopes to promote the concept of "toolability," which is being defined as a measurement of how easy it is to build tools around a particular standard or technology. Developers through the work of the JTC will be able to more easily use Java technology to build Java applications, thus increasing the rate of Java adoption, according to JTC.

The JTC will work to make standard Java technology APIs friendlier for tool development and will promote adoption and advancement of Java Specification Requests.

Other founding vendors include Compuware , Embarcadero Technologies , Iopsis Software, JetBrains , Oracle , SAP , and SAS.

JTC members stressed the organisation would complement the work of the Eclipse open source Java tools initiative, which has been led by IBM. Sun has declined to participate in Eclipse. Organisations such as SAP participate in both the JTC and Eclipse, JTC members noted.