News
Java back in XP for now
- By Jack Vaughan
- July 2, 2002
After a hiatus, Microsoft said it would make Java part of Windows. The
company will package its Java Virtual Machine (JVM) software in the upcoming
Service Pack 1 update to Windows XP, but the company does not plan to include a
JVM in future versions of Windows. The move comes in response to a Sun
Microsystems' lawsuit.
In March, Sun launched a suit seeking preliminary injunctions requiring
Microsoft to distribute Sun's Java plug-in as part of Windows XP and Internet
Explorer. Sun does not endorse Microsoft's JVM, which is based on an early
version of Java.
Microsoft spokesperson Jim Cullinan said the company made its decision due to
Sun's most recent lawsuit.
Microsoft decided to remove an existing JVM installation-on-demand feature in
Windows XP and include its own JVM in the service pack ''in order to take
another of Sun's complaints off the table,'' Cullinan said in a statement.
In the early days of Java, the two companies forged an agreement for
Microsoft to offer a JVM. Distrust and lawsuits followed. Microsoft's stated
plan to eventually remove Java from Windows could still change, based on future
negotiations between the feuding companies.
About the Author
Jack Vaughan is former Editor-at-Large at Application Development Trends magazine.