Sun's Phipps calls for Java Cloud standard

Simon Phipps, Sun's Chief Open Source Officer, has called for a standard to be developed for Java on cloud platforms. Phipps made a remark in passing on his blog about how Google's App Engine for Java used a sub-set of the Java API's. He was subsequently surprised by the reaction to his "pithy microblogging comment" and has now responded more fully.

He says he is "delighted" that Google are supporting Java on App Engine, and says he believes that Google's sub-set approach comes from them not having made everything safe in the sandbox. He hopes that Google will approach full compatibility as they move out of alpha. More importantly though, Phipps feels that Google's move brings to the fore the issue that there is no standard or profile for Java on cloud platforms.

He worries that if each cloud vendor uses a different sub-set of Java for their platform "we will be left in the same ugly position we have with Java on mobile phones where the specification doesn't go deep enough and forces applications to be re-factored for every platform". Phipps calls on Google, as they have already worked on the problem, to "show leadership and a commitment to openness" and take their sub-set to the JCP and join a working group to establish a new profile for cloud based Java.

(djwm)