Scheduled for delivery early next year, Java Blend was co-developed with the Baan Company N.V. , an enterprise software vendor. It then automatically and transparently turns Java objects and structures into analogous database constructs-all during runtime. And it works the other way as well, according to Kannegaard. This will allow companies to move existing applications to Java with much greater ease. Although Java Blend will not be available until next year, Sun has set up a n early access program.
Developers can sign up for the program online now.
Software AG is set to reinforce the bridge between Microsoft ActiveX and Java with a new version of iXpress. Novell Inc. is not changing its logo at Java Internet Business Expo, nor is it hocking a new mantra. Java developers willing to align themselves with Novell. Using Novell's NDS API for Java, developers can write Java programs that leverage NDS' network-centric set of capabilities. For example, an applet could use NDS to provide a very robust set of authentication routines for either a user or an application.