Sun Microsystems has released the beta for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 6 (Java SE 6). Code-named Project Mustang, this release is the culmination of an industry-wide design effort, open review and unprecedented collaboration
between Sun engineers and hundreds of developers, Sun said.

“With expanded scripting language and web services support, the Java SE 6 software is clearly emerging as the next generation platform for Web 2.0 applications and services. The Beta version has been extensively tested and is now ready for a wider base of developers who want to take advantage of the latest features but don't want to be 'bleeding edge,'” said Jeff Jackson (pictured), Vice President, Java Developer Platform and Strategy, Sun Microsystems. “Developers are encouraged to start testing projects and applications now, and provide their own feedback for the final version of the Java SE 6 software.”

Sun is targeting leading-edge "Web 2.0" application development with Java SE 6, "a world where the web is the platform," in the words of an official release.  The Java SE 6 software includes a full web services client stack, with support for the latest web services specifications, such as JAX-WS 2.0 and JAXB 2.0.

Java SE 6 software also provides expanded tools for diagnosing, managing and monitoring applications. The Java SE 6 software also includes expanded support for DTrace, a comprehensive dynamic tracing framework for the Sun's Solaris 10 Operating System. In addition, the Java SE 6 software further increases ease of development with tool interface updates for the Java Virtual Machine and the Java Platform Debugger Architecture (JPDA), according to Sun.

Sun says the Java SE 6 software also "delivers significant improvements to the desktop. Through tighter integration with native desktop facilities, Java applications now better emulate native platform look and feel, text printing, drag and drop capabilities and table display and manipulation."

The company said compatibility has been a top priority, and that developers are encouraged to get involved through an extensive beta cycle and through the “Regressions Challenge”contest. The contest encourages developers to look
for and submit compatibility issues for the opportunity to win a Sun Ultra  20 workstation. The contest runs through March 31, 2006, and developers are encouraged to submit their entries at https://mustang.dev.java.net/regchal/