Sun to Open Source Hotspot and Java Compiler in October

Sun has announced that the first open source Java code will be released in October. Laurie Tolson, vice president of developer programs and products at Sun, said at a company event that the first components include javac and the Hotspot VM. The remainder of the code will be open sourced by the end of 2007.

Sun has not yet decided what open source license the components will be released under, but re-emphasized the importance of maintaining compatibility. "Our primary focus is to be compatible, putting programs in place that people can rely on for compatible implementations of Java," said Tolson.

No decision has been made yet on which license will be used for open source Java, and Sun has set up a special Web site for developers to give feedback.