Aqris's RefactorIT and Sun's Forte for Java IDE Deliver First Fully Integrated Refactoring Browser; Aqris Joins Forte for Java Extension Partner Program

Business Wire, March 14, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

TALLINN, Estonia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2002

Aqris, a software company specializing in Java(TM) technology, today announced that its RefactorIT(TM) product is being integrated with Sun Microsystems' Forte(TM) for Java(TM) integrated development environment (IDE) to provide the industry's first fully integrated refactoring system on the Forte for Java platform. Refactoring is a technique that can improve the performance of applications and streamline code for better efficiency and maintainability.

In addition, Aqris has joined the Forte for Java Extension Partner Program, providing Aqris an introduction to one of the largest Java technology communities. The program assists independent software vendors (ISVs) in extending the Forte for Java IDE with complementary products, providing customers with a broader choice of innovative technologies that build on the core product.

Simply put, RefactorIT helps developers improve code after it has been written. With RefactorIT, a developer can take source code of any size and complexity, and rework it into well-designed code by means of refactoring. Refactoring is a favored practice of Extreme Programming, the best practices of high-productivity development. (For further information on extreme programming, see //c2.com/cgi/wiki?ExtremeProgramming)

"The integration of RefactorIT with the Forte for Java IDE enables developers to get a crystal clear picture of their source code, identify bad code constructs and refactor them on the spot," said Oliver Wihler, CEO of Aqris. "RefactorIT has been in public beta testing since November 2001 and has since attracted hundreds of beta testers. Integrating our RefactorIT with Sun's Forte for Java development platform improved the quality of beta testing by giving us access to a broader developer community. This was an important step in our path to the commercial release in the second quarter of 2002."

RefactorIT increases developer productivity on the basis of a comprehensive refactoring engine featuring smart query functions that let the developer identify bad code constructs quickly and reliably. The developer may then choose from a number of the most useful refactorings to improve the source code step by step in a safe and intuitive way. Refactoring is a technique for restructuring code in a disciplined way and is best explained in Martin Fowler's book, 'Refactoring.'

"Refactoring improves code re-usability, which makes it easier to quickly deliver new services. The rapid delivery of Java tools -- written in the Java language -- provides an increasingly robust development environment for enterprise systems," said Arthur Gould, Manager of Business Development, Developer Web Services, Sun Microsystems. "ISVs are able to quickly deliver the most innovative software development tools by building on the NetBeans platform."

About Sun's Forte for Java IDE

The Forte for Java IDE is a core component of the Sun Open Net Environment (Sun ONE), which is Sun's vision, architecture, platform and expertise that enable the development and delivery of services on demand. Sun's Forte for Java product is based on the NetBeans(TM) open source platform (www.netbeans.org).

About Aqris

Aqris Software, a privately held corporation in Tallinn, Estonia, is a research and development firm specializing in Java tools for Corporate developers.

Note to Editors: Refactorit and Aqris are trademarks of Aqris Software AS.

Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, Java, NetBeans and Forte are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.