Java: IBM Releases Industry's Fastest Java Virtual Machine for Windows. Helps Businesses Run Java Applications With Windows and Variety of Other Computer Systems - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, April 19, 1999

IBM Monday announced the industry's fastest Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for the Microsoft Windows operating system. According to widely used performance benchmarks, IBM's JVM for Windows out-performs competitors' most recent offerings by an average of 30 percent. A JVM is the software that lies between an operating system and a Java application, providing Java's cross-operating-system capability. IBM's new JVM enables software developers to write fully-compliant Java applications for the Microsoft operating system and integrate those applications with operating systems from a variety of other companies without being reliant on Microsoft support. The JVM is available at no charge for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT operating systems. Developers can immediately download IBM's offering of the Java Virtual Machine for the Microsoft platform from http://www.ibm.com/java/. "Many of our customers use a variety of computing systems. Our JVM technology can help them integrate those systems," said Patricia Sueltz, IBM's general manager, Java software. "IBM has expanded options for our customers by offering the industry's fastest, fully compliant JVM for the Microsoft platform. This technology will help our customers expand their e-business applications to new operating systems and run them faster." "Intel is pleased that IBM is delivering world-class Java performance on the Intel Architecture-based servers," said Michael Pope, Director of Enterprise Software Programs at Intel Corporation. "By addressing key customer requirements for faster server-side Java performance and better integration with the rest of the computing environment, IBM is ensuring that industry leading Java is available on major operating systems deployed on Intel." "With the delivery of a fully compliant JVM for Win32, IBM is expanding the market for software developers who create platform independent Java

applications for Windows-based clients and servers," said Tim Sloane, director of Internet technology analyst at Aberdeen Group. "By providing their expertise in building high performance software and their commitment to open standards, IBM is enabling customers to leverage their existing software investments and deploy new Java-based applications across heterogeneous hardware and software platforms." Addressing customer needs for fast-performing Java on the server, IBM has developed more efficient memory management for the larger memory capacity of server-side systems. IBM has also enhanced the scalability and throughput of the JVM. The enhanced communications capability that supports large numbers of connections, making the JVM the most efficient in the industry for developers and end-users. IBM's Win32 JVM includes a variety of performance innovations such as IBM's third-generation, Just-In-Time Compiler combined with a Mixed Mode Interpreter. The interpreter compiles only the selected portions of the Java program that are executed repeatedly. This feature provides fast load time and initialization and highly optimized executable code. In addition, IBM offers a full range of support programs with the Win32 JVM to make it easy for developers to take advantage of the JVM's capabilities, including technical and help desk support. The Win32 JVM is the latest of IBM's high-performance offerings adding to those already shipping with the OS/2, AIX, OS/400 and OS/390 operating systems. IBM's Win32 JVM is the performance leader in the industry according to SPECjvm98 and VolanoMark benchmarks. In addition to industry benchmarks, IBM uses "real world" applications to measure and improve Java performance from application development to deployment in enterprise environments. The Win32 JVM is part of the Java Runtime Environment included in the Java Developers Kit (JDK) offered by IBM. The availability of the Java Developers Kit for Windows expands the choices for developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who want to write fully-compliant Java applications for the Microsoft platform. In addition to advancing JVM performance, IBM has committed significant resources to developing technology that speeds performance on all levels, including the client, server and database for e-business applications. The availability of the JVM for the Microsoft platform is just one of the ways IBM is helping companies achieve better performance. IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM Software offers the widest range of applications, middleware and operating systems for all types of computing platforms, allowing customers to take full advantage of the new era of e-business. The fastest way to get more information about IBM software is through the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.