Maynard, Massachusetts-based Digital Equipment Corp has unveiled what it thinks will be the latest in internet computing with the announcement of a 64-bit version of the Java Developer’s Kit Version 1.1.1 and the Just-In-Time Java compiler for Digital UNIX both running on its own 64-bit Alpha systems. Digital also fired the first salvo in what looks to be another ‘benchmark war’, claiming a CaffeineMark 2.01 score of 3,674, a jBYTEmark Integer Index of 21.8 and a jBYTEmark Floating Point Index of 18.3. for its new JIT compiler on its AlphaStation 500/500 running Digital UNIX. The company adapted both products from original Sun source code but claims its is the first 64-bit JDK to use POSIX threads to further boost performance. This enables Java developers to create software that takes advantage of multiple processors in areas like transaction processing, database applications and systems management. The new JDK product is also designed to enable applications that use 64-bit Very Large Memory on Digital AlphaServer systems to interface with Java applications running on the same system. The company sees important uses for the new product in data warehousing applications, citing customer information systems in the financial services industry and patient information systems in the healthcare industry as two potential markets. The new JDK and JIT compiler are currently available free in beta versions from the Digital web site. However, Don Harbart, Digital’s vice president, internet product management and development said he expected full versions to be ready sometime in the next quarter.
