Sun Microsystems Inc’s so-called ‘Java for the rest of us’ development tool, Java Studio, is finally with us. Sun had planned to release the product in mid-June, but SunSoft delayed it to get the easy-to-use graphical user interface just right to enable non-programmers to use it. It was then slated for shipment in September, but it finally hit the shelves yesterday. It is Java Beans-based and vendors including the KL Group, Object design Inc and Thought Inc have contributed to the palette of more than 50 Beans to enable users to hit the ground running. They include components for database connectivity, charting and GUI creation; and any 100% Pure Java component can be plugged in. Sun promises there is no coding or scripting required – it’s all visual and users can test their applications as they build them. There’s no sign of Ice-T, Sun’s Java-to-C/C++ middleware for connecting Java clients, applets and objects to legacy applications across the net. Ice-T was at one time set for release with Java Studio, but now seems to have had its release pushed back. Nobody at SunSoft got back to us to explain this. Java Studio costs $80 from Sun’s online software shop and should be available in ship before the year end and through OEMs. It runs on Solaris and Windows 95 and NT. Until February 28 1998 users can by Java Studio and the higher-level Java WorkShop for $189, $35 less than the cost of buying them separately.
