Digital Equipment Corporation (NYSE: DEC) is further demonstrating its solid commitment to the Java(TM) development community by announcing availability of the Java Development Kit (JDK) Version 1.1.1 with POSIX threads, and the super-fast Digital Just-In-Time (JIT) Java compiler for Digital UNIX. The software tools run on Digital's high-performance 64-bit Alpha systems. Digital also announced that an Alpha system has achieved world-record Java CaffeineMark performance figures, and world-record jBYTEmark performance for UNIX.

"Today's news underscores Digital's position as the premier provider of systems, software and services for Internet- and intranet-based business computing," said Don Harbert, vice president, Internet product management and development.

"Digital's long lead in 64-bit UNIX computing, proven compiler know-how, and support of open standards create a compelling environment for developers and businesses looking to build and deploy high-performance commercial Java applications."

Support for POSIX Threads, VLM Opens Way for Industrial-Strength Java Applications

"Digital's strategy for Java developers is to deliver the latest in Java functionality and innovation. Digital's approach ensures that developers can fully utilize Java to more easily build the enterprise-class Internet and intranet applications demanded by their customers and users," added Harbert.

Digital is a leading early implementer of POSIX threads support in a JDK. This allows Java developers to create applications that take advantage of multiple processors. This is especially important for distributed, event-driven business applications such as transaction processing, database applications and systems and network management. Digital's JDK support for open, standards-based POSIX threads also enables the use of many popular middleware products.

Applications that enjoy the many advantages of 64-bit Very Large Memory (VLM) on Digital AlphaServer systems can now interface easily with Java applications running on those systems. This is another Java first from Digital, and is especially critical for data warehousing applications such as customer-information systems in the financial services industry or patient- information systems in the healthcare industry.

Digital's Alpha Trumps Hewlett Packard in UNIX CaffeineMark and jBYTEmark Testing

A Digital AlphaStation 500/500 running DIGITAL UNIX has attained the fastest CaffeineMark benchmark figure produced by any UNIX vendor's system. Digital's JIT compiler attained a CaffeineMark 2.01 score of 3,674. This is 62 percent faster than the 2,268 score attained by the yet-to-be-available HP Domain PA-RISC 8200. These results mark Digital UNIX as the new Java performance leader. Further proof of Digital's leadership are its jBYTEmark Integer Index of 21.8 compared to HP's score of 8.42; and a jBYTEmark FP Index of 18.3 compared to HP's score of 7.12.

This performance lead complements Digital's recently announced performance lead on the Java Internet terminal or "NC." Digital's StrongARM-based Internet terminal prototype recently posted the top CaffeineMark figures for JavaOS and the HotJava browser.

Digital's JDK V1.1.1 beta kit and JIT compiler are available for free and can be downloaded from http://www.unix.digital.com/products/internet/java.html.

Digital Equipment Corporation is a world leader in open client/server solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information systems. Digital's scalable Alpha and Intel platforms, storage, networking, software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace.

Source: Digital Equipment Corporation