Some components of Java that could be open-sourced in an incremental fashion include the Java virtual machine, the runtime environment, the Web services stack and the Swing GUI components.

The Eclipse consortium for open source tools on Tuesday is announcing its Visual Editor Project, to deliver a visual GUI construction and editor platform. With Eclipse’s Visual Editor reference ...

There is some perception that Java’s momentum has stalled, at least in part, and it is likely that Sun hopes releasing Java under open source will result in a resurgence of enthusiasm among ...

Sun, however, has resolved most, if not all, of the open-source community's concerns. Under an agreement hashed out in March, Sun is permitting open-source implementations of Java standards.

The company follows an announcement that its Solaris software will have an open-source flavor with a similar promise for its Java technology. Just don't ask for details.

SAN FRANCISCO - Sun Microsystems Inc. took a step toward making Java open source by opening its Java 3D version along with its 3D desktop, Project Looking Glass, at its annual JavaOne conference here.