(Santa Clara, CA) – Sun Microsystems, Inc., announced the immediate availability of its Java XML Pack, a quick and easy way for developers to get all the latest XML and Web services technologies for the Java platform. Sun Microsystems has helped drive the definition and development of XML from the beginning, and the Java technology is the most widely used platform for developing and deploying networked applications and services. The download bundles key industry XML and Web services standards, giving Java developers the technologies they need to quickly and efficiently build Web services. The Java XML Pack is available from Sun's Web site at http://java.sun.com/xml/downloads/javaxmlpack.html.

``By providing a universal foundation for building networked services, Java technology has changed the way software is used. The Java platform, in conjunction with XML and other Web services standards, forms the most robust architecture for building platform-independent Web services,'' said Rich Green, vice president and general manager, Java and XML Software, Sun Microsystems. ``Java technology has always been about building and providing networked services that allow enterprises to leverage the value of their information technology assets and the Net.''

Enterprises are rapidly discovering the benefits of using Java and XML for facilitating better communication, both internally among departments and externally with other enterprises. By using XML, businesses can dynamically discover services, offer services, communicate and conduct business with each other without regard to their underlying computer architecture. With XML providing the standard for integration and service interchange and Java software providing a universal logic platform, developers can quickly assemble new business and consumer services that can run everywhere.

The Java Community Process (JCP) program rapidly incorporates new and updated XML and Web services standards into the Java platform, so that developers always have access to the latest technologies. Sun is leveraging its experience with XML by leading several JCP Expert Groups, comprised of representatives from the over 400 JCP member companies who innovate together and integrate the latest revisions of XML and Web services standards into the cross-platform Java technology. Developers can immediately update Web services support in their current Java software by simply downloading the new components. Major tools vendors have also incorporated the contents of the Java XML Pack into their development tools.

The Java XML Pack will be refreshed quarterly so as to include all current publicly-available releases of Java APIs and standards for XML and Web services.