Sun unveils Java Studio Enterprise 7

Sun Microsystems has unveiled the latest release of its enterprise Java development toolkit, Java Studio Enterprise 7.

The Unix giant said that the suite marks its first Code-Aware Collaboration offering, a system designed to allow distributed development teams or workgroups to work together on central projects.

The technology uses tools, including an instant messaging system, to transfer information and artefacts from one participant to another.

"Code-Aware Collaboration takes team development to a new and inspirational level," said James Gosling, chief technology officer for the Developer Platforms Group at Sun.

"In the past, teams dispersed across an organisation or around the world tended to be focused on individual units of code.

"This technology will enable them to work together to capture collective innovation, and rapidly iterate and drive the delivery of complex applications more quickly than ever before."

According to Sun, a key feature of the release is support for model-driven analysis, design and development based on Unified Modelling Language. This integrated feature enables developers to create visual models of applications.

The suite also ships with an Application Profiler designed to allow developers to profile the performance of applications developed using the Java Studio Enterprise suite.

This feature is focused on web applications and those developed using the integrated Web Application Framework, which provides rapid application development features.

Java Studio Enterprise 7 is priced at $5 per employee licence, which includes the right to use the software and developer services and is renewable each year, or a $1,895 perpetual seat licence.