Microsoft Develops Java Killer

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October 19, 1998 (2:37 PM EDT)

By John Gartner,

Microsoft may want to add the word 'annihilate' to its extend-and-embrace strategy toward Java, Sun's open-platform programming language for Web applications.

For several years, Microsoft has been quietly developing its own universal virtual machine and waiting for the right time to deploy it, Gartner Group analyst David Smith said at last week's Gartner Group IT/Expo in Orlando.

"It's like a nuclear weapon that will eventually annihilate Java, and they are waiting for the right time to unleash it," said Smith, vice president of Internet strategies at the research firm. The project, code-named Intermediate Language, will provide Java-like functions and allow access to Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM) on non-Intel processors and non-Microsoft operating systems.

Smith said Microsoft disclosed the development effort in meetings with Gartner Group earlier this year, but then disavowed the technology after the research firm reported its existence.

A Microsoft spokeswoman said the company does not comment on speculation.

Smith said Microsoft has continually modified its attitude toward Java, which it licenses from Sun, as the threat of Java has waxed and waned. "Developers don't take the 'We love Java' posturing from Microsoft seriously anymore," he said.

Microsoft's most recent strategy is to try to convince developers that Java is simply a programming language and not a platform. Documents on Microsoft's website tout the COM applications market as "the only currently viable market for reusable, off-the-shelf, client and server components."

Microsoft's strategy to combat Java includes stepping up development of versions of COM that will run on non-Windows platforms. Over the past few months Microsoft has released versions of COM compatible with Unix variants from Digital Equipment, Sun, Hewlett-Packard, and Silicon Graphics.

Software developers say processor-independent versions of COM are clearly a strike at Java.

"Microsoft understands that in order to make an impact in the enterprise they need to create technology for non-Intel platforms," said David Linthicum, chief technology officer at Software AG Americas, which has created a version of COM for Unix. "COM is a platform much in the same way the Java Virtual Machine is a platform."

According to Don Gallagher, vice president of sales and marketing at Unix developer Mainsoft, providing one set of source code that can be used on Windows and Unix is attractive to developers. "COM is definitely competitive with Java," he said.

Last year, Sun filed suit against Microsoft for violating the terms of the Java licensing agreement by incorporating Windows-specific functions into its Java-based software.

Sun is seeking a preliminary injunction that would require Microsoft to use Sun's cross-platform Java in Windows 98 and Visual J products. Justice Ronald Whyte is expected to issue a decision by the end of November.

Smith said that over the next few years, Microsoft won't be able to relegate Java to almost-ran status; nor is Java likely to make a huge dent in Windows. But he predicts 60 percent of organizations will use Java in enterprise applications in 2001.