Q: What is the JavaTM 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EETM)?

JavaTM 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EETM) is a set of coordinated specifications and practices that together enable solutions for developing, deploying, and managing multi-tier server-centric applications. Building on the JavaTM 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SETM), J2EE adds the

Capabilities necessary to provide a complete, stable, secure, and fast Java platform To the enterprise level. It provides value by significantly reducing the cost and complexity of developing and deploying multi-tier solutions, resulting in services that can be rapidly deployed and easily enhanced.

Q: What are the main benefits of J2EE?

J2EE provides the following:

    Faster solutions delivery time to market. J2EE uses "containers" to simplify development. J2EE containers provide for the separation of business logic from resource and lifecycle management, which means that developers can focus on writing business logic -- their value add -- rather than writing enterprise infrastructure. For example, the Enterprise JavaBeansTM (EJBTM) container (implemented by J2EE technology vendors) handles distributed communication, threading, scaling, transaction management, etc. Similarly, Java Servlets simplify web development by providing infrastructure for component, communication, and session management in  a web container that is integrated with a web server.

            Freedom of choice. J2EE technology is a set of standards that many vendors can implement. The vendors are free to compete on

implementations but not on standards or APIs. Sun supplies a comprehensive J2EECompatibility Test Suite (CTS) to J2EE licensees. The J2EE CTS helps ensure compatibility among the application vendors which helps ensure portability for the applications and components written for J2EE. J2EE brings Write Once, Run AnywhereTM (WORATM) to the server.

          Simplified connectivity. J2EE technology makes it easier to connect the applications and systems you already have and bring those

capabilities to the web, to cell phones, and to devices. J2EE offers Java Message Service for integrating diverse applications in a loosely coupled, asynchronous way.

           J2EE also offers CORBA support for tightly linking systems through remote method calls. In addition, J2EE 1.3 adds J2EE Connectors for linking to enterprise information systems such as ERP systems, packaged financial applications, and CRM applications.             By offering one platform with faster solution delivery time to market, freedom of choice, and simplified connectivity, J2EE helps IT by reducing TCO and simultaneously avoiding single-source for their enterprise software needs.

Q: What technologies are included in J2EE?

The primary technologies in J2EE are: Enterprise JavaBeansTM (EJBsTM), JavaServer PagesTM (JSPsTM), Java Servlets, the Java Naming and

Directory InterfaceTM (JNDITM), the Java Transaction API (JTA), CORBA, and the JDBCTM data access API.

Q: How does J2EE relate to Enterprise JavaBeans technology?

Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) technology is the basis of J2EE. EJB technology provides the scalable architecture for executing business logic in a

distributed computing environment. J2EE makes the life of an enterprise developer easier by combining the EJB component architecture with other

enterprise technologies to solutions on the Java platform for seamless development and deployment of server side applications.

Q: Who needs J2EE?

ISVs need J2EE because it gives them a blueprint for providing a complete enterprise computing solution on the Java platform. Enterprise developersneed J2EE because writing distributed business applications is hard, and they need a high-productivity solution that allows them to focus only on writing their business logic and having a full range of  enterprise-class services to rely on, like transactional distributed objects, message

oriented middleware, and naming and directory services.