Apple Joins OpenJDK To Open Source Mac OS X Java Technology

Apple just announced that it is joining Oracle’s OpenJDK project to open source the Java technology for Mac OS X. OpenJDK is a free and open source implementation of the Java programming language.

According to the release, Apple will “contribute most of the key components, tools and technology required for a Java SE 7 implementation on Mac OS X, including a 32-bit and 64-bit HotSpot-based Java virtual machine, class libraries, a networking stack and the foundation for a new graphical client.” OpenJDK will open source Apple’s Java technology to developers.

Apple also stated that Java SE 6 will continue to be available from Apple for Mac OS X Snow Leopard and the upcoming release of Mac OS X Lion. Java SE 7 and future versions of Java for Mac OS X will be available from Oracle.

Apple joins IBM, who also joined OpenJDK a month ago.

Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said in a statement: We’re delighted to be working with Oracle to insure that there continues to be a great version of Java on the Mac..The best way for our users to always have the most up to date and secure version of Java will be to get it directly from Oracle.”