Sun executive reveals more open-source plans for JavaFX

23.12.2008
A Sun Microsystems executive has provided a glimpse into the company's future plans for open sourcing JavaFX, its recently technology for building RIAs (rich Internet applications) for the desktop, mobile devices and other platforms.

Sun's corporate image is grounded in its embrace of open-source software and some components of JavaFX, including the JavaFX compiler and elements of graphic libraries, are now available under the GPLv2 open-source license, according to the official JavaFX .

But other key components are still proprietary. Sun is now working to change this, according to a recent blog by Jeet Kaul, vice president of the Client Software Group.

"There are some dependencies on licensed code that cannot be open sourced. We are working towards decoupling the dependencies so that the non-proprietary portions can be open sourced," Kaul wrote. "We will put the core runtime out in the open over time."

Kaul did not spell out the nature of the dependencies. A spokesman for Sun did not immediately respond to a request for more information Tuesday.

Sun will also publish specifications for new file formats associated with JavaFX, "shortly," Kaul said.