The 10g Release 3 version of JDeveloper also supports new features of the application server as well as improved Java source code refactoring. Both the application server and JDeveloper support JSF (JavaServer Faces), for building Web applications; EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans) 3; and AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML).

JSF enablement was applauded by users previewing JDeveloper 10 Release 3, who said more than 100 JSF components are featured. Collaboration also is a bonus in the tool.

"They built in a lot more team collaboration tools based on CVS (Concurrent Versions System)," said Les Morton Jr., a project manager at Associated Wholesalers.

Oracle is positioning its application server as the basis for its Oracle E-Business Suite applications.

"What we're releasing now is the first version of 10g Release 3, which includes things like the core application server, the rules engine, the ESB, and then later this year you'll get things like the new portal server and the new BPEL (Business Process Execution Language), which are [in] beta right now," Farrell said.