JavaOS

JavaOS is an operating system with a Java virtual machine as a fundamental component, originally developed by Sun Microsystems. Unlike Windows, Mac OS, Unix or Unix-like systems which are primarily written in the C programming language, JavaOS is primarily written in Java. It is now considered a legacy system.

History

JavaOS was originally announced in 1996 by Sun's JavaSoft subsidiary as a compact OS designed to run "in anything from net computers to pagers". In 1998, Sun recruited IBM to accelerate its development. IBM indicated its focus was more on network computer than clients, specifically to replace traditional "green screen" and UNIX terminals, and to implement single application clients.

It boots independently, supports a password protected login, own device drivers, has its own window system and API and can execute several Java applets at the same time. Java Soft has granted licenses to more than 25 manufacturers, to this companies belongs Oracle Corp, Acer Inc., Xerox, Toshiba Corp and Nokia which will use the JavaOS in its products. IBM and Sun announced the cooperation for JavaOS for Business at the end of March 1998.