The current version is called Java EE 5
J2EE Java Platform Enterprise Edition
Java Platform, Enterprise Edition or Java EE is a widely used platform for server programming in the Java programming language. The Java EE Platform differs from the Standard Edition (SE) of Java in that it adds libraries which provide functionality to deploy fault-tolerant, distributed, multi-tier Java software, based largely on modular components running on an application server..
The platform was known as Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition or J2EE until the name was changed to Java EE in version 5. The current version is called Java EE 5. The previous version is called J2EE 1.4.
Java EE is defined by its specification. As with other Java Community Process specifications, Java EE is also considered informally to be a standard since providers must agree to certain conformance requirements in order to declare their products as Java EE compliant; albeit with no ISO or ECMA standard.
Java EE includes several API specifications, such as JDBC, RMI, e-mail, JMS, web services, XML, etc, and defines how to coordinate them. Java EE also features some specifications unique to Java EE for components. These include Enterprise JavaBeans, servlets, portlets (following the Java Portlet specification), JavaServer Pages and several web service technologies.
This allows developers to create enterprise applications that are portable and scalable, and that integrate with legacy technologies. A Java EE "application server" can handle the transactions, security, scalability, concurrency and management of the components that are deployed to it, meaning that the developers should be able to concentrate more on the business logic of the components rather than on infrastructure and integration tasks.
The Java EE 5 specification was developed under JSR 244 and the final release was made on May 11, 2006.
The Java EE 6 specification has been developed under JSR 316 and is scheduled for release in 2008.
Java Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE) builds on the solid foundation of Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) and is the industry standard for implementing enterprise-class service-oriented architecture (SOA) and next-generation web applications. The SDKs contain Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server, previously named Sun Java System Application Server, and provide support for Java EE 5 specifications.
Updated! Download the Java EE 5 SDK or Java Application Platform SDK.
Web Developer Resources for Java EE
Whether creating a rich user experience with Ajax and JavaServer Faces or a collaborative, community-focused application such as a wiki or blogging server, do it more quickly and with less effort using the Java EE platform.
