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{{Short description|Operating system with Java virtual machine}}
{{ infobox OS
| logo =
| screenshot =
| caption =
| developer = [[Sun Microsystems]]
| family = [[Java (software platform)|Java]]
| source model = [[Closed source]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1996|05|29}}
| latest release version = Final
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|1999|08|23}}
| marketing target =
| programmed in = [[Java (programming language)|Java]] (primarily)<br>[[C (programming language)|C]] and [[C++]] (parts of kernel)
| language = English
| kernel type = [[Microkernel]]
| ui =
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| working state = Discontinued
| supported_platforms = [[ARM architecture|ARM]], [[PowerPC]], [[SPARC]], [[IA-32]] ([[x86]])
| update model =
| package manager =
| website =
}}

'''JavaOS''' is a discontinued<ref name="CNet" /> [[operating system]] based on a [[Java virtual machine]]. It was originally developed by [[Sun Microsystems]].<ref name="announce">{{cite press release |url=https://tech-insider.org/java/research/1996/0529.html |title=JavaSoft Announces JavaOS |date=May 29, 1996 |publisher=JavaSoft ([[Sun Microsystems]]) |access-date=May 4, 2016 }}</ref> Unlike [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Unix]], or [[Unix-like]] systems which are primarily written in the [[C (programming language)|C]] or [[C++]] programming languages, JavaOS is primarily written in [[Java (programming language)|Java]]. It is now considered a [[legacy system]].<ref name="CDCFAQ"/>

== History ==

The [[Java (programming language)|Java]] programming language was introduced by Sun in May 1995. Jim Mitchell and Peter Madany at JavaSoft designed a new operating system, [[codename]]d Kona, written completely in Java. In March 1996, Tom Saulpaugh joined the now seven-person Kona team to design an [[input/output]] (I/O) architecture, having come from Apple as Macintosh system software engineer since June 1985 and co-architect of [[Copland (operating system)|Copland]].<ref name="Inside the JavaOS">{{cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Tom |last2=Mirho |first2=Charles |date=January 1999 |title=Inside the JavaOS Operating System |series=Java series |publisher=Addison-Wesley |isbn=0-201-18393-5 |oclc=924842439 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/insidejavaosoper00saul}} [https://www.amazon.com/Inside-JavaOS-TM-Operating-System/dp/0201183935/ Preface text]</ref>{{rp|XI-XIII}}

JavaOS was first announced in a ''[[Byte (magazine)|Byte]]'' article.<ref name="Mirho:1997:JTC">{{cite journal |last1=Mirho |first1=Charles |last2=Clements |first2=Tom |title=JavaOS: Thin Client, Fat Service |quote=JavaOS uses a small memory footprint, yet its network-centric design lets it access large-scale services |journal=Byte |date=July 1997 |volume=22 |issue=7 |pages=53–54 |url=https://vintageapple.org/byte/pdf/199707_Byte_Magazine_Vol_22-07_User_Interface.pdf#page=57 |issn=0360-5280}}</ref> In 1996, JavaSoft's official product announcement described the compact OS designed to run "in anything from net computers to pagers".<ref name="announce"/> In early 1997, JavaSoft transferred JavaOS to SunSoft. In late 1997, Bob Rodriguez led the team to collaborate with [[IBM]] who then marketed the platform, accelerated development, and made significant key architectural contributions to the next release of JavaOS, eventually renamed JavaOS for Business.<ref name="Inside the JavaOS"/>{{rp|XI-XIII}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Hayes |first=Mary |title=Sun Enlists IBM For JavaOS Aid |url=http://www.informationweek.com/670/70iusun.htm |work=[[InformationWeek]] |date=February 23, 1998 |access-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001205014000/http://www.informationweek.com/670/70iusun.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2000 }}</ref> IBM indicated its focus was more on network computer [[thin client]]s, specifically to replace traditional [[IBM 3270]] "green screen" and Unix [[X terminal]]s, and to implement single application clients.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itmweb.com/f031098.html |title=Inside the IBM JavaOS Project |access-date=December 16, 2011 |last=Finney |first=Russ |date=March 10, 1998 |work=itmWEB }}</ref>

[[ChorusOS|Chorus]], a distributed real-time operating system, was used for its microkernel technology.<ref name="Inside the JavaOS"/>{{rp|XIII}} This began with [[Chorus Systèmes SA]], a French company, licensing JavaOS from Sun and replacing the earlier JavaOS hardware abstraction layer with the Chorus microkernel,<ref name="ci-leaves">{{cite news |title=Chorus Leaves Unix Behind; Refocuses on Java and CORBA |work=[[Computergram International]] |issue=3112 |date=March 4, 1997 |via=Gale General OneFile |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A19171416/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c9b0d53b |access-date=June 1, 2021}}</ref> thereby creating the Chorus/Jazz product, which was intended to allow Java applications to run in a distributed, real-time embedded system environment.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eetimes.com/chorus-systems-announces-chorus-jazz/# |title=Chorus Systems Announces CHORUS/JaZZ |magazine=EE Times |date= February 20, 1997}}</ref> Then in September 1997, it was announced that Sun Microsystems was acquiring Chorus Systèmes SA.<ref name="eetimes-1997">{{cite news |url=https://www.eetimes.com/sun-expands-network-software-business-into-embedded-systems-market/# |title=Sun Expands Network Software Business Into Embedded Systems Market |magazine=EE Times |date=September 11, 1997}}</ref>

In 1999, Sun and IBM announced the discontinuation of the JavaOS product.<ref name="CNet">{{cite news |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |title=Sun, IBM decaffeinate JavaOS |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-230175.html |work=[[CNet News]] |date=August 23, 1999 |access-date=December 16, 2011 }}</ref> As early as 2003, Sun materials referred to JavaOS as a "[[Legacy system|legacy technology]]", recommending migration to [[Java ME]], leaving the choice of specific OS and Java environment to the implementer.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

== Design ==

JavaOS is based on a hardware architecture native [[microkernel]], running on platforms including [[ARM architecture|ARM]], [[PowerPC]], [[SPARC]], [[StrongARM]], and [[IA-32]] ([[x86]]). The Java virtual machine runs on the microkernel. All [[device driver]]s are written in Java and executed by the [[virtual machine]]. A graphics and windowing system implementing the [[Abstract Window Toolkit]] (AWT) application programming interface ([[API]]) is also written in Java.<ref name="Inside the JavaOS"/>{{page needed|date=March 2019}}

JavaOS was designed to run on [[embedded system]]s and has applications in devices such as [[set-top box]]es, [[computer network]]ing infrastructure, and [[automated teller machine]]s (ATMs). It comes with the [[JavaStation]].{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

== Licensing ==

JavaSoft granted licenses to more than 25 manufacturers, including [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]], [[Acer Inc.|Acer]], [[Xerox]], [[Toshiba]], and [[Nokia]]. [[IBM]] and Sun announced the cooperation for JavaOS for Business at the end of March 1998.<ref name="CDCFAQ">{{cite web |title=What is the migration path for the PersonalJava, EmbeddedJava and JavaOS technologies? |url=http://java.sun.com/products/cdc/faq.html#cp8 |author= |date=1995–2003 |work=Connected Device Configuration FAQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030604120422/http://java.sun.com/products/cdc/faq.html |archive-date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=March 9, 2022}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Computer programming}}

* [[Solaris (operating system)]]
* [[SunOS]]
* [[Android (operating system)]]
* [[Java Desktop System]]
* [[JX (operating system)]]
* [[Inferno (operating system)]]
* [[SavaJe]]
* [[Vino (operating system)]]
* [[JavaStation]]

== References ==

{{refs}}

{{Microkernel}}

[[Category:ARM operating systems]]
[[Category:Embedded operating systems]]
[[Category:Java platform]]
[[Category:Microkernels]]
[[Category:Microkernel-based operating systems]]
[[Category:Object-oriented operating systems]]
[[Category:Sun Microsystems software]]
[[Category:X86 operating systems]]

JavaOS - Revision history

24.50.56.74 at 17:54, 7 October 2025