Java SE 6 Key Features

Java SE 6 is the current major release of the Java SE platform. Sun endeavors to foster the highest level of transparency and collaboration on the platform with the Java community through Project JDK 6, resulting in the following key features.
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Advantages to running applications on Java SE 6

Applications run faster on the desktop and servers
New 'Dynamic Attach' diagnostics simplify troubleshooting
Expanded Solaris DTrace support provides additional value on Solaris
Improved 'native' look and feel across Solaris, Linux, and Windows
First Java platform with full support for Windows Vista

Benefits in upgrading developer environments to Sun's Java SE 6

JavaScript integrated and included with the platform
Scripting languages framework extends support for Ruby, Python, and other languages
Complete light-weight platform for web services, right out of the box
Simplified GUI design and expanded native platform support
Full JDBC4 implementation providing improved XML support for Databases
Java DB included with the JDK, a free to use and deploy Java Database
Full support by NetBeans IDE 5.5
Sun Developer Services available to help build more robust applications

Improved User Experience

Look-and-feel updates to better match underlying operating system
Improved desktop performance and integration
Enhanced internationalization support
Improved performance
Upwards binary compatibility

Security Features and Enhancements

Native platform Security (GSS/Kerberos) integration.
Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS) login module that employs LDAP authentication
New Smart Card I/O API
Native security services technical article
» Find out more

Integrated Web Services

New API for XML digital signature services for secure web services
New Client and Core Java Architecture for XML-Web Services (JAX-WS) 2.0 APIs
New support for Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) 2.0
XML home page
» Find out more

Scripting Language Support (JSR 223)

New framework and API for scripting languages
Mozilla Rhino engine for JavaScript built into the platform
Scripting for the Java Platform technical article
» Find out more

Enhanced Management and Serviceability

Improved JMX Monitoring API
Runtime Support for dTrace (Solaris 10 and future Solaris OS releases only)
Improved memory usage analysis and leak detection
Monitoring and Management technical article

Increased Developer Productivity

JDBC 4.0 support (JSR 221)
Significant library improvements
Improvements to the Java Platform Debug Architecture (JPDA) & JVM Tool Interface

An in-depth summary of Java SE 6 features and enhancements to the platform is provided in the Java SE Umbrella JSR (JSR 270) and the desktop and core feature overviews.

Looking for an Older Release? Sun provides some older product and technology releases as a courtesy to developers for problem resolution. These releases and products have completed the Sun "end-of-life" (EOL) process and are no longer supported under standard support contracts. However, you can access them via our archives.