JAVA FOR SQL SERVER--OVERDUE OR A WASTE OF TIME?

On Sept. 24, Microsoft announced that it would make code available that
allows SQL Server to effectively interface with Sun's Java scripting
language. Database developers are well aware of the longstanding feud 
between
Sun and Microsoft--the latest salvo of which was the conspicuous
exclusion of Java Virtual Machine (JVM) code from Windows XP. While 
database
products from Oracle and IBM have long boasted compatibility with Java,
Microsoft's database server has, until now, made it a point to dismiss 
the
ubiquitous Web scripting language.

So what does out-of-the-box Java compatibility mean for SQL Server,
especially in light of Microsoft's new, one-size-fits-all operating 
system
shunning the core Java functionality? How will this new integrated
driver--which has been available for download from Merant for some 
time--change
the competitive market position of SQL Server software (and, by 
extension,
SQL Server database administrators)?

This article addresses Gartner's FirstTake on Microsoft's latest move
and discusses how Java compatibility will affect the prosperity of both 
the
software and its associated developers.
http://click.online.com/Click?q=1e-JQuLI4jBxRq77wRqE9ONLj28C9FR 

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