The Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition version
1.4 is the most complete Web services platform ever. The platform features
complete Web services support through the new JAX-RPC 1.1 API, which supports
service endpoints based on servlets and enterprise beans. JAX-RPC 1.1 provides
interoperability with Web services based on the WSDL and SOAP protocols. The
J2EE 1.4 platform also supports the Web Services for J2EE specification (JSR
921), which defines deployment requirements for Web services and utilizes the
JAX-RPC programming model. In addition to numerous Web services APIs, J2EE 1.4
platform also features support for the WS-I Basic Profile 1.0. This means that
in addition to platform independence and complete Web services support, J2EE
1.4 offers platform Web services interoperability.
The J2EE 1.4 platform also introduces the J2EE
Management 1.0 API, which defines the information model for J2EE management,
including the standard Management EJB (MEJB). The J2EE Management 1.0 API uses
the Java Management Extensions API (JMX). The J2EE 1.4 platform also
introduces the J2EE Deployment 1.1 API, which provides a standard API for
deployment of J2EE applications. The J2EE 1.4 platform includes security
enhancements via the introduction of the Java Authorization Contract for
Containers (JavaACC). The JavaACC API improves security by standardizing how
authentication mechanisms are integrated into J2EE containers.
The J2EE platform now makes it easier to develop
web front ends with enhancements to Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages (JSP)
technologies. Servlets now support request listeners and enhanced filters. JSP
technology has simplified the page and extension development models with the
introduction of a simple expression language, tag files, and a simpler tag
extension API, among other features. This makes it easier than ever for
developers to build JSP-enabled pages, especially those who are familiar with
scripting languages.
Other enhancements to the J2EE platform include
the J2EE Connector Architecture, which provides incoming resource adapter and
Java Message Service (JMS) pluggability. New features in Enterprise JavaBeans
(EJB) technology include Web service endpoints, a timer service, and
enhancements to EJB QL and message-driven beans. The J2EE 1.4 platform also
includes enhancements to deployment descriptors. They are now defined using
XML Schema which can also be used by developers to validate their XML
structures.
