Java AVK for the Enterprise

 
 

Introduction

The Java Application Verification Kit (AVK) for the Enterprise is a tool intended to help developers test their applications for correct use of J2EE APIs and portability across J2EE compatible application servers, and to help developers avoid inadvertently writing non-portable code.

The J2EE platform extends the portability benefits of the Java language to the enterprise, providing a single set of specifications for application servers and an extensive set of compatibility tests. It allows you to run applications across different types of J2EE-compatible servers. Given the large investment most businesses have in client-server applications, the J2EE platform can save companies a lot of development time and money by reducing the need to install and test across multiple application servers. With J2EE's portability features, there is little or no need to rewrite code for different servers.

Whatever product you use to develop your enterprise applications, you need to ensure that your code will be easy to port from one application server to another. To do this, you need to make sure that your code does not use vendor-specific extensions to the J2EE platform and that it meets the responsibilities for applications stated in the J2EE specifications. The Java BluePrints program provides guidelines for building portable J2EE-based applications. However, it is still possible to inadvertently write non-portable applications. The Java AVK for the Enterprise is designed to help developers avoid such situations. The reporting tool that is part of the Java AVK for the Enterprise will produce reports to identify segments of the application code where portability may be broken.

Java AVK for the Enterprise Testing Benefits

  • Verifies Portability of Applications

    Compatibility vs. Portability: The Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is a set of tests and rules that are applied to the application servers. Once an application server meets the CTS requirements it is called J2EE compatible. The Java AVK for the Enterprise toolkit is targeted at the applications that run on a J2EE server. Once the application is verified it is said to be portable or easily portable to any J2EE compatible application server.

  • Minimizes Investment in IT Resources

    The Java AVK for the Enterprise testing process enables developers to test their applications for portability across J2EE compatible application servers without the need for testing using multiple application servers.

  • Enables Identification of Portability Issues during Development

    Using the Java AVK for the Enterprise toolkit as part of the development process can help identify portability issues early in the development cycle. Use of proprietary APIs is discovered early and the guidelines provide a way of taking advantage of server optimizations while maintaining portability.

  • Differentiates Applications with the Portability Brand at No Cost

    The Java AVK for the Enterprise testing process qualifies applications to be branded as Java Powered for the Enterprise. The branding is offered for FREE for the J2EE applications that meet the program requirements.

  • Further information about the benefits of testing your enterprise applications for portability is detailed in the Java AVK for the Enterprise White Papers.

Testing Using the Java AVK for the Enterprise

The Java AVK for the Enterprise toolkit provides tools and guidelines for testing a J2EE application for portability and sets the standard for J2EE application portability. Tools include the Sun Java System Application Server, which is a complete application server and is used for logging public API invocations at runtime; the verifier tool containing thousands of tests based on assertions from all J2EE specifications, and the report tool, which summarizes results from the tests run.

How the Testing Works

  • Static Verification: Developer executes Java AVK for the Enterprise toolkit on the application for static verification. Static verification determines that the application suite's deployment descriptors follow the specification and that it contains no methods that are proprietary to a particular vendor.
  • Dynamic Verification: Developer deploys and runs the application on the Application Server, exercises the application using existing test suites or manual tests, generates the results and reviews them for correctness. The Application Server has been modified to log API invocations in the application as it runs on the server. It also logs any exceptions that are thrown during execution of the application. The server then generates the results of the test runs.
  • Reporting: The report tool summarizes the results gathered during the verification process based on the guidelines that have been established for the Java AVK for the Enterprise.

Testing Requirements

  • Applications must require an application server, be designed to run on multiple application servers, include JavaServer Pages technology, Java Servlets, Enterprise JavaBeans™ technology, and be packaged as one or more .ear or .war files.
  • Applications must be tested following the testing process and guidelines detailed in the Java AVK for the Enterprise Manual that is part of the Java AVK for the Enterprise testing suite.

Testing Options

Testing to be eligible to apply for the Java Powered for the Enterprise brand:

  • Meeting the requirements of the Java AVK for the Enterprise testing is a prerequisite to be eligible to apply to join the Java Powered for the Enterprise Program, and obtain the right to use the Java Powered for the Enterprise logo and tagline.
  • If your company intends to test the application and then apply to join the Program and obtain the right to use the Java Powered for the Enterprise trademark and logo for the tested application, you should first review all the steps involved in this process, which are detailed here.

Internal testing only:

  • Java AVK for the Enterprise is also available separately to help developers test their applications to identify and minimize dependencies on nonstandard features of application servers, which leads to reduction in migration costs.
  • Companies that intend to use the Java AVK for the Enterprise only for internal testing may not disclose the fact of licensing or using the Software, or reference meeting the criteria set forth in the Software, to any third party.

Technical Support

If you have specific questions regarding the Java AVK for the Enterprise technical features or testing requirements for your application please send an email to J2EE_AVK_support@sun.com. You can also visit the J2EE Portability Forum and post your question.

Questions?

If you have specific questions about the Java Powered for the Enterprise process, the suitability of your application for testing, or the Java Powered for the Enterprise Trademark License requirements, first review the Program FAQ.

If you wish to receive further information or have specific questions regarding either the Java Application Verification Kit (AVK) for the Enterprise, the Java Powered for the Enterprise Trademark or the Java Powered for the Enterprise Program please send an email to verification-sales@sun.com.