Java Naming

Naming is a key component of a well-architected branding strategy. Java technology reached an important milestone, having turned 15 years old in 2010. The goal with the Java brand and naming architecture is easy — keep it simple!

Name Changes

It's very simple. With the versions of the platform shipped early 2006, the Java name lost the "2", and the "dot zero".

J2SE 6.0 became Java SE 6, and J2SE 7.0 will become Java SE 7.

J2EE 5.0 became Java EE 5.

J2ME became Java ME as of June 2005, because it does not have a version number.

Java Card is not affected by this name change.

The following terms should always be used at first reference:

  • Java™ Platform, Standard Edition
  • Java™ Platform, Enterprise Edition
  • Java™ Platform, Micro Edition

Current versions as well as older versions of the platform will maintain their current naming (for example, J2EE 1.4, J2SE 5.0, J2SE 1.4.x, and so on). Java licensees and ISV partners should migrate to the new platform names as they ship products that run on these new platforms.

Please Say "Java"!

Note that the new acronyms spell out "Java": Java EE, Java SE, and Java ME — a need driven by the brand's increasing popularity with consumers. "JEE", "JSE", and "JME" are not acceptable acronyms as they have different meanings that are not associated with Java technology. For example, a Google search on "JEE" returns topics unrelated to Java EE.

Rationale for the Java Naming Schema

The Java 2 platform has been an incredible success. Introduced as a major revision of Java technology in 1999, its editions — the Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition, Micro Edition, and Java Card (which never adopted the "2" in its brand name) — have become standards in their development specialties. However, dropping the "2" from the next releases better reflects the level of maturity, stability, scalability and security built into the Java platform. In addition, by eliminating the "2", we also eliminate version confusion: e.g. Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition 6, and we won't leave anybody wondering when Java 3, Java 4, Java 5 are coming! Lastly, the new naming will help accelerate brand recognition with non-technical audiences (e.g. consumers, business press, business analysts, etc.).