Sun Brings Phobos into the Light: JavaScript Application Server for Java Project Unveiled

JavaScriptSearch
Thursday, May 18, 2006; 05:31 AM

Following the release of jMaki, Sun has announced a new project - the JavaScript-based application server for Java, named Phobos.

The project website at https://phobos.dev.java.net/ describes Phobos as a "lightweight, scripting-friendly, web application environment running on the Java platform, aimed at addressing emerging developer requirements."  It is intended as a demonstration that Java is a good platform for server-side scripting, allowing dynamic-language developers to leverage the power of Java SE and EE. 

The project is a stand-alone application that uses Rhino, a Java-based JavaScript engine. It supports embedding JavaScript inside web page templates, like Ruby in Rails apps or Java in JSP apps.  The initial focus for Project Phobos is JavaScript, but the design supports the use of other dynamic languages as well.

Phobos is a part of Sun's GlassFish project.  The GlassFish community is building a free, open source application server which implements the newest features in the Java EE 5 platform. As a research project, Phobos is not yet available for download due to licensing issues.

The roadmap and timeframe as well as product plans for the application are currently not clearly stated.  They will be determined in the future based on feedback from the community and users of Phobos technology.