SCO perks up its Java performance

SCO unveils Unixware 7 add-on to reduce Java memory usage

The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) has unveiled an add-on to Unixware 7 which it claims reduces the memory usage of Java server-side applications, writes Cath Everett.

Dubbed Perkup, the new feature allows Java packages running concurrently on a Unixware 7 server to share resources instead of launching a new Java virtual machine (JVM) to run each application.

'This will introduce cost savings for users because they won't need to upgrade their hardware and software,' said Juergen Kienhoffer, SCO's section manager for Java technology. 'It brings down memory usage by a factor of 10, but cost savings depend on how many users each system supports.'

Java Heap stores Java objects as they enter the JVM, while Java Garbage Collector removes Java components from the JVM once they have been used.

A 30-day evaluation version of Perkup is available from www.sco.com. The product is due to ship later this year.

As Computing went to press, Psion announced a new palmtop device incorporating a JVM. 3Com will follow with a similar product, according to US reports.

Sun Microsystems also announced at its Java user conference, JavaOne, that it will offer Java and Jini training courses over the Internet from August.