Belgian embedded Java specialist /k/ (pronounced “kah”) will release its entire Java runtime environment for embedded systems under a BSD-like open source license. The company's Mika Java VM targets resource-constrained embedded systems, including headless and MMU-less systems running uClinux. An evaluation version for Nokia's 770 Internet tablet is currently available.

/k/ was founded by Chris Gray, who for four years led the Wonka project, an effort to create an open source Java VM for Linux and BSD.

/k/'s Mika runtime is based on the Wonka codebase, with modifications for resource-constrained embedded systems. /k/ lists applications for Mika that include: industrial monitoring and control, access control, environmental control, service-on-demand, telematics, residential gateways, and “domotics” — presumably a neologism for domestic robots.

“'Open source inside' actually adds value”

In November of 2003, /k/ released the better part of Mika under the BSD-like Wonka public license. However, it retained the core Mika engine under a proprietary license. /k/ Founder Chris Gray explains, “Our original thinking was that we needed to keep some code proprietary, to give customers a reason why they should pay us.”

Now, /k/ plans to release the entire Mika engine under a BSD license, pending the sorting out of a few practical details. Gray notes, “We still have to manage the transition from the existing Wonka code base. Anyone who wants to get involved already should contact us at [email protected]”

Why the change of strategy? Gray explains, “In practice we would give customers access to the source code if they asked, because it makes it much easier for us to support them. We also find that some system integrators actually feel that using open-source components enhances the acceptability of their product in the market place, meaning that 'open source inside' actually adds value.”

Availability

No precise timeframe for the free version of Mika was announced.

Currently available evaluation versions of Mika include:

Platform	Tested on
ARM7TDMI/uClinux	Digi ConnectCore 7U, running Digi's “LxNETES” uClinux implementation
ARM (ARM9, XScale)/linux	Digi/FSForth CC9P module (NetSilicon NS9360), running Linux 2.6.12.5-fs.1-LxNETES3.2
PowerPC/linux	Seal “Timmy” board (MPC8260), running Linux
portable source for all platforms	n/a

Additionally, /k/ offers a version of Mika specifically for Nokia's 770 Internet tablet.

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