IBM Launches New WebSphere Development Tools

IBM

The new toolset, which contains a built-in development version of the new app server, marks the first rollout of Version 5 products under the WebSphere software line.

The full deployment version of WebSphere Application Server, Version 5, is due out in the next 30 days, according to IBM.

Eventually, all of IBM's integration tools under the MQ Integrator and Crossworlds brands will be built on Version 5 of the app server, IBM executives have said.

New in IBM WebSphere Studio, Version 5 is the ability to develop Java-based Web services using legacy apps written in COBOL and PL1, according to IBM.

The new toolset also coordinates workflow for multiple legacy apps so developers can link transactions between enterprises using Web services.

Another enhancement is the ability for WebSphere developers to build Web apps visually using the open-source Apache Struts environment. Apache Struts makes it easier for developers to build and change Web apps based on Java Servlets, JavaBeans and XML, according to IBM.

This addition complements the availability of Macromedia ColdFusion MX for WebSphere, which allows Web apps built in ColdFusion to run natively in IBM's environment, according to IBM.

WebSphere Studio, Version 5 supports all of the major standards for app development, including J2EE 1.3; Version 7.2 of Red Hat and SuSE Linux; and Eclipse Version 2, the open-source development platform developed by IBM and now supported by about 175 vendors.

The new toolset also supports industry-accepted Web services standards UDDI, WSDL and SOAP as well as new Web services standards currently under review by standards bodies, including an early version of Web Services Business Process Execution Language (BPEL4WS),a new, executable language for business processes that combines two technologies developed by IBM and Microsoft, IBM WSFL and Microsoft XLANG.

The new WebSphere Studio is available in two versions,WebSphere Studio Application Developer and WebSphere Studio Enterprise Developer.

WebSphere Studio Application Developer, Version 5, is available Tuesday for $3,400 per developer. WebSphere Studio Enterprise Developer, Version 5, will be available Sept. 30 for $7,500 per developer.

Typically, IBM rolls out its WebSphere toolset about 30 days after the release of the application server, said Scott Hebner, IBM's director of marketing for WebSphere.

But Hebner said offering the development environment for the app server before the app server itself makes more sense because it gives developers an easier migration path.

"The first thing you want to do is test and build to [the app server and see what you want to do [to build the application," Hebner said. "The migration and experience of moving to the new app server and making sure that it's bulletproof is the priority, particularly given the position we are in the marketplace."