Java 1.

6 was released to overcome a few shortcomings and provide enhanced features

when compared to Java 1.5

Details of 1.6 are mentioned below.

Advantages to running applications on Java SE 6

• Applications run faster on the desktop and servers

• New 'Dynamic Attach' diagnostics simplify troubleshooting
• Expanded Solaris DTrace support provides additional value on Solaris
• Improved 'native' look and feel across Solaris, Linux, and Windows
• First Java platform with full support for Windows Vista

Benefits in upgrading developer environments to Sun's Java SE 6

• JavaScript integrated and included with the platform

• Scripting languages framework extends support for Ruby, Python, and other
languages
• Complete light-weight platform for web services, right out of the box
• Simplified GUI design and expanded native platform support
• Full JDBC4 implementation providing improved XML support for Databases
• Java DB included with the JDK, a free to use and deploy Java Database
• Full support by NetBeans IDE 5.5
• Sun Developer Services available to help build more robust applications

Improved User Experience

• Look-and-feel updates to better match underlying operating system

• Improved desktop performance and integration
• Enhanced internationalization support
• Improved performance
• Upwards binary compatibility

Security Features and Enhancements

• Native platform Security (GSS/Kerberos) integration.

• Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS) login module that employs
LDAP authentication
• New Smart Card I/O API
 • Native security services technical article
» Find out more

Integrated Web Services

• New API for XML digital signature services for secure web services
• New Client and Core Java Architecture for XML-Web Services (JAX-WS) 2.0
APIs
• New support for Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) 2.0
• XML home page
» Find out more

Scripting Language Support (JSR 223)

• New framework and API for scripting languages

• Mozilla Rhino engine for JavaScript built into the platform
• Scripting for the Java Platform technical article
» Find out more

Enhanced Management and Serviceability

• Improved JMX Monitoring API

• Runtime Support for dTrace (Solaris 10 and future Solaris OS releases only)
• Improved memory usage analysis and leak detection
• Monitoring and Management technical article

Increased Developer Productivity

• JDBC 4.0 support (JSR 221)

• Significant library improvements
• Improvements to the Java Platform Debug Architecture (JPDA) & JVM Tool
Interface