Compuware Extends Java Development Automation and Announces Eclipse Support with OptimalJ 4.0

Compuware has released Compuware OptimalJ 4.0, which will provide new process modeling functionality and support for the Eclipse open source development platform.

The enhancements make it possible for IT organisations to deliver higher quality enterprise Java applications to the business quicker and more productively.

"Enterprise application developers are constantly looking for ways to improve productivity, quality, and consistency of code," stated Carl Zetie, Vice President, Forrester Research. "The newer approach of using patterns to kick-start designs or code is proving more pragmatic and, consequently, is garnering increasing attention and adoption." (Pattern-Based Development Appeals, Forrester Research, Inc., January 2005)

Compuware's OptimalJ is the centerpiece of its advanced development solution that combines proven methodology, leading technology and professional services for Java development teams to rapidly deliver service-oriented applications. With the latest release, Compuware continues to extend OptimalJ's automation capabilities and incorporates role-based functionality for the entire development team to implement applications using a pragmatic Model Driven Architecture (MDA) approach.

Compuware is showcasing OptimalJ 4.0 this week at the JavaOne Conference in San Francisco (booth 515), and version 4.0 will be generally available in mid-July.

Extending Pragmatic MDA to the Entire Development Team

OptimalJ 4.0 includes:

• New Process-Oriented Development Functionality. OptimalJ 4.0 takes MDA to a new level by introducing a process model based on the UML 2.0 Activity Diagram. Developers use the new process model to define the flow of an application, which is then automatically transformed into J2EE application components. As a result, even more of an application can now be generated by OptimalJ, enabling a dramatic improvement of both the productivity of the development team and the quality of the applications they deliver.
• Pattern Plaza. To provide developers with a resource for relevant and accurate information as well as a forum for collaboration and knowledge sharing, Compuware has launched a new online exchange, called Pattern Plaza, which enables architects to share OptimalJ transformation patterns and collaborate on implementation improvements.
• New Developer Edition for Eclipse. With the release of OptimalJ 4.0, Compuware announces its plan to bring the productivity benefits of pragmatic MDA to Eclipse, the fastest-growing Java framework. As the first step in the company's strategy to fully support the Eclipse platform, Compuware OptimalJ now includes a new Developer Edition for Eclipse. All future OptimalJ editions will be built on the Eclipse platform.

"We are thrilled that Compuware has announced Eclipse support for OptimaJ, and we believe that our growing developer community will be very pleased to have access to such a robust, advanced tool," said Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of the Eclipse Foundation. "The participation and innovation of leading tools vendors such as Compuware has fueled the Eclipse project's phenomenal growth.

"The way development organisations build software is changing. As the speed of business accelerates, development teams are realising that it is impossible to cling to approaches that involve hand-coded applications with fixed requirements and expensive, year-long project timelines," said Mike Burba, Marketing Director of Compuware Application Development Solutions.

"Compuware OptimalJ makes the agility, speed and quality promises of models and patterns a reality through a pragmatic implementation of MDA, helping development teams become highly efficient application delivery organisations."