Java and XML, Second Edition

Is JDOM a Standard?

More than any other question about JDOM, I am asked whether JDOM is a standard. This is a common question, especially among either those who want to use JDOM (and need justification) or those who don’t like JDOM (and need justification). I address some of those issues in this section, so that whatever camp you are in, you know the details about JDOM and its standardization process.

JDOM as a JSR

First and foremost, JDOM is now an official JSR, which is a Java Specification Request. In other words, it is going through the formal standardization process, sponsored by Sun and governed by the JCP (the Java Community Process). You can read all about the JSR and JCP processes at http://java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess/. As for JDOM, it is now officially JSR-102 and can be found online at Sun’s web site, located at http://java.sun.com/aboutJava/communityprocess/jsr/jsr_102_jdom.html.

Once JDOM moves through the JCP, probably in late 2001, several things will happen. First, it will receive a much more elevated status in terms of standards; although the JCP and Sun aren’t perfect, they do offer a lot of credence. The JCP has support and members within IBM, BEA, Compaq, HP, Apache, and more. Additionally, it will become very easy to move JDOM into other Java standards. For example, there is interest from Sun in making JDOM part of the next version of JAXP, either 1.2 or 2.0 (I talk more about JAXP in Chapter 9). Finally, future versions of the JDK are slated to ...