Its great that the community has access to the source code now, but what about documentation? What are your plans for providing developers and publishers access to documentation that enables the openness and sharing that are the goals of the open-source Java initiative?
Sun recognizes that restrictions on how documentation can be created and disseminated would limit many beneficial activities such as training programs and materials, and added-value third party websites. We are re-examining our Java platform documentation policies with community development in mind and will implement a new policy in keeping with the spirit and enabling the opportunities made possible by Java as free software.
Given that the Javadoc content is embedded in the newly GPL'ed OpenJDK code, and the Javadocs can be generated by running the javadoc tool, aren't the Javadocs now also under GPL?
Yes. The documentation that can be generated by running the javadoc tool over the open-source code base is a derivative work of this code base and as such, must also be licensed under the GPL.
So then, is the Java SE Platform Specification now GPL'ed as well?
No. Although the Javadocs are the primary documentation for application developers, they form only a small portion of the Platform Specification, which includes several other important, normative documents (prescriptive parts of the standard) including the Java Language Specification, the Java Virtual Machine Specification, and other ancillary specification documents that are referenced from the Javadocs. It is important that there be a single, definitive specification for the Java Platform, and for this reason the complete Platform Specification is not being open-sourced. It remains under the auspices of the JCP.
Where can I see the complete Platform Specification? Under what license is it available?
Sun is in the process of finalizing a Platform Specification for Java SE 6. Once complete, it will be endorsed through a JCP maintenance review of Java SE 6, and then published. The Platform Specification is made available under the Java Specification License. The Java SE 6 version of this license can be found at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/legal/license.html.
How will Sun promote redistribution of documentation in ways that foster adoption, while respecting and protecting the Java Specification?
As the earlier answer explained, there will always be a single, definitive version of the Platform Specification. However, we plan to create a new "Developer Documentation" bundle that can be licensed for redistribution. Initially this will contain only the Javadocs, but we hope to add other materials such as tutorials and guides later. Links from the Javadocs to other documentation will point back to the relevant documents on the java.sun.com website.
Under what license will this Developer Documentation bundle be offered?
The bundle will be available under two different licenses.
* A commercial license that permits redistribution, but does not allow for modification or creation of derivative works. This license will be most useful for publishers who are seeking to include the bundle with other material as a combined work, and who would prefer not to offer the entire work under the GPL.
* The GPL, as mandated by the inclusion of the Javadocs in the GPL'ed OpenJDK code base. We expect a GPL-licensed Developer Documentation bundle will be most attractive to distributors offering an OpenJDK-based implementation.
You will be able to select whichever license you prefer.
Why not use the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) or a Creative Commons License? Wouldn't one of these licenses, designed specifically for documentation and written works be more appropriate than the GPL?
Since we expect that most redistributions of the Developer Documentation bundle will be incorporated into products that also include source code, we felt that the GPL rather than a documentation-only license would be more appropriate.
Now that the Javadocs will be available under the GPL, how can developers collaborate on improving them?
Sun intends to build a new dynamic documentation portal on java.sun.com to bring the power of collaborative development to Java developer documentation. While the specific plans for this portal have not been finalized, we expect it will include features such as:
* Annotations
* Code samples
* Discussion forums
* Translations
* Links to external references
This will be a significant new resource for the entire Java community to use and an exciting new way for developers to participate.