Cygnus Solutions Releases Open Source GNU Compiler and Libraries That Support the Java Language.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1999--

Provides Java Application Developers Access to High Performance,

Open Source Java Development Tools for Linux and Embedded Systems

Cygnus Solutions, the leader in open source software, today announced the immediate availability the Cygnus GNU Compiler Java(tm) Edition (GCJ) complete with open source Java libraries.

Now all Java application developers can take advantage of the significant performance gains offered by GCJ, a Java compiler built with GNU compiler technology that allows Java source code and Java byte codes to be compiled to native instructions. The Java libraries (java.lang, java.util, java.io, java.text, and java.net) and compiler are available in source form on http://sourceware.cygnus.com.

GCJ allows developers to write applications in the Java programming language for Linux and Solaris. By compiling to machine code rather than bytecode, Cygnus Java Compiler technology enhances application performance more than twenty times than an interpreted application. This Java technology is also ideal for embedded systems developers, who are seeking the best tradeoffs in performance, memory footprint, and cost.

"As continued proof of our commitment to open source software, Cygnus is delivering our libraries for the Java language to the software development community on Sourceware.cygnus.com," said Kevin Phillips, Java product manager at Cygnus. "The libraries, along with the previously released compiler, provide a Java development environment for high performance and cost effective Java solutions for a wide range of applications."

Cygnus' GNU Compiler Java Edition

Cygnus GCJ technology was developed using the Cygnus GNUPro(tm) framework and allows Java source code and byte codes to be compiled to native code. GCJ-compiled applications, when running native, are not subject to many of the performance and memory management challenges that embedded developers face when using the interpreted or just-in-time models.

Today's update of Cygnus' GCJ compiler will enable the same high-performance compilation of the Java language as offered for C/C++ and Embedded C++. Cygnus has modified the GNU toolchain to provide a complete Java language compiler, linker/loader, libraries, and binary utilities. Cygnus' technological innovations with GNU for the Java language provide software developers the following advantages: -0-

--   Speed -- Code compiled with Cygnus' GCJ is proven to be up to
     twenty times faster than the traditional interpreted
     implementations.

--   Integrates Legacy C/C++ Code Seamlessly -- Cygnus' GCJ is a clean
     room implementation of a Java language compiler that provides
     developers the flexibility to seamlessly link C/C++ functions to
     the Java programming language.

--   Breadth of Targets -- By using the open standard GNUPro compiler,
     Cygnus can offer faster time-to-market options as a result of
     rapid ports to new host/target combinations.

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About Sourceware(tm)

"Sourceware" is a collection of free software infrastructure technologies that provide a common level of functionality to benefit developers, commercial entities, and end users worldwide. For embedded software developers, this infrastructure focuses on basic technologies that all developers require such as compilers, debuggers, and RTOS kernels and is non-differentiating for end products.

Cygnus is committed to enabling innovation in the software market at large, and believes that in order for infrastructure to flourish it cannot be controlled by a single, proprietary vendor. Cygnus' Sourceware initiative is intended to establish open, industry-wide standards in the software development marketplace. Projects currently available on Sourceware include EGCS compilers, CYGWIN32 cross platform porting tools, GCJ, and the recently launched Mauve project featuring a Java Test Suite project for clean-room implementations.

Pricing and availability

GCJ and the libraries are immediately available for Linux and Solaris at http://sourceware.cygnus.com. Embedded developers who wish to use GCJ may contact Cygnus for availability on the more than 125 host/target combinations in the Cygnus product matrix. The Cygnus business model includes ports to industry leading chips and platforms, robust and comprehensive product releases, and subscription support.

For more information on Cygnus' software development technologies, client services, and Sourceware, contact Cygnus at +1-800-CYGNUS1 (outside the U.S. call [phone]) or visit the Web site at www.cygnus.com.

About Cygnus Solutions

The market leader in open source software, Cygnus Solutions offers development tools and operating systems based on an open source model.

From GNUPro Toolkit to eCos(tm), the Embedded Cygnus Operating System, Cygnus' open source and royalty-free software benefits Linux, Windows NT/95, and UNIX systems developers in a wide variety of market segments, including consumer electronics, Internet, telecommunications, office automation, networking, aerospace and automotive.

Cygnus' products, custom engineering services, and Developer Support services enable customers to bring products to market faster at reduced system development costs.

Founded in 1989, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Cygnus has sales and engineering offices throughout North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Note to Editors: Cygnus is a registered trademark, and Sourceware, Cygnus GNUPro Toolkit and Cygnus Source-Navigator are trademarks of Cygnus Solutions. Java and all Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Cygnus Solutions is independent of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Open Source is a trademark of the Open Source Initiative. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.