JSR 347: Data Grids for the Java Platform Approved – Specification Essential for Large-scale Cloud Deployments

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { }

Last month, we announced that we had submitted several new specifications for Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 7 (JSR 342). One of those Java Specification Requests (JSRs) was for distributed data grids that allow easier and more cost-effective scaling for the data-tier, which is essential for large-scale cloud or utility computing and multi-tenant application platforms. We've received the first update on these JSRs – JSR 347: Data Grids for the Java platform was voted on and approved by the Java Community Process (JCP) Executive Committee!

Here's the official description of JSR 347 from our submission:

This specification proposes to provide an API for accessing, storing, and managing data in a distributed data grid.

The primary API will build upon and extend JSR-107 (JCACHE) API. In addition to its genericized map-like API to access a cache, JSR-107 defines SPIs for spooling in-memory data to persistent storage, an API for obtaining a named cache from a CacheManager and an API to register event listeners.

Above and beyond JSR-107, this JSR will define characteristics and expectations from eviction, replication and distribution, and transactions (via the JTA specification). Further, it would define an asynchronous, non-blocking API as an alternative to JSR-107’s primary API, as non-blocking access to data becomes a concern when an implementation needs to perform remote calls, as in the case of a data grid.

This specification builds upon JSR-107, which is not yet complete. We intend to work with the JSR-107 EG to ensure that its schedule is compatible with the schedule for this JSR. If JSR-107 is unable to complete, we propose merging the last available draft into this specification.

In the weeks and months to come, we'll keep you posted on the other JSRs we submitted, and other significant Java EE 7 milestones. In the meantime, if you're interested in learning more about open source data grids, sign up for more information on our JBoss Enterprise Data Grid 6 Early Access Program, or check out Infinispan, the JBoss Community project JBoss Enterprise Data Grid is based on.