J2EE stands for Java 2 Enterprise Edition and is formerly known as the Java 2 Platform. J2EE is known as being the industry standard for building next-generation web applications and implementing enterprise-class service-oriented architecture (SOA).

The current version of J2EE changes the name to Java EE 5. However, the functions remain largely the same. This language allows developers to create enterprise applications that are scalable and portable. These applications are then able to easily integrate with enterprise applications.

A server that is running J2EE can handle transactions, scalability, concurrency and security along with the management of various other components. The Java Servlet application programming interface negates the necessity for a graphical user interface for developers, and other specifications are unique to J2EE.

• Java Beans
• Enterprise JavaBeans
• Servlets
• Portlets
• JavaServer pages messaging
• XML

The first major component of J2EE is the ability to speed up the development of client multi-tier applications. Secondly, the J2EE platform allows for Java servlets and a Java-based message service, which is commonly referred to as JMS. A third component, the compatibility test suite of J2EE, ensures that J2EE products are compatible with platform standards. Fourth, reference implementation covers all of the capabilities of the J2EE platform and also provides its operational definition.