JCP (Java Community Process)

From the JCP website http://www.jcp.org, JCP is the way the Java platform evolves. It is an open organization of international Java developers and licensees whose charter is to develop and revise Java technology specifications, reference implementations, and technology compatibility kits. Both Java technology and the JCP were originally created by Sun Microsystems, however, the JCP has evolved from the informal process that Sun used beginning in 1995, to a formalized process overseen by representatives from many organizations across the Java community.

JCP is the primary organization to develop and standardize Java APIs. The standardization process involves four major steps: Initiation in the form of a JSR (Java Specification Request) submission, Community Draft available for review by JCP members, Public Draft available for review by general public, and the final specification.