ALAMEDA, USA: Perforce Software announced the release of P4Java, Perforce's pure Java API for accessing Perforce SCM services from within Java applications, servlets, plug-ins, and other Java contexts.

P4Java allows developers to tightly integrate Perforce functionality into tools such as CruiseControl, Maven, and Ant, and in environments such as J2EE-based web application and web service frameworks. Perforce SCM versions and manages source code and digital assets for enterprises large and small.

P4Java is a pure Java implementation of the client-side Perforce networking protocol that speaks directly to the Perforce server. Perforce-managed resources, files, and services are available as first-class Java interfaces, classes, methods, and objects, rather than simple strings or command-line-like functions.

"We understand that Java developers don't want an API that looks like it was grafted on or taken from another development language or ecosystem," said Alan Teague, development manager for integrations at Perforce Software. "The new P4Java API allows Java plug-in and apps developers direct access to Perforce SCM features and services in Java-natural ways."

Perforce supports typical workflows and development lifecycle models encountered within the Java ecosystem. Open source and commercial tools that support continuous integration and other agile workflows may also be extended to transparently provide Perforce SCM services, added the release.