PDDC-I in Phoenix is announcing a Java software solution for hard real-time applications. Known as Scorpion, the Eclipse-based tool set delivers two orders of magnitude lower latency than competitive real-time Java solutions, DDC-I officials say. Scorpion supports mixed-language development, which makes it possible to combine Java with other languages such as C, Embedded C++, and Ada. Scorpion supports the existing Real-Time Specification for Java (RTSJ), and will support the emerging safety-critical Java specification presently under development by the Safety-Critical Java Expert Group (JSR 302). The Scorpion environment features compilers and debuggers for Java, Ada, C, and Embedded C++, a builder for ahead-of-time Java file compilation, and a virtual machine (ScorpionVM) for executing real-time Java applications. Scorpion also features a smart linker that removes unused objects from closed systems. Scorpion uses technology from aicas GmbH that provides for deterministic garbage collection-a prerequisite for executing bounded, hard real-time applications, DDC-I officials say. The Scorpion garbage collector is distributed, which reduces overall Java complexity. The Scorpion garbage collector also enhances memory efficiency and performance by reducing garbage accumulation and the memory/time required to store and collect it. For more information, contact DDC-I online at www.ddci.com.