OSS through Java -- a standards-based approach to integration

Designing application programming interfaces (APIs) for reuse is a balance between making an API easy to use while ensuring that it is generic enough to support a range of client requirements. This is easier to achieve in theory than practice, requiring in-depth knowledge of the business domain and implementation technology. The OSS through Java? (OSS/J?) Initiative comprises equipment vendors, independent software vendors (ISVs) and system integrators (SIs) that are producing a practical set of Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE?) based APIs designed to support the business and technology goals of a telecommunications service provider. This paper overviews the work of the OSS/J Initiative and evaluates the likelihood of it being adopted and reused as the standard practice for operational support systems interfaces.