The open source framework designed to help developers create Ajax applications using Java, also known as Google Web Toolkit (GWT), is officially out of beta.

Google engineers Dan Peterson and and Bruce Johnson: "The magic trick is that GWT cross-compiles Java source code into standalone JavaScript that you can include in any Web page," they said. "Instead of spending time becoming JavaScript gurus and fighting browser quirks, developers using GWT spend time productively coding and debugging in the robust Java programming language, using their existing Java tools and expertise." Johnson estimates that using GWT can result in software with 30% less code and able to run 20%-50% faster.