SANTA CRUZ, CA, November 27, 2002 - The People’s Republic of China is emerging as one of the world’s Open Source Linux operating system strongholds, according to a new report compiled from in-depth interviews with more than 1,000 Chinese software developers.

The Evans Data Corp. 2002 Chinese Developer Survey, Vol. 2, released in November, found that two-thirds of Chinese developers (65%) expect to write an application for Linux in the next year. Close to half (44%) have already done so.

The research, completed last month, revealed that intentions to use Linux as a primary host OS next year are expected to increase by 175%. About one in eight Chinese developers say their primary OS target next year will be Linux.

“Our research suggests that a significant shift in operating systems may be underway in China, possibly as a response to the urging of the government to adopt Linux,” commented Evans Data analyst Esther Schindler. “However, while Windows use has declined from the last Chinese survey, the developers are not automatically switching to Linux – many are adopting Java virtual machines as a native development environment and as the target OS on which they expect their applications to run. Ten percent of Chinese developers say their primary host OS will be a JVM next year.”

The Chinese Developer Survey series addresses a broad range of concerns, issues and attitudes of developers working in China. The contents of the survey include: Platform Use and Migrations, Language Usage, Security, Linux, Java, Tools and Development Issues.

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.

Copyright 2007 Evans Data Corporation. All other company names, products and services mentioned in this document are the trademarks and property of their respective owners.

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