Linux users wishing to expand their presence on the web and use Inprise/Borland software products are the prime targets for the Australian release of Inprise's Application Server 4.0.

Inprise says the product is based on open industry standards, and "delivers the ideal foundation for users to expand their presence on the web and provides them with the technology needed to support enterprise-strength internet business applications".

The release is part of the company's ongoing efforts to make Linux versions of its products. The company claims that it allows developers to "leverage" the Java programming and the Linux operating system to "deploy powerful Internet business applications".

As part of Inprise/Borland's ongoing commitment to the Linux platform, the company recently announced:

* InterBase 6, the relational SQL database which is currently in beta, to be open-sourced for Linux and other platforms.

* JBuilder 3 Foundation, the award-winning FREE Java rapid application development (RAD) environment for Linux, Solaris and Windows.

* Kylix (Delphi/C++ Builder for Linux), the first native RAD environment for the Linux platform, which is scheduled to be available in the middle of the year.

* Borland's online Linux survey last July, which attracted over 24,000 respondents, and found a significant rise in the number of users developing on the Linux platform.

* A new Linux community, on the company's developer community website (http://community.borland.com).

The company said its Inprise Application Server was the first application server to fully integrate the benefits of EJB and CORBA. A free 60-day evaluation version of Inprise Application Server 4.0 is available for download at http://www.borland.com.au/linux.