.NET vs JAVA

[Jackalope]

Java SE/EE is a platform and Java is a programming language that use that platform .

Pedantically true - and that's almost certainly what they teach you at university, but the complete answer is much more nuanced than that.

In any case, Syn's objections are valid. You can directly compare Java the language to C#, and .NET the framework to Java SE/EE, Java SE+Spring/Spring MVC, Java SE+Spring/GWT, or any number of combinations of the above (any of which could be, or perhaps have been, implemented in the C#/.NET computing biosphere).

I suppose if you're looking for some kind of comparison, it would be helpful to understand what sort of metrics are meaningful to you.

[bennyboy]

I have a fair bit of experience programming in C# .NET, as well as some C++, but not with Java

In my opinion, ANY time you have portability, you are likely giving up either some efficiency or access to some features. In C#, you can get handles to open windows, over-write the paint procedures for them to do cool stuff, monitor some inputs (like keyboard presses) very directly, etc. In other words, you get to make your program do everything Windows is designed to do-- and this gives your application a consistent, "integrated" feel to it. The Visual Studio designer is also very good, IMO. I can design a form, pop buttons and other controls on it, and make a program that actually does something useful in just a few minutes.

From experience with programming for Android in a Java IDE, I personally don't feel it's as pleasant an experience. But that might just be the lack of hours using it. But I will say this: if you want access to the phone market, you are going to HAVE to learn to work with Android (Java), Windows (C#) and iOS (whatever), or miss out on big parts of the market.

[bennyboy]

I am not a programming professional and I chiefly oppose Microsoft on the basis of their history of anti-competitive business practices leading to what was an effectively monopolistic position in operating systems with attendant quality failures and price gouging.

Then you've never heard of Apple.

[WinterHold]

Well, that's a hard choice buddy...

.NET is strong as hell, with ASP.NET it literally changed my view about web programming but under that framework C# is just your perfect next generation C++.

Java was nice too, but not as strong. Mainly, you will always reach limits that you won't find in .NET, as other members commented, Java framework is mainly the language alone. Unlike .NET -which is a full platform-.

Take this example : you are building a website and you chose ASP.NET's MVC as your methodology of development. LINQ is there embedded in the platform, along with actual C# embedding (just add @ even if it was inside an html view), things become connected, strong and easy to reach.

But try it with java : it's actually impossible unless you load your java code on a server, and communicate to it via javascript or php embedded in your html page. How to include a java code inside your html page ? thus, it will require a larger team to do what a single person can do easily under the .NET framework.

I didn't choose neither, and that because I like both.

[bennyboy]

Yeah, for web development, ASP + Javascript = win. Screw having to deal with a million different PHP libraries and trying to figure out all the freaking documentation, conflicts, etc. And the nice thing about ASP is you get access to most of .NET just like you would on a desktop-- so you can access all the graphical libraries etc. that you're already used to using in Windows development.

My only beef with ASP is that Ajax controls break too easily-- I usually end up doing all my client-side stuff with Javascript and J-query.

[IATIA]

I am a Mac guy, but I have two Windoze machines at work, due to the programs I use on a daily basis. One computer, with a slower microprocessor, outshines the faster one because it does not have the .NET framework on it, whereas the other uses a variety of programs that rely on the .NET framework and it runs like a pig.

Java has too much overhead and I just do not like it, but it does make for multiple platform identities.

C# just makes large memory consuming programs, but it does run quick and it also is multi-platform.

My answer to the poll is (3) None of the above.

[bennyboy]

C# just makes large memory consuming programs, but it does run quick and it also is multi-platform.

This is true. I think it's how the garbage-handling works. But as a programmer, it's nice not to have to allocate your own memory. How many times in C have I sprung a leak because I had a stupid 1-off error in setting up an array or something like that? Hint: it's non-zero.

[Marsellus Wallace]

C# just makes large memory consuming programs, but it does run quick and it also is multi-platform.

This is true. I think it's how the garbage-handling works. But as a programmer, it's nice not to have to allocate your own memory. How many times in C have I sprung a leak because I had a stupid 1-off error in setting up an array or something like that? Hint: it's non-zero.

talk about memory allocations in C, it's a mess

and the fact that the scope of the array being only inside the method and you can't return an array from a method sucks, malloc() helps, but still all these things are so low leveled, they make you worry more about the low level crap, than the actual software problems.

[pocaracas]

I use IDL and Python.
The windows are terrible to look at (QT ou TK), but it works and you barely worry about memory and pointers and references.

[Marsellus Wallace]

I use IDL and Python.
The windows are terrible to look at (QT ou TK), but it works and you barely worry about memory and pointers and references.

tried Qt once, it was terrible for me, I get that it offers portability and you don't have to deal with the API and all that, but the way of coding and calling methods(using signals and slots) is so unconventional and i'm not used to.