Microsoft vs. Sun

It's interesting to note the approach Microsoft and Sun have each taken:

Microsoft
1 platform - many languages

Sun
1 language - many platforms


I personally find it difficult to blame each for what they've done.

Microsoft owns the world's most widely used operating system: Windows. It's natural that they would want to make it easier for people (skilled in any programming language) to write software for their operating system; it helps to proliferate it.

Sun wants to contain the expansion and usage of Windows and at the same time increase their OS's (Solaris) marketshare. So they created Java, a language/library package that's supposed to allow you to write your software once and run it everywhere. This reduces the appeal of Windows since now you can just get a cheap PC loaded with Linux (or Solaris) and run a Java application that could just as well run on a mainframe.

I think we as the developers have to judge what's important. Is an application that can run everywhere (with some tradeoffs such as lower performance) what's important; or is it more important to write an application that will only run on only one platform but run efficiently and be used by a much larger audience?

What do you think?

Alvaro

I think you have some very interesting points... Ive been struggling along in the learning process and have finaly settled down and decided to stick with java and internet developement.... I tend do like the sun approach a bit better.
Personally I think its best to know both.........

It really does depend on what your requirements are.

If you are developing software that must run across the internet, must run on all platforms or in a whole variety of web browsers, then Java is probably the best choice.

If you are writing software that you know will only ever run on Windows machines across a network, but performance is an issue, or you need a fast user interface (Java doesn't provide this) then C# or any language that uses the .NET facilities will probably be best.

If you are writing software that is extremely performance based and should only run on a single computer, for example a real time game, C, C++ or even some Assembler is probably the best language tool for the job. Note here that if it is a game it will probably need networking for Multiplayer, then you could use Winsock or DirectPlay.

In The case of Commercial Software:
Whatever option allows the company to make the most profit for its shareholders. This ofcourse should include factors such as widest market, least development cost, and most appealing end result for customers. In other words sell the most product for the greatest margin.

In Private Companies:
Same thing as above, but the goal is to make money for the owners.

Not For Profit:
This depends on whatver the goal of the not for profit company is.


-Brad

Well, although I believe in the right tool for the right job, I am pretty much microsoft all the way.

I like .Net in the beta programming experience I have had so and believe it will be the direction I will take our company in. However, as mentioned in other responses, this reasoning is based on the needs of our company and I think .Net will fit them very well. You can't go wrong with Microsoft (except for their documentation).

I like the idea of many languages from the same Development IDE. The very fact that you can write a solution in multiple languages at he same time is a huge plus in additional to cell phone, pda, and access all other electronic toys.

Hey,

Don't just bag on their documentation, bag on their customer support. Anyone ever talk to a customer support rep at Microsoft and get a good answer quick? Also why does MSIE 6.0 take up so much RAM? What is so great about Microsoft? They seem to have a knack for breaking all the useful technology every time it threatens to become a money maker for another company. Who really cares whether the Microsoft Pet Shop Application runs faster than the Java Pet Shop Application. Was Microsoft running the .Net Pet Shop application on a Sun? I dont think so. They were probably running it on a Cray. Microsoft is just a big frightened kid, and they are still afraid of little old Java. The reason why Microsoft quit supporting Java, is because Windows is still based on a 640KB barrier operating system from the 70's and Java is a life preserver for all those programmers who hate it(but have to program on it)!

fwiw,
ahoodin

Ever wonder if a space shuttle will run Windows XP(probably never)? You will know when it unexpectedly sets down on the front lawn at Microsoft for re-licensing.

<edit> Did it ever occur to you that Sun, Linux, and all of Microsoft's "competitors" don't shoot for the market that MS does? I would love to see somebody's parents get work done on a Linux box as easily as it can be done in Windows. I say "competitors" because some time ago Sun decided to not take the path MS did, and now MS caters to the needs of many (many being not just for space shuttles, moron).

And Microsoft is just a big frightened kid? It is a multi-billion dollar corporation. Where was the last multi-billion dollar corporation that could ever be looked upon as just a big frightened kid?

Ever wonder if most of the world would run so user friendly on Solaris or Linux (probably never), you will know when people start spending time just to learn how to use their computers because they bought it from someone who doesn't care to cater to their needs (which is fine, because the people they make their machines and OS for, appreciate it).

have any one found a Thread in this Forum:
C# is nothing but Java--

I think the audience is most important and as far as i am concerned, i don't care about the fact, that my apps "only" run on windows machines (so my apps run on 90 percent of all desktops in the world).

man, you have no idea of .net . c# is only a language and a language means nothing in a .net project.

My Question was different
Any Body saw a message titled C# is Java --

<edit> If you knew anything, Microsoft is not creating any more Windows OS's that have the 640KB barrier. Windows XP is based on NT technology and therefor does not suffer of the same problems that were in Windws 95. Windows 2000 was even based on NT technology.
Also a space shuttle just now uses a 486 (x86) chip. It will probably never run linux/sun/hp-ux/windows or any other kind of os you can think of. I find it rediculous that you mention the space shuttle and how it won't run Windows XP. Please tell me you don't think it will ever run java? I find your ignorance painful.
And actually I have used there customer support. You just need to pay for it to get a good anwser just like everything else in this world. Nothing is free. Why don't you go to your car dealer and ask them for a free oil change or tune up and see if you get it.

Andrew

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<edit>If you knew anything, Microsoft is not creating any more Windows OS's that have the 640KB barrier. Windows XP is based on NT technology and

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And you have a knack for not reading. If you knew how to read, you would see that I wrote that windows is *based* on a 640k Barrier Operating system. XP is a licensing nightmare. Why does the average family home have to call microsoft. Why can't Microwsoft make a real time operating system anyway?

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therefor does not suffer of the same problems that were in Windws 95. Windows 2000 was even based &gt;on NT technology.

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Uh...you mean NT5 don't you?

Also a space shuttle just now uses a 486 (x86) chip. It will probably never run linux/sun/hp-ux/windows or any other kind of os you can think of. I find it rediculous that you mention the space shuttle and how it won't run Windows XP. Please tell me you don't think it will ever run java? I find your ignorance painful.[/quote]

And I find you lacking creative or new ideas. You really have no content do you? Also you are like 2 months too late. The thread is over.

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And actually I have used there customer support. You just need to pay for it to get a good anwser just like everything else in this world. Nothing is free. Why don't you go to your car dealer and ask them for a free oil change or tune up and see if you get it.

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Geese dont get so defensive, if you can't tell the truth, you are going to always look like you are miss-speaking. Operating systems are best given away with quality hardware. The dealership has given me several oil changes for free over the years, they find that occasionally even they need good PR.

One main issue I see people constantly bypass is hte issue of installation. Every version of Windows starting at XP will come with a copy of the FCL and CRL. This way any .NET application will simply run. And unlike Java, these applications will almost certainly be compile once and run everywhere. This is more of a certainty for Microsoft because quite simply they control the environment.

On hte other hand before you can run any Java application you must install the JRE. Even though this is default on SUN and MAC OSX, Microsoft has a much larger market share. I think this will ultamitely play a very large factor.

Jared Parsons