Java vs .NET: Factors to Consider

Java and Microsoft .NET are two leading technologies intended for development of desktop and server-side applications. Both platforms enable the use of high-level programming languages to build large-scale applications. While both Java and .NET are often referred to as frameworks, only .NET is actually a framework in the strictest meaning of this word. In fact, the .NET platform uses ASP.NET as a web application framework to allow developers to create web apps.

Bearing in mind that Java and .NET are among the most popular technologies for building websites and web apps, most businesses face the choice of selecting one or the other as a primary tool for developing apps and online services. You need to know their main advantages and applications before you select the platform that best fits your needs. But what are the main differences between Java and .NET?

The Core Differences between Java and .NET

The main difference between Java and .NET is that Java, usually Java Enterprise Edition (JEE), can work on any operating system, while .NET works only on various versions of Windows. While a limited number of open-source implementations of .NET are available, this framework is still targeting Windows users. At the same time, Java takes advantage of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which follows the concept that code should run on any device and under any operating system, thus making itself a portable and platform-independent programming tool.

Both platforms provide support for common programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, and Python. Java developers can also use languages such as Java, JavaScript, Clojure, Groovy, and Scala while .NET developers can code in C#, F#, VB.NET, C++, and .NET. The two platforms also support other, less popular languages. However, the J2EE framework sets Java as a default language, while .NET is compatible with other languages such as C#, F#, and VB.net. This is a more flexible approach to development of business apps, although it requires more varied coding skills.

Another substantial difference is related to an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that each platform requires. Basically, an IDE is a software suite that provides must-have tools for a developer to build and test software applications. The default IDE for .NET applications is Microsoft Visual Studio, which is a sophisticated tool to build apps. Java developers can select between four main IDEs available on the market. These are Eclipse, IntelliJ Idea, Oracle NetBeans, and Oracle JDeveloper.

According to the statistics by the job search site Indeed, Java developers are in higher demand than .NET ones, and job seekers perform more searches for Java jobs compared to searches for positions requiring .NET skills.

Both trend lines, however, go up and down shoulder to shoulder, reflecting the overall demand and supply for .NET and Java jobs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of .NET

The main single advantage of the .NET platform is its unified environment provided by Microsoft. The platform provides seamless horizontal scalability where most tools and IDEs can be found within the Microsoft Developer Network.

On the other hand, support is available only for the Entity Framework, which results in limited object-relational support of .NET. Managed code in this framework often runs slower than native code, while developers depend only on Microsoft for new features and enhancements.

Overall, migration to .NET is more expensive compared to other frameworks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Java

Java is portable, so you can choose whatever operating system you need to build your app or website. Object-relational support is better, and Java calls the database less often, keeping everything in domain objects.

Java apps integrate more seamlessly with other platforms by using more advanced Continuous Integration tools such as Jenkins and Travis CI. Numerous free integrating connectors are available for Java, and the Java community is strong and growing.

Additionally, migrating between Java platforms is easy, as they provide backward compatibility.

Possible security breaches are the main concern when it comes to Java, because such issues occur more often in platform-agnostic solutions. On top of that, Scala functions don’t work well with Groovy, requiring advanced software developing skills. Also, some developers claim that Java can be slower than other languages because of its multi-platform nature.

Java and .NET: Which Platform to Choose

Evidently, Java and .NET have a bit different approach to software development when it comes to IDEs and portability. Nonetheless, both platforms pursue the same goals and target the same market segment: scalable enterprise applications and online solutions.

One of the major factors to consider when choosing between Java and .NET is whether you have access to particular development skills. Some companies have large in-house development teams, but others rely on outsourcing to reliable software development teams such as .NET developers from Itransition. Another factor to consider is whether you have the required infrastructure to support a complex app or website built with .NET, or you need a more flexible approach that Java-based solutions can offer.

You can build excellent software on both .NET and Java, having in mind that .NET developers are harder to find. This doesn’t mean you need no assistance from knowledgeable Java development consultants to build a complex application using Java.

Overall, it is easier to build sophisticated apps that deal with more users or handle larger amounts of data in Java. The .NET framework is considered more advantageous when delivery of web-based content is concerned and you need to design a richer graphic user interface (GUI).

The widespread view that .NET is more appropriate when you create enterprise-level solutions is misleading, though. Enterprise-level apps, websites, and online services are created mainly in PHP, and only then ASP.NET and Java come in line. According to SimilarTech, the PHP framework is powering some 19 percent of all online solutions, but you should be aware that PHP is also available for developers in both .NET and Java environments.

Interoperability is a field where .NET trails Java, especially when you need open-source compatibility. A growing number of organizations implement open source solutions, even in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. As a result, Microsoft is looking for the way to close the gap in the .NET framework’s interoperability beyond Windows and integrate with open-source tools and platforms closer.

Finally, you need to evaluate the project costs against each of the platforms. If you rely mostly on Windows-based software to run your business and you are a loyal client of Microsoft products, you may need to opt for a .NET-powered solution to minimise expenditures. If you select a Java solution to reduce costs, you need to assess a good number of related software and supporting tools to choose the right mix of Java tools.

Summing up, there is no wrong or right choice between .NET and Java. It all depends on available development skills, underlying infrastructure, requirements for interoperability, and end-user environments, since both platforms actually provide very similar features and functionality.