Java and MS tools

[substring]

I read a recent article about the legal settlement between MS and Sun regarding Java. Microsoft is barred from using the term "Java compatible" (or something like that).

The article also said that it might be bad news to those who use both MS tools (like VB) and Java. They might have to choose one over the other.

What are your thoughts on this? TIA.

substring.

The only news I heard was at http://java.sun.com/lawsuit/ which didn't mention VB. I don't think you'd have to choose between VB and Java (although I already have--my handle doesn't reflect it). I think you'll have to choose between MS Java and Sun Java as in 7 years from now. I'm already with Sun Java.

[substring]

I think both java and VB have their plus and minus (and that goes with any other progamming language) , and I like to be able to use both to compliment each other.

Java so far is good on server side development. Other than that, it is still kind of inadequate. Am I right?

substring.

It's good to know a few different languages to handle the task at hand.

I switched to Java when I was disappointed with MS's documentation for Sockets (code would not compile or work as documented--even the latest, greatest from the msdn website).

So, I'll agree with you on the serverside and inadequacy comment. I liked VB and VC++ for the quick front end GUI. Although IBM's Visual Age for Java and others can layout GUI's, it's a pain (compared to VB) to make the connections and write code. Plus, I don't have an IDE at home. Also, the display of a running application and a running applet sometimes doesn't seem drawn (repainted) properly -- another front-end inadequacy.

Sun probably needs to deal better with the interface to the native calls to the underlying O/S for graphical display. Now I'm wondering if Java Development and Deployment on Linux will be much better than on Windows (since Windows is usually my underlying O/S). Maybe a total decoupling from MS and Windows is necessary.

I think more lawsuits against MS may be in order. Hotmail sometimes claims that jar files (like zip files) are carrying a virus.

[substring]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, it did cross my mind to try out Linux (my Linux CD is still sitting in my drawer gathering dust, ha). I am sure Java will work much better on Linux than Windows.

I don't want to decouple totally from MS, but it won't hurt to check out "the other side of the mountain". It is called diversification, haha.

By the way, Hotmail is very "trigger happy" on guarding against virus and spams.

Thanks again.

substring.

This thread http://forums.vb-world.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52671 looks like you were onto something about choosing one over the other. Personally I think they fill different needs (although I have basically "chosen" Java).

[sail3005]

i would choose java. I don't like the fact that it can be used on only one OS, and if microsoft tries to dump windows or VB, then everyone who is a VB expert is screwed.

Java works on many many platforms, and is simular to c++, pascal, javascript (at least more than VB) so you have more optins.