Exercise 5-3

5-3. Framework for development. Compare and contrast any Two of:

a. Java

b. .NET

c. Ruby on Rails

d. Turbo Gears

e. Google Gears

f. AJAX frameworks.

I would like to compare and contrast the framework between Java and .NET based on c-charpcorner (2001).

I.) Object-oriented approach - Both of them use an object-oriented approach for design.

II.) CLR vs JVM - The .NET framework's Common Language Runtime (CLR) is much similar to Java Virtual Machine (JVM), in terms of garbage collection, security, just in time compilation (JIT).

One of the fundamental differences between Java Virtual Machine (JVM) instruction sets and Common Intermediate Language (CIL) is that JVM is big endian ( most significant byte first) and CIL uses little endian ( least significant byte first) binary representation. This difference will not be apparent to most of the programmers. Only system level programmers would have to deal with it.

III.) Multiple platform vs multiple languages - Java platform views the Internet world as one language running on different operating systems (OS), whereas .NET framework views the world running on one OS with a programmers having choice of multiple languages. Therefore Java platform interpolates multiple operating systems, and .NET framework interpolates multiple languages.

IV.) Assemblies - An assembly is the functional unit of sharing and reuse in the Common Language Runtime. It is the equivalent of JAR (Java Archive) files of Java. The Microsoft documentation stress that assemblies are "logical dlls". This may be a reasonable paradigm for VB or C++ programmers, but Java programmers will find it easier, if we visualize assemblies as an extension of JAR concept. However, unlike JAR, each assembly can have only one entry point defined, which can be either DllMain, WinMain, or Main.

V.) Conclusion - .NET is definitely an improvement over Java framework, but it is NOT going to displace Java any time soon. Though in coming years Java and .NET will converge.
It currently lacks support for other platforms. Since .NET has been architected by Microsoft, it is less likely to find the open source support base of free thinking programmers, which was one of the main reasons of Java's popularity.


References:
c-charpcorner (2001). “.Net framework comparsion with Java Architecture”. Received 20th March, 2009 from URL - http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/abanerjee/DotNetforJava11292005023419AM/DotNetforJava.aspx