ReggaetonKing

I have this new project coming along and I would like your opinion on which language to use. This project is a database driven web application for the Navy. I am deciding whether I should use Java or C# (ASP.NET) for the language.

The reason I ask this is because I'm fluent in Java and using C# (ASP.NET) would take some time to learn for the project (e.g. the libraries, new terminologies, etc.). Although I have no experience using Java for web development, I don't see that getting in the way too much.

What are your thoughts?

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Harakim

For me, Java is often overkill for web applications. I've never used ASP, but I guess it is kind of the same thing? I'm currently working with Adobe Flex for my web stuff. I don't know if you could use that, but it makes life really easy.

Random-Spirit

>I am deciding whether I should use Java or C# (ASP.NET) for the language.

Is there any reason why you are limiting yourself to just Java and C#? If you are going to use something new why not consider php or perl as well as Java or c#.

>I'm fluent in Java and using C# (ASP.NET) would take some time to learn for the project

Learning a new language can be fun but it can take some time to be up to speed with all its quriks and api's. If the project is important to be finished on time and to budget then use what you know. If you are new to a technology you will not know the security issues that are involoved and the various pitfalls.

>Although I have no experience using Java for web development, I don't see that getting in the way too much.

I think you should really look into the details of JSP and see if you still stand by that statement. You might know Java well but if you have no experience with JSP I would stay clear of it. ASP.net is the same, its not just a matter of knowing the language its all in knowing the API's and understanding how it all fits together.

Have you aksed the Navy what they want? To run ASP.net you need to have Windows Server with IIS running, plus you will need a copy of Visual Studio. To run Java you will need J2EE and some supported OS to run it on. I think you should also look at what database you will be running. You should then look at how well it integrates with ADO.net and JDBC. If it does not have a quality connector then it will cause issues.

I know this is not quite what you asked but dont rule out php unless the navy does not like it. php is easy to learn and is quick to write code in. It works well on small and meduim sized projects. It is also a fair bit less complecated than ASP.net of JSP. ASP.net and JSP are more for enterprise scale apps.

If you have never written a web app before then it will take you much longer than you think to write this project as you will need to learn as you go. Find out what the Navy are prepared to run as a server and a database. If they dont want to spend lots of money on Microsoft software then ASP.net is probably not a option. JSP is complex but you know Java so that is half the battle, but JSP is quite complex and you might regret it later. php is not liked by some companies as it is FOSS, but it does a great job. Best of Luck.

ReggaetonKing

PHP is also an opinion. I am very flexible in which databases I can use because they have a lot installed on the servers. I am using DreamWeaver CS3 right now on the base for my web projects. I have written several web application before. Some in ASP and some in PHP. I just figured since I knew Java, JSP and Servlets were an valuable opinion.

I am going to look into PHP for this project. Either MySQL or SQL Server 2005 will most likely be the databases.

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I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code!

Infinite Recursion

For web applications I tend to stick to PHP/MySql for small to medium range projects, then over to Plsql/Oracle for enterprise level web apps. I'm thinking of looking into asp.net for an upcoming project however.

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alcdotcom

I like Java with Struts and/or JSF. I haven't tried Struts 2 yet, but I hear it's even better. I would never use bare JSP/Servlets again (JSP 2.0 is basically like ASP.Net pages) after using web frameworks like Struts. It's like walking 10 miles to get somewhere instead of jumping on the express train. I also like Hibernate. It makes Persistence (databases) a snap. I know a lot of people think Java technologies are overkill for web development, and that may be true if you're developing a rinky-dink little app that you really don't plan on extending. However, if you want to build something that will be more scalable and maintainable, Java technologies can give you a leg up - especially if you use the available frameworks. You can create a working application very quickly. I also like the fact that all of the tools I use to develop/debug/test web apps are 100% free.

That's my personal preference.

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