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Expand .NET Beyond Windows
.NET applications are a sure thing for Windows, but it'll take cross platform expansion for Microsoft to compete in high-end enterprise accounts.
by Mark Driver

For this solution: .NET Framework, Java, C#, Linux, Mono

In last month's column, I compared .NET and Java and covered several issues related to how these platforms are becoming the de facto choices for the vast majority of new e-business-centric application development efforts. Because Java will be .NET's primary competition for market share, comparisons between the two platforms are inevitable. This is particularly true for efforts associated with next-generation Internet and Web services solutions. For many years to come, proponents of both platforms will undoubtedly be locked into fierce techno-religious debate over which is superior. To make matters worse, as .NET and Java continue to leapfrog each other over the next few years, this debate will become harsher as each side scrambles to strengthen its position and influence the choice of technologies within enterprises.

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) will certainly factor into the selection process for companies forced to choose one over the other. And when you contrast the two technologies, in many areas, there will be no clear winner. However, currently one significant differentiator stands out as a clear point of reference and will polarize the market: Today, for all practical purposes, .NET is a Windows-only technology. Alternatively, Java runs on practically every major operating system in the world. This month I'll look into potential driving factors and the realities of .NET beyond Windows.

Get Beyond Windows
For companies largely committed to Microsoft operating systems and middleware as the exclusive choice for back office data center services, .NET is the clear choice. However, as I discussed in last month's column, larger companies tend to have a mixture of hardware and OS platforms. Java's broad adoption and availability on so many platforms, compounded by its support among nearly all enterprise software giants (such as Oracle, IBM, BEA, and Sybase), is a major driving factor for its adoption today.