Both Java and .NET address many of the same issues and offer similar features; after all, they are both platforms attempting to address contemporary IT issues. However, different ideologies lie at their hearts, and different organizations guide their future.

There is undeniable strength in a single, well-executed vision backed by substantial money and resources. Microsoft has hit the road running with the first release of .NET. Time will see more legacy Microsoft products and technologies either replaced by or integrated into the .NET platform. Still, at this point, we’re not predicting anything other than an even share of the enterprise market going to Java and .NET in the coming years.

Whatever the outcome, both Java and .NET will be important platforms in the years to come. We have been happy and successful Java developers for many years, but primarily we are technologists. We looked at .NET and liked what we saw; we would suggest all Java programmers do the same and make an informed decision for themselves.