I have read some doom and gloom threads about Java on these boards. I am investing a significant amount of time and energy into becoming a proficient Java programmer& thus decided to research the topic. It seems to me that you always have to worry about a non-Microsoft preferred technology, but that Java is gaining traction. These are a few of the research notes that I have come across:
* Tactical Guideline: The use of Java technology will continue to be most prevalent within markets that are highly affected by the threat of e-business-based competition.
* Tactical Guideline: The use of Java technology will continue to be most prevalent within markets that are highly affected by the threat of e-business-based competition.
* Strategic Planning Assumption: Through 2005, more than 60 percent of enterprises will budget upper-end departmental, enterprise-, and global-class projects with Java technology (0.7 probability)
Source = Gartner 24 May 2002
CIO Update: Microsoft and Java Technologies Reach Parity for Application Development Use
* Java Has Penetrated as Many Enterprises as Visual Basic
* The Java language has achieved an enormous success among survey respondents: As many enterprises say they use Java as Visual Basic, or VB (see Figure 9).
* The maturity of Java, which has been available longer than .NET, continues to give it a tactical advantage over Microsoft.
* However, Gartner expects that, as .NET matures, Microsoft will challenge Java for market primacy in building enterprise-class applications, and Java will threaten Microsoft�s market share in lower-end AD.
Source = Gartner 12 Sept 2002
The Cost and Risk of Application Development Decisions
Just some information to share with everyone. It seems to me that Java isn�t a clear winner, but it is certainly a solid contender in many development spaces.