Dot Net

Microsoft .NET (Skill Review)

The .NET Framework is a key Microsoft offering, and is intended to be used by most new applications created for the Windows platform. Its truly Object oriented framework like J2EE.

Different terms used with .Net
* C#.Net: A new language which is 70% java, but in whole better and more robust than Java.
* VB.Net: Considering the success of VB (Visual Basic), VB.Net is made a new language for .Net framework. But in no way is similar to old VB.
* ASP.Net: Web technology of .Net
* ADO.Net: Data base access technology.
* Windows Forms: For Desktop applications.
* CLR: Common Language Runtime just like we have JVM in Java
* Ajax: It's a technology using JavaScript, XML and not a language
* VB script: Server side scripting language.
* JavaScript: Client Side scripting language.

One big question is "what is .Net?"
* Its not a language, but it's a platform
* .NET is Microsoft's new Internet and Web strategy
* .NET is a framework for universal services with server centric computing model
* .NET will run in any browser on any platform
* .NET is based on the newest Web standards like HTTP (the communication protocol between Internet Applications), XML(the format for exchanging data between Internet Applications), SOAP (the standard format for requesting Web Services) and UDDI (The standard to search and discover Web Services)
Language it supports: 20 programming languages
C++, C#, J#, Visual Basic, JScript (The Microsoft version of JavaScript) and COBOL. Third-party languages - like Eiffel, Perl, Python, Smalltalk, and others - will also be available for building future .NET Framework applications.

Now .Net Vs Java?
I will only summarize my view on this in this article. In some other post I will discuss more technological difference b/w two. .NET is superior to Java as a platform in many areas, while Java is superior in others. The key difference though is that .NET will close the gap in the future with little need for change, while Java cannot close the gaps without a major redesign into something quite different than it is now.

Advantages that .NET has over Java are:
- .NET is language independent
- Coexist with and even integrate with existing Win32 code.
- Moving to Java from Win32 is a complete paradigm shift. Moving to .NET is a more natural path for Win32 developers.
- Better for building applications that require rich graphical user interfaces and that deliver content to Web browsers.
- Microsoft tools have an edge over Java for, analysts say. Microsoft's tools are generally considered easier to use, while enterprise software vendors such as SAP AG, IBM, BEA and Oracle Corp. lean toward Java. Easy-to-use tools may increase programmer productivity.
- Java Swing environment's ability to build graphical user interfaces has limitations
- May cost less, due in part to built-in application server in Windows, unified management, less expensive tools.

Advantages that Java has over .Net are:
- Java is an established platform with its own merits.
- Runs on any operating system and application server while .Net only on Windows
- Offers a wide range of vendor choices for tools and application servers
- Handles complex, high- volume, high-transaction applications
- May cost more to build, deploy and manage applications
- Lacks built-in support for Web services standards

Job scenario In India:
In India all services companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Satayam, IBM, Accenture, etc along with mid or small sized companies use both the technology. Enterprise applications are mainly developed on Java while as business is moving on Internet, Microsoft .Net is catching up fast. Day by day more and more fortune 500 companies are taking interest in .Net. Mostly Financial, Consultancy or Investment banks use Java for their enterprise applications, so in recent times more high paying jobs are created in Java from companies like Citi bank, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, HDFC, PWC, and Merrill Lynch.
The number of jobs are more in Java but at the same time job applicants are more while still its very hard to find good .Net programmer. So in whole job scenario in both is balanced if we compare nos of applicants per job.

Salaries:
.Net or Java programmers are offered almost equal salaries in India, while it may be different in US. NET salaries are running 10 to 15 percent higher in some scenarios.
A guy with 1 year of experience in .Net or Java can earn 4-6 lakhs in India, while this varies a lot between companies. Many Indian startup companies like Techspan, Yasu, Pramati, Talentica, Persistent pays well on these technologies but they prefer guys from Premier colleges. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, SAP, Verizon, Qwest, Sum Total pay handsomely.
I came to know that, In US .Net developers earn least around $30-50 per hour and while Java is little more at $40-60 per hour. While the actual winner remains SAP or Data warehousing professional who can earn up to $100-120 per hour in early stage of career itself.

Some useful links:
Microsoft .NET vs. J2EE: How Do They Stack Up?
The great debate: .Net vs. J2EE