Quote:
Originally Posted by cnixuser
Are there things that java can do, aside from being more cross platform that ASP.NET can not, or at least can not do well? Also, I have heard that uses of Apache MySQL PHP (AMP) are a big competitor for java, is this true?
There a alternatives with various advantages and disadvantages. Given a specification for a new application (e.g. in a student project) one of the first tasks is to review technologies for its implementation evaluating advantages/disadvantages in terms of functionality, availability, portability, easy of use, cost, existing knowledge, etc. For example, for a web based database system one could look at Access, MySql, Oracle, etc for the database and Java, PHP, C++, Javascript, Python, etc, for the frontend. One then selects the most appropriate tools at each level taking into account practical constraints such as one may have a particular technology readily available. Such a review would form a part of the project report together with analysis and design, implementation, testing, critical evaluation, etc.
I make students who are good at programming implement several prototypes using different technologies and evaluate them.