Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...  | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
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Hey gang!
We have about 350 working database, perhaps more. The IS Unit Dir. has, thus far, converted a number of extremely important databases to Java, he's very intelligent. I was also thinking of converting some systems using Microsoft software, J#, C#, something in that kind of a line, to save time.
I have two options to aid in this venture:
(1) Wait to re-start my career at the university and learn Java, help the group
(2) Learn J#, C# now, keep the work totally in-house
Should perhaps mention some of the work is done by outside vendors. Most of our products were built using Microsoft software.
Problems:
Conversion to Java for most systems is time-consuming and very expensive, cash flow is scarce
Conversion to more eloquent Microsoft Products is re-doing work to some extent, time-consuming. We have licenses to some of their products.
Conversion to Microsoft Products totally may mean upgrading in the future
Questions:
(a) What are the benefits of using Java instead?
(b) What are the nuances that exist to upgrading Sun products?
(c) How difficult is it to learn Java?
I know it's a monster, but can one trully pull it off within 3 months
(d) What do you know about J#, C#?
(e) What are the nuances that exist to upgrading Microsoft products?
(f) How difficult is it to learn J#, C#?
I am re-starting at the university in August. I think I need to quickly learn on my own for now, just in case. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Hopefully you have a great week-end :-)
|  | Administrator | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 11,114
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Hi Dököll
Sorry but I have to move this thread out of the cafe because the question is too technical. I'm moving it over to the Software Development forum. You'll probably get a better response there anyway.
Mary
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmccarthy Hi Dököll
Sorry but I have to move this thread out of the cafe because the question is too technical. I'm moving it over to the Software Development forum. You'll probably get a better response there anyway.
Mary Well that makes sense...Fantastic! thanks.
| | Administrator | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 11,114
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dököll Well that makes sense...Fantastic! thanks. No problem.
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 3,957
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
I think that depends on a few different factors. Do you know any OO languages now? A transition from C++ to Java is difficult by 1) learning to implement the API and 2) the verbosity. However, once those start coming in, the transition should be easier.
Also, your boss is converting the actual databases to Java? That's interesting, I haven't heard anything about doing that (for performance, reliability, etc...).
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sicarie I think that depends on a few different factors. Do you know any OO languages now? A transition from C++ to Java is difficult by 1) learning to implement the API and 2) the verbosity. However, once those start coming in, the transition should be easier.
Also, your boss is converting the actual databases to Java? That's interesting, I haven't heard anything about doing that (for performance, reliability, etc...). Thanks for your reply sicarie!
They're VB Apps with SQL Server Back-ends, the transitions was effortless. Nonetheless, this means 1/3 of the project finished. It's probable will need more capital to go for the long haul. Thought it right to use some of the Microsoft products already at hand or purchase new license. Which will ne the least expensive way of tackling the task, I must sure before I raise my hands happily :-)
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sicarie I think that depends on a few different factors. Do you know any OO languages now? A transition from C++ to Java is difficult by 1) learning to implement the API and 2) the verbosity. However, once those start coming in, the transition should be easier.
Also, your boss is converting the actual databases to Java? That's interesting, I haven't heard anything about doing that (for performance, reliability, etc...). And oh, in response to other languages, Yes, I have taken C++, also a monster. I get the feeling, I'm asking for it though with Java :-)
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 3,957
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dököll And oh, in response to other languages, Yes, I have taken C++, also a monster. I get the feeling, I'm asking for it though with Java :-) Haha, Java is actually better than C++, just more verbose. If you already have the SQL server backend, I'd recommend looking at just transitioning VB to Java.
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sicarie Haha, Java is actually better than C++, just more verbose. If you already have the SQL server backend, I'd recommend looking at just transitioning VB to Java. My old VB professor and friend once said "with VB, a light will simply come on, and you will just get it, and coding it will never be the same". Do you consider this to be true with Java?
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 3,957
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dököll My old VB professor and friend once said "with VB, a light will simply come on, and you will just get it, and coding it will never be the same". Do you consider this to be true with Java? I develop in Java right now, and I still have no idea what I'm doing half the time. No, I'm just kidding, it's not that bad. Like I said, if you can figure out how to navigate and use the Javadocs, you will be able to do a great amount with Java. If you have the C++ background, I am betting that you will pick up Java pretty easily. You will find it annoying at first, because there are the little things you could manipulate in C++, but can't in Java, but once you get the hang of it, I'm betting you'll find it pretty easy.
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sicarie I develop in Java right now, and I still have no idea what I'm doing half the time. No, I'm just kidding, it's not that bad. Like I said, if you can figure out how to navigate and use the Javadocs, you will be able to do a great amount with Java. If you have the C++ background, I am betting that you will pick up Java pretty easily. You will find it annoying at first, because there are the little things you could manipulate in C++, but can't in Java, but once you get the hang of it, I'm betting you'll find it pretty easy. With the vastly emerging changes in the software industry, heard of any glitches with Web apps created with older Java versions! I worry if we go full-blown, Sun as well may succomb to quicker changes to stay afloat.
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dököll With the vastly emerging changes in the software industry, heard of any glitches with Web apps created with older Java versions! I worry if we go full-blown, Sun as well may succomb to quicker changes to stay afloat. We're going web-based my friends. Tis what the boss wants. Java to replace the other 80/85% of our applications, the rest, smaller apps, will run on Microsoft products. I am going to start here. There is a Java lesson in the mix. Thanks for your input sicarie!
|  | Expert | | Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,829
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
J# is Microsoft's .NET version of Java.
Java is heavily used throughout the industry. It is now open source so does not depend on Sun alone anymore.
Advantage of Java is that it can run anywhere while Microsoft stuff only runs on MS systems.
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate NY - US
Posts: 2,270
| | | re: Dilemma at work: Your thoughts...
Quote:
Originally Posted by drhowarddrfine J# is Microsoft's .NET version of Java.
Java is heavily used throughout the industry. It is now open source so does not depend on Sun alone anymore.
Advantage of Java is that it can run anywhere while Microsoft stuff only runs on MS systems. Thank you for this piece of information...Wish me luck:-)
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