Scott Hanselman

Java is the SUV of Programming Languages or Phillip Greenspun is a stud

September 22, 2003 Comment on this post [2] Posted in ASP.NET | Tools
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This speaks to me, not only as a reformed Java person, but also as the owner of a Toyota Prius and a Honda Civic Hybrid...

"Our students this semester in 6.171, Software Engineering for Internet Applications have divided themselves into roughly three groups.  One third has chosen to use Microsoft .NET, building pages in C#/ASP.NET connecting to SQL Server.  One third has chosen to use scripting languages such as PHP connecting to PostgreSQL and sometimes Oracle.  The final third, which seems to be struggling the most, is using Java Server Pages (JSP) with Oracle on Linux.  JSP is fantastically simpler than "J2EE", which is the recommended-by-Sun way of building applications, but still it seems to be too complex for seniors and graduate students in the MIT computer science program, despite the fact that they all had at least one semester of Java experience in 6.170.

<snip/>But the programmers and managers using Java will feel good about themselves because they are using a tool that, in theory, has a lot of power for handling problems of tremendous complexity.  Just like the suburbanite who drives his SUV to the 7-11 on a paved road but feels good because in theory he could climb a 45-degree dirt slope." [Phillip Greenspun's Blog]

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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September 23, 2003 6:55
I just find it amusingly interesting that whenever someone says that anything other than a MS OS or Programming language is the least bit bad... a whole HORDE of people will just appear and start stating otherwise in a superb display of great and not so great debate skills!
May 14, 2004 23:31
Most likely, they are struggling with Oracles app-server and having a hellish time getting it to stay running... The important thing about JSPs is that you can change your vendor when the software doesn't work, and find a vendor that can solve your problems. This is simply not true with .NET. If it doesn't work, you have to live with it, and find another path of solution.

Single Vendor == Single source == Problems you can't fix by your choice...

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.