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Microsoft builds path away from Java

By Alun Williams

Posted on 16 Jul 2003 at 17:59

Microsoft has updated its Java Language Conversion Assistant (JLCA), which provides the automated conversion of Java source code to C#. The battle for developer hearts and minds over Web programming continues...

Whereas Java is now a well-established platform-neutral language - created by Sun - that is designed to simplify programming for networks, C# is a relative newcomer designed to simplify the programming of .Net, which is the Microsoft foundation for Web services. JLCA is part of Microsoft's strategy to eat into existing Java code bases.

JLCA 2.0 now enables developers to convert their JavaServer Pages (JSP) and servlet applications to ASP.NET, in addition to converting Java to C#. More info on this release can be found at msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/tools/jlca/

The tool first appeared back in February 2002 - From Java to C#, the Microsoft way - as part of Microsoft's JUMP programme (think 'Java User Migration Path') to promote migration from Java to .NET.

As well as a beta 1 release of the Java Language Conversion Assistant (JLCA), the set of tools and services, gathered under the JUMP umbrella, included Visual Studio-based development tools for supporting elements of Java syntax, tools to support interoperability with existing J++ apps, and paid consulting services.

Microsoft has also released a technology preview for the next version of Microsoft Web Services Enhancements (WSE), which helps Visual Studio .NET developers build Web services.

WSE version 2.0 is available as a download on MSDN website. As well as new security features for services spanning trust domains, it now supports multiple transports, including TCP and HTTP, and synchronous and asynchronous communications.
It also supports elements of WS-Security, WS-Policy, WS-SecurityPolicy, WS-Trust, WS-SecureConversation and WS-Addressing - the Web services specifications published by Microsoft and other industry partners, such as IBM.