Business logic layer - what to use?

[Matthew Carpenter]

I would have to say that it's a combination of things:
  Java is cross-platform
  Java is pretty and simple to use for complex tasks
  Java is SIMPLE to DOCUMENT!!! (one of its most powerful features)
  Java is very powerful with a great range of standardized API's (GUI 
included)
  Java is easy to learn, especially for C and C++ hackers
  Java makes Object Oriented Programming simple.
  Java is easy to secure.  Buffer overflows and Pointer Manipulation 
issues are not an issue.
  Java is the bandwagon, with all the buzz of developers coding for Java.
  Java is backed by the big powerhouses like IBM, Sun, and Novell (and 
middle tier folks too).

While there are poor coding practices which tend to give Java a "slow" 
reputation, part of the reputation is simply caused by the thoughts of 
Java as a "browser-toy".  Very few people load the newer Java runtimes 
on Windows, they stick with Microsoft's 5-year old 1.1 JVM, even though 
Java is currently at 1.5 with many speed enhancements and powerful 
tools.  Still, there are certain routines in the Java API's which incur 
considerable time costs which should be designed around.  JVM choice is 
still the largest performance/stability factor for Java.  Check out 
volano.com for more information on that.

If you are looking for a good J2EE platform for $$$$, check out BEA's 
Weblogic
For  EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) and B2B for $$$$, check 
out  WebMethods
There are OSS equivalents as well.  Weblogic is worth the cash IMHO, as 
the tools make coming up to speed in J2EE fairly fast and painless.

Java is the only compiled language I even remember anymore.  As a once 
C-geek I find Java quite amazing, particularly for the self-documenting 
code and simple concepts of doing everything (except JNDI) right out of 
the box. (software package)


James McDonald wrote:

>
>> If you do go the J2EE route, you'd better have really beefy hardware 
>> on the server side.  Java is a pig.  piggy!
>
>
> We have a couple of Unix apps that were ported to windows using java 
> and  RESOURCE intensive is a true statement when it comes to java....
>
> My question is if it's so resource intensive why is it so popular is 
> it just bandwagonism?
>
>
>