Which Server-Side Language Is Right For You?

Java

Java is arguably the most powerful platform for server-side Web development today. From small Java programs (Servlets) that handle Web page requests to JavaServer Pages (JSPs) that combine HTML with custom tags and Java code, and even up to Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs), software components with sophisticated abilities to carry information seamlessly across servers and networks to accomodate distributed applications, Java is truly a hot technology.

An experienced Java Web developer can easily pull in salaries in excess of US$100,000/yr. As you might expect, there's a reason for that: Java is not easy to learn! Unlike scripting languages like Perl, ASP and PHP, Java is a full-fledged programming language fully capable of writing big programs! Someone with a little programming experience could expect to pick up a working knowledge of the Java language in a month or two with the help of a good book, and in another month would likely be able to pick up the basics of simple server-side programming with Java. Now, if you're interested in making a career in server-side programming then that may not seem like much, but if you just want to get something working quickly, a simpler language like PHP can have you up and running in a week or less!

Java is renouned for its Write One, Run Anywhere (WORA) philosophy, and indeed Java can be run on all major Web servers and all major operating systems. Java Web applications can also be bundled up into a standard Web Application Archive (.WAR) files that can then be installed on any Java-enabled Web server, no matter the platform. The makers of Java planned for this mechanism to be used to distribute commercial Web applications for use on Java Web servers; however, in my experience, Java Web applications tend to be customized solutions to complex problems, rather than sellable solutions that you can buy online.

Many different vendors produce the plug-ins that enable Web servers like Apache and IIS to run Java Web applications, and while most of them are free for personal use and development, the majority must be paid for before you can use them to serve a commercial Website.

Advantages:

• Extremely powerful and scalable.
• Cross-platform.
• Most Java server plugins are free for personal and development purposes.

Drawbacks:

• Java takes a lot of work to learn. Don't even start if you're not serious about learning object oriented programming.
• Most Java server plugins must be paid for if they are to be used to host a commercial Web site.

Target Developer:

Serious developers who want the ultimate in power, flexibility and scalability for their Web applications, and don't mind paying for it in sweat, tears and development time.