Restlet the future of Java and .Net
Created by hasan.kamal under Software Development
Java and .NET are normally considered two separate domains for programmers; Java being for developing primarily web-based applications while .NET for Microsoft applications. An attempt to merge the two often resulted in a large disasters with reverent vows that such an attempt never be made again.
There is good news; recently Microsoft has enlisted the support of Noelios Technologies, a French consulting firm, to merge the two technologies together.
“Noelios Technologies is shipping a new version of the Restlet open-source project, a lightweight REST [Representational State Transfer] framework for Java that includes the Restlet Extension for [Microsoft's] ADO.NET Data Services,” Jean-Christophe Cimetiere, a senior technical evangelist for Microsoft, wrote in a blog post Sept. 28.
To simplify a rather long complex piece of technical writing, the basic point of this technology bridge aptly named Restlet allows Java programmers to use an API to access the features of .NET. The simplicity lies in the fact that the two technologies still maintain their distinct infrastructure; the new bridge allows them to access each other via simple function calls. As a result, Java programmers can code in the usual classes that they are used to while utilizing the functionality of .NET to create new programs.
In addition to this, the impact on software development is significant. Since the decreasing market share as windows Mobile has meant that Blackberry and WinMo cell phone app development will receive a much needed boost. As a result, the functionality of .NET and Java will allow developers to create more user friendly apps. This upgrade will help boost shares of the stagnant Blackberry and WinMo cell phone market.
However, the impact of this technology may come at a point which is too late considering that the growth of the market is primarily focused on the iPhone and Android SDK. Nonetheless, predictions state the next market for growth will most likely be the BlackBerry and WinMo segment. The current trend of phones is focusing on the concept of cross platform integration or the ability to flash software as per the needs of the user.
Restlet provides programmers the ability to program in a more platform independent applications that can be ported to various phones considering the similarity of hardware on many phones. The new technology will help build applications that could be used by iPhone, Android, WinMo users and provide greater collaboration amongst apps for multi-user phones. Coupled with the ability to surf the Internet and the collaborative nature of the multimedia phones, this technology could foster application growth that allows multiple users to connect without having to remain platform sensitive.
The potential of this technology to change how applications are developed is immense. Rather than charging access to the SDK of each platform, hardware resellers such as Apple, HTC, etc will charge for the review and submission of each application akin to what Apple does already to current applications. Not only does this make the application development processes easier but cheaper since Java is free along with .NET being available at reduced rates. The secondary impact of this technology by reducing the entry cost, the number of developers will increase, creating an inflow of apps. Simple demand and supply will determine which apps will remain on the digital storefronts while poorly executed apps will be shunned by users.
What do you think? Will this new technology make an impact on developers or the software development market? Leave your comments or thoughts below.