I'm not talking about .Net vs. Java in 2004, I'm talking about where is .Net with its exposure in class rooms, level of coverage in industry articles,
books, tools, and usage. I can remember when I really started my path to become a real developer (still working on it), Java 1.1 was the thing. At
work I used VBA (hence the quest to become a real programmer ;)), I think the year was 1998 or so. My thoughts at that time was to become a certified Java
developer, but due to not being able to use it at work at the time (Zurich Insurance), I changed my direction and really got into the web stuff instead of
Java.
Now something like 6 years later, I am (and have been for almost 3 years now) focused on C# (actually just started C++ during .Net beta 2 then decided to
go to C# -- still want to get back to C++ one of these days). During beta 2 I thought it was crazy the amount of publishers who already had books out on .Net,
(of course it didn't keep me from buying a few). I have noticed with classes at the Harvard Extension things have changed a bit over the last 2 1/2 years as
well as the depth of quality books out in the book stores. I was trying to think of (compared to the launch of Java) where .Net is today. I am thinking .Net
is somewhere around 2000. For Java I think that was around 1.2 which to me seems like the time the really good books (advanced subjects like Network programming
and such) where coming out.....what do you think?
BTW: I realize it really isn't fair for me to compare .Net to Java by forcing .Net back to the launch of Java, but what the heck it is a fun exercise.