Migrating From Java to C#

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced the availability of the first beta version of a new tool that will migrate Java code into C#, Microsofts proprietary Java-like programming language.

Microsoft said its Java Language Conversion Assistant, or JLCA, provides a smooth transition for Java developers to build XML Web services on the .Net platform. Officials with the Redmond, Wash., company said the technology converts most existing Java source code into C#, which integrates seamlessly into the .Net platform.

The JLCA is available for download immediately on MSDN and will be a feature in forthcoming versions of Microsofts Visual Studio .Net development environment, which the company will officially launch Feb. 13 in San Francisco.

Microsoft developed the JLCA with the help of ArtinSoft S.A., of San Jose, Costa Rica. The companies used ArtinSofts migration technology as the basis for the tool, which migrates language syntax and library calls.

In addition, ArtinSoft released JLCA EE, a superset of the JLCA that converts J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) code into C#.

JLCA EE extends Microsoft JLCA by adding support for J2EE language features, Enterprise Java Beans, Swing, XML and remote method invocation (RMI), among other features, the companies said.

Microsoft said the JLCA is the final part of its JUMP (Java User Migration Path) to .Net strategy, which the company announced more than a year ago. JUMP to .Net includes various technologies to help developers put Java solutions on the .Net platform. The first such technology, released last October, was Visual J# .Net.

ArtinSoft CEO Carlos Araya said his company has worked more than two years with Microsoft to create migration technology to ease the transition to .Net for developers. He said the JLCA EE technology, along with ArtinSofts consulting services can help move J2EE applications up to 20 times faster to .Net than it might take coding manually.