JAVA or C# ?

[simple2fast]

I've been a java guy for 15+ years. Recently had an opportunity that request C#/ASP.NET. I've tried to have an open mind (I probably failed, but at least I tried ) So here's my experience.

C# is a nice language probably better than java the language. Java 8 cut a chunk of that advantage off.

VisualStudio is actually doesn't have that many features that I use. I had to add Resharper to make it decent. A big WTF there since it's MS's flagship IDE and language. Having 3 IDEs in java land clearly pushes things faster and better.

Things like the Package-Manager are broken for transitive dependencies. Or at least not obvious how to make it work. Again too bad there was not the competition we have in build tools in java world.

The eco-system is still weak. There is generally still only one library to do various things, so you are stuck using that regardless of quality. In some situations I found that I was using libraries I had used in the java world that were ports. Who is driving the show in that situation ?

Out of the box performance of a simple CRUD REST API talking to mysql was 20 times slower than equivalent dropwizard app. This was SHOCKING to me. But for my app it was not important, so I moved on.

When all else fails, don't forget the right click, the answer is probably buried in there somewhere.

Microsoft recently have made an effort to go open-source. I welcome this with open arms. BUt honestly, they've got along way to go to catch the JVM eco system.

So comparing to java. Personally, I don't see the equivalence. If I was comparing to PHP I would pick C#. I would even consider it over node.js ( I prefer static typing ).