Does the App Server market still exist?

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Non-J2EE solutions (ColdFusion, PHP)

The solutions which are not based on the J2EE platform are becoming fewer and further between. As they have much to offer, we shall take the time here to look at two of the main alternatives: ColdFusion (Allaire-Macromedia) and PHP (OSS Solution, supported by Zend).

Allaire-Macromedia, the vendor of ColdFusion (an application server based on a scripting language), is also following the trend with JRun. Allaire-Macromedia has planned to homogenize its product line, with the eventual aim of enabling ColdFusion to integrate the Java strategy. ColdFusion would become an abstraction layer, allowing interaction with JRun (Servlet and EJB) and thereby providing an alternative to coding the HTML interface in JSP.

For the time being, ColdFusion offers considerable advantages in terms of simplicity and productivity.

PHP is a language designed for the creation of Web applications. Simple and powerful, PHP is an OSS project, which is actively supported by Zend Technologies, a vendor which offers support and complementary products such as Zend Cache (performance optimization), Zend Encoder (encrypt PHP Code), Zend IDE, and so on. The challenge that lies ahead of the PHP writers — and now also the founders of Zend — is for them to find a solid niche in the market.

Customers tend to choose PHP under the following circumstances:

• They can't or won't invest in the skills necessary to carry through Java projects.
• They do not want to be held hostage to Microsoft's proprietary technology.
• The fact that PHP is Open Source means that initial acquisition costs are nonexistent!

The Microsoft solution

We have chosen to consider the Microsoft solution separately. The main reason for this is that opting for the "Application Server" technologies offered by Microsoft automatically means opting for the ENTIRE Microsoft platform.

With ASP/COM, and now .NET with ASP+ and C#, Microsoft is innovating, and is not fearful of technological breaks within its own product line. Java is now clearly outside of Microsoft's line of vision, leaving out in the cold all those who were unlucky enough to invest in Microsoft Visual J++.

The .NET strategy (see our analysis, Introducing Microsoft DotNet) introduces various new concepts. Looking closer at Microsoft's approach, we might label it ultra-proprietary. Indeed, all the interesting innovations are inextricably linked with one another and anchored to the Windows platform (Active Directory Services, for instance). Paradoxically, Microsoft is opting for the "honest" approach, playing on openness and interoperability by actively participating in the development of the SOAP standard.

This openness encourages us to hope for a good degree of interoperability between the Java and Microsoft worlds, particularly in terms of B2B exchanges based on the concept of Web Services.

As .NET is not due till the end of the year, we shall have wait and see what direction Microsoft will eventually take. TechMetrix will be publishing a full feature on Microsoft .NET and the main associated products.

Conclusion

In answer to the question in the title of this article, "Does the Application Server market still exist?", we can reply that yes, it does — but the choice has been whittled down considerably.

When choosing an application server, you can narrow down the options available to you by answering the following questions. You should then obtain a brief shortlist:

• Are you prepared to invest in J2EE technology?
• Are you prepared to invest in Microsoft technology?

If you are unable to answer these questions, or get stuck during the next stage, do not hesitate to contact us.

To sum things up, the results of our poll taken in February 2001 (286 votes) provide a telling overview of the situation.

	Readers who have shared their thoughts on this article
	04/12/01 - Marc Zampetti (zampetti@yahoo.com) - Sybase:
	Just an update on Sybase's EAServer. This is a full-fledged, J2EE certified app server. It also supposrts CORBA, C++, ActiveX, and PowerBuilder NVO component models, something no one else does. Also, your description assumes that EAServer is tied to Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise databases, like Oracle iAS. This couldn't be further from the truth. EAServer will work with any database that supports ODBC or JDBC, as well as native driver support for Sybase and Oracle databases. IBM has some issues with other db's, and Oracle doesn't really let you use other db's.
	04/11/01 - Mervyn Cooke (mervyn_cooke@hotmail.com) - JB International (London):
	I would agree that the J2EE app server market is maturing - it's like a horse race with the leaders edging ahead - BEA and IBM being the main ones I come in contact with. Our client base are increasingly investing in J2EE training as witnessed by advance bookings for scheduled courses months in advance, compared to say 12 months ago when we ran customised J2EE courses on-site. Watch out for the Open Source providers - a client recently went with JBoss gaining the lead over Oracle and BEA. So which horse to bet on is anyone's guess.
	04/12/01 - msameer@hotmail.com:
	The pie at the end of the article doesn't do justice to Microsoft. WinDNA is a clear good alternative (ASP-COM-MTS-ADO etc) and competitor to J2EE. Its market share should be accounted for in the pie.
	TrendMarkers:
	Windows DNA was a clear alternative. But as Microsoft is touting .NET, our idea was to get a feeling on how people would consider investing in this new model.
	04/11/01 - Neil Martin (neilm@thetestplace.co.uk) - The Test Place Ltd:
	I would disagree with the comment that Microsoft has to be an all or nothing choice; WebLogic on Win12K Server makes real sense, as do other mixtures. In fact I would go so far as to encourage building systems as a best of breed approach. Having said this, I am a freelance trainer and demand for J2EE skills is the major force in training at the moment.
	TrendMarkers:
	Yes, J2EE app servers work well on Windows. But we're looking at this market from the app server perspective, not from the operating system perspective. Once you've made a decision on a J2EE solution or PHP, then you can decide on the most appropriate operating system; if you select Microsoft Application Server components, no more questions - you've chosen almost everything for the underlying infrastructure.
	04/12/01 - Jim Trikakis (jtrikakis@yahoo.com):
	I am very disappointed that you did not include WebObjects as part of this article. WebObjects runs on various platforms and does support JAVA, althought not J2EE (and why??) directly. What you fail to tell your readers is how the WebObjects solution makes development faster and easier than all the J2EE and non J2EEE vendor solutions. No grunge work to do in WO, just pure and simple business logic development... the way it is suppose to be. Thanks.
	TrendMarkers:
	Correct - we didn't mention Apple. Apple is not among the top Hardware/Server manufacturers. We would classify Apple among "Independent vendors (ISVs)", like the many we haven't mentioned (see our App Server Directory). Apple, who inherited this technology (WebObject/EOF) when they bought out NeXT at the end of 1996, did not wish to promote it as it was geared towards enterprise systems, something which Apple is not targeting for the moment. The development of new versions has continued, but marketing has been halted almost completely and more recent offerings such as WebLogic and WebSphere have taken center stage. Today, our view is that the only chance that EOF/WebObjects has of survival would be for a spin-off to be created, or for it to be taken over by an interested vendor. Back to Page I Printer Friendly Version TechMetrix Research is a technically focused analyst firm focused on e-business application development needs. Based in Boston, Mass., the firm publishes comparison reports and product reviews designed to aid enterprises with decision making and to keep pace with the fast-moving e-business market. TechMetrix is a U.S.-based subsidiary of SQLI, a European company that offers on-site development services to international organizations. SQLI specializes in e-business project development.