We’re going to talk about J2EE application development, a Java platform for enterprise computing. J2EE, or Java Version 2, Enterprise Edition is billed as the platform for next-generation web applications that allows developers to be speedy and productive.

In fact, while Java application development has features aplenty, developers struggle with its labyrinthine complexity. In its favour, however, are standardized services such as transactions, database access, messaging and security. Also, J2EE application servers use clustering techniques that allow a large number of users to access services.

Today, regardless of the industry or vertical, there is high pressure on application development teams to meet combative expectations for a high level of access to information and services. Self service ordering, for example, and instant access to the latest sales and financial information are heavily in demand. There is a large list of pending work, and so, there has been a search for speedier, more productive tools. Where development cycles of 9 to 18 months were once the norm, now, 3 months is the new 12 months, and applications are demanded in a matter of weeks. Add to this unrelenting scenario, the continuous pressure on budgets in virtually every sector. Business managers to day expect organizations to create much, much more, for far, far less – which is where Java’s slogan, “Do More, With Less Work”, fits in.

Globally, organizations choose Java as the core technology to power and deploy high end web applications. In addition, they mate Java application development with ColdFusion to reduce time-to-market and add productivity gains to web applications

Because of its reliability, re-usability and flexible applications, and portability Java application development forms the core of enterprise class strategy. The execution, however, is a different matter. One of the key hurdles is the skills shortage. Programming staff may have differing levels of proficiency in VB, ColdFusion, HTML, and Java. By settling on the tools that a particular team may be most proficient in, a project could sacrifice enterprise class power. On the other hand, Java is not suitable for every developer. Research by Gartner indicates the time and costs that it takes for a programmer to develop proficiency in Java and Java application development. According to the organization, learning Java takes 2 months of training and 10 months of hands on J2EE application development, at a cost of US$ 75,000, plus salary. The rule of thumb on Java is that the lower the application complexity, the higher the cost of using Java.

Adam George is a well known writer. He has written many articles on various topics including outsourcing, Presently writing on Software services, Software Outsourcing, Java Application Development and other Software testing services.