How To Convert ASP.NET Applications to Java / J2EE: Introducing Grasshopper

Now you can easily convert your .NET applications to Java / J2EE and run it on Linux or other Java enabled platforms directly from your Visual Studio .NET IDE.

You can use your Visual Studio .NET IDE to build server applications that can run natively on J2EE and hence on Linux and other Java enabled platforms, with the help of Visual MainWin for J2EE from Mainsoft.

The Grasshopper 2.0 enables you to create Tomcat Web applications leveraging Grasshopper pure Java ASP.NET membership, roles and profile providers, and all the ASP.NET 2.0 new features such as master pages, login controls, wizard control, and data-bound control such as GridView. You can now also use the Visual Studio 2005 debugger to attach to your Tomcat Web application to control its execution!
Note: Grasshopper is the free “Developer” edition of Visual MainWin for Java EE. J2EE Enterprise and J2EE Portal editions are also available.

It works by compiling MSIL (the binary output from the C# or VB.NET compilers) into standard Java bytecode. The resulting pure Java deployment packages can be used in any Java EE application server such as Tomcat or JBoss. The Grasshopper plug-in automates the whole process and is fully integrated into Visual Studio.

Due to differences between .NET and Java, there are a few limitations on what .NET code can be supported. For example, you can’t use unsafe code or call native Win32 APIs.

You can download it here. What are you waiting for?

I haven’t personally tested the application but if the hype is anywhere near reality it is definitely a very strong product for enterprise software developers and will effectively bridge the gap between J2EE and .NET technologies. This can effectively leverage the ease of development of .NET platform with the strong enterprise capabilities of J2EE platform, a win-win situation for enterprise developers.

I have come understand that the basic edition will remain free but you never know. So get it today, give it a whirl and let me know what you think.