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Microsoft Posts New Beta of Java Conversion Tool

Microsoft on Tuesday released a second beta of a tool for converting code written in Microsoft Visual J++ to the newer Microsoft C# language.

The tool, called the Java Language Conversion Assistant or JLCA, is based on technology licensed from ArtinSoft, a Costa Rican company specializing in enterprise software migration and upgrades.

For Microsoft, the JLCA fills a hole in its Microsoft .NET Framework, which supports about 20 languages but not Java. While most .NET language support is handled in the Common Language Runtime, which converts code to the Microsoft Intermediate Language, the JLCA simply converts Visual J++ code into C#, which is Microsoft's current flagship development language.

Microsoft officials contend that the version of Java supported by the JLCA covers the vast majority of Java-based development that has been done.

ArtinSoft will pick up the rest of the market for converting Java code to C# with a JLCA Enterprise Edition it will productize in the second half of 2002. That version will convert a broader set of code, including Java 2 Enterprise Edition features, Java Beans, Enterprise Java Beans, SWING, XML and RMI.

Microsoft released the first beta of JLCA just before launching Visual Studio .NET in February. The company plans to include the tool in future versions of Visual Studio .NET.

The new beta is available for download at msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/jca/default.asp.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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