We all know that the .NET platform offers a great set of tools for building robust Web applications. There are times, however, when as .NET developers we need to understand how we can integrate the great features of .NET with other platforms and technologies. We often find our clients using both .NET and J2EE technologies successfully in their architectures.
I faced a situation such as this recently and I would like to share some of my experiences with you in this two-part article. Part 1 will discuss interoperability between ASP.NET and BEA WebLogic 8.1, and how to use XML Schemas to transfer data between the platforms. Part 2 will discuss how to properly process SOAP Exceptions, the uploading and viewing of binary data, and how we handled page navigation and application workflow. The source code for this article can be found at http://sys-con.com/weblogic/sourcec.cfm.
On a recent project, the client decided that they wanted to use J2EE technology (specifically BEA WebLogic 8.1) to support their core legacy applications. The new Web application would let vendors enter information that would be validated and transferred directly into the core application database. WebLogic would provide the business functionality via Web Services. The client had several applications developed in C# using Visual Studio.NET and wanted to take advantage of the productive features in ASP.NET to develop the presentation layer of the application.
There are various technologies we could use so .NET could communicate with J2EE. The most popular one is XML Web Services. The main benefits of Web Services are the industry support, tool support, and ease of development.
