Microsoft calls XML-based Internet programming a 'mini revolution'

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is changing the way Microsoft creates its own software. So, like it or lump it, XML will also change the way developers create their applications. Microsoft calls this mini revolution 'programming the web'.

With this changing programming model come casualties, however. The first is Java, or in Microsoft's case, the Visual J++ development tool that sits within the Visual Studio development environment. Last week Microsoft revealed its Visual J++ 6.0 will be the last iteration of the development tool.

Senior Microsoft developer product managers told Computing that when Visual Studio 7.0 arrives next year, there's a "great probability that Visual J will not be there". Microsoft has not totally pulled the plug on Java in its development suite, though.

Political motives
The Redmond giant has signed a deal with Rational Software, which will support developers using Microsoft's Java. The reasons for the Rational deal and naked support of XML are political as much as technical.

"XML's media-friendly attributes of 'openness' and 'cool' will do Microsoft's public relations no harm at all," says Gary Barnett, Ovum senior analyst.

Good public relations is not something Microsoft could have been accused of over Java. Richard Hamblen, developer tools product manager at Microsoft UK, says of the deal: "This will be viewed as great news for developers because of the strength of the company's Java technology offering, which is not hampered legally or technically like Microsoft's own Java offering."

What Hamblen refers to is the fact that Microsoft is very Windows-focused with Visual J, which means it doesn't fully endorse the write-once/run-anywhere basis of Java as defined by Sun Microsystems. In Microsoft's new view of web-based development, Java no longer sits comfortably, and XML becomes the technology that provides platform independence.

Visual Studio 7.0, due in the fourth quarter of 2000, is heavily XML-biased and is designed to give developers greater control over Web pages.

Microsoft's new web world
Microsoft has, effectively, made XML its de facto method for objects to communicate in the new Microsoft world of programming the Web.

XML becomes the way common object model (Com) objects running in Windows applications can interact with non-Windows object models, like Corba in the Unix world. XML will perform the data splicing. In addition, Microsoft will turn to XML and hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to act as the message passing procedure between objects, instead of relying on Distributed Com remote procedure calls, or DCom RPC.

This doesn't mean that DCom RPC is dead, though it's easy to see XML and HTTP replace this in the programmers' world where Com and Corba are interacting.

Barnett says Microsoft has at last adopted a pragmatic approach to Web-based programming.

"Microsoft's strategy has shifted from 'Com everywhere' to more along the lines of 'Com where its best and integrate where it isn't'," he says.

"The web is moving to a new level where programmers need to be able to link Com-based applications with other systems. XML makes the Com/Corba argument irrelevant," believes David Mendlen, US-based product planner of Visual Basic and Visual Studio.

Mike Cowles, director of Link Systems specialising in Visual Basic, Visual C++, Java and Windows CE, says Microsoft's decision to use XML as an object-linking architecture means it now embraces the non-Windows world, though it must ensure it remains committed to this new openness.

"Microsoft's plan to make linking Com objects with Corba objects a natural part of programming with Visual Studio 7.0, is a good thing - as long as Microsoft sticks to allowing developers to write clean 'code' that works openly in any browser."

Family ties
With XML becoming so critical to Microsoft, where in the product family can you expect it to show up?

For starters, XML support will be embedded into Windows 2000, Internet Explorer and Windows CE. Microsoft applications, such as Office and SQL Server, will also become more XML-savvy.

Mendlen accepts the argument that, so far, Microsoft's support of XML across products is fairly weak. He says, however, that with Visual Studio 7.0, it takes the lead in the Web development arena.

Cowles is sceptical, however. He warns users to be wary of shifting strategies and slick marketing in the coming year.

"Visual Studio 7.0 is some time away and a lot can happen between now and then. What may be Microsoft's view of programming the Web now, may not be a reality by then," he says.