Is Flash the next Java; Is Java fading?

Is there a migration going on from Java to Flash?

[TomJones]

Seems like Flash is ever expanding and java is fighting for its life. I read one thread about the threats to Java posed by Microsoft and, the conclusion was that Java will survive (more or less). Is Java installed on all browsers; I seem to recall part of the settlement obligated MS to include Java in IE.

That being said, I am trying to figure out which technology to learn first. Is Flash as diverse as Java? I'm already into Flash but, no expert by any means. Do I need to jump into Java?

[ppg]

I would say no unless you want to use it server side. Or unless you want to learn to program java, which has merits of its own of course (i.e. its fun)

I think Flash has already far outstripped java on the client side. If you're just looking for good looking interactive web pages then Flash is it imho.

[korkus2000]

I would learn Flash. Java is a language as complex as C++. Flash will never be as powerful as Java. Java is a full blown application language. Flash is for graphic web content. Flash does have actionscript to enhance its capabilities, but it is nothing like Java.

[TomJones]

That's what I wanted to hear. I am struggling with learning PHP/MySQL so, having to learn Java would push me over the edge.

My (future) sites are all marketing and ecommerce. My biggest need is to effectively process applications and storing customer information (server side). No lofty programmer aspirations in me. Thanks, again!

[bcc1234]

Java applets are pretty good if deployed in a controlled enviroment, such as intranets. It really makes maintenance easier if you need a complex user interface for many client machines.

On the server side, java is superior to most of other technologies out there.

[ppg]

My biggest need is to effectively process applications and storing customer information (server side)

Flash won't do that for you though, you'll either need to program or use some ready made software to do it. If you're not really into learning to program then I'd recommend having a look at some of the threads in the ecommerce board about about out of the box software for setting up ecommerce sites.

java is superior to most of other technologies out there

hehe, I can just hear all the .NET programmers starting to froth at the mouth ;-)

[bcc1234]

hehe, I can just hear all the .NET programmers starting to froth at the mouth ;-)

That's why I said most and not all.
I posted my opinion on java vs .net a while back, don't feel like retyping it now.