Can .net developer work in Java or .net technology

Jean has some really interesting points, but I believe that this depends on the working environment and it should not be a generalized statement. Yes with years we all grow, for example if we take a look at the things that came in .NET regarding the web development, like MVC, WebAPI, SPA, etc. you will notice that although the technology is upon the .NET framework the concepts are well known and are applicable in almost any popular framework. So by learning them you get a good grasp of what they represent and thus it becomes an easy process to learn them in another platform.

Also knowing only .NET will limit your perspective quite a lot, this results in some major flaws but I will just point out one particular. As Jean mentioned mostly our primary goal is to obtain an architect title, but without any "outer .NET" experience you will have a very narrow and limited design/architect skills which are never going to be able to handle an enterprise solution. In other words you will never be able to become an even decent architect without acknowledging that there are a better approaches for some particular cases then the .NET. From my experience I cannot name a single enterprise solution in which the .NET was an answer to all functional and nun functional requirements.

But then again as a developer the design skill limitation is not much of a problem, but if this is your life career then I would assume that you want to evolve as much as you can, right?Also switching back and forth between two (I would even say between three) languages will certainly be something that you can handle, but you need to stay in touch with each language. Ignoring one for a relatively long time will backfire rather quickly. Well to me the trick is to every now and then try solving some coding challenges that will not take much time from you. Also you shouldn't look at it as a wasted time, but rather as a time invested in polishing your skills.
Anyway these are some of the coding tests that you can find all over the internet:

• programming tests for a C# language
• programming tests for a Java language
• programming tests for a C++ language

Hello Arjun,

I agree that in .Net track the CSS stuffs come in, but still we are in .Net track! Additionally, this is the case of small companies where developer will be all-rounders, but the extra css skills might not be valued in mncs.

The value path of a .Net guy would be having components given below:
.Net fundamentals > desktop > web app > ef > reflection > layering > design patterns > mvc > tdd > tfs > large project implementation >  tech lead > architect 
If you are not in the path, that is wastage of time. (but you will get salary for the work) :)

Regarding moving to java, risk of termination, i would say if it is a once-in-a-while java job, there is nothing problem, you can retain your .Net skills.  But definitely your .Net efficiency will reduce if you spend long time in Java.  

If you think this company is not protecting your career & talents, you can think of switching to better places.  I am sure if you work 10 year in this company your experience will be valued around 3 years & that will be 7 year old.  So you can tactically accept the java job, work in back ground for new job, retain .Net!

After all, I will do this if the Java Job is long term & since I love .Net very much!

Thank You Dear Anil for the good words 

I support Ravi in the sense "we should learn everything", but not at cost of career!

Great and detailed advice by Jean... 

Objection Your Honor! I would not prefer taking Java while working on .Net :) Again, this is my career view, I am providing the reasons for my views.

Career View
As the number of years grow we get higher value in industry, it is through the knowledge & experience gained in a particular technology. 

So if we switch between .Net & Java the experience growth in particular track is lost.  Later it is difficult to get back the mind to .Net

Monetary Value
Java is a different animal.. FYI I have worked in .Net, Java, PHP, VC++, HTML, JS, Disassembly in the same year & what i found that the person who just know .Net or Java have gained higher value than me.

There is literally no positions for all rounders (Java+.Net+PHP) in industry.. So multi-tracking is waste of energy!

Retention Value
Working dedicated in Java for 6 months can REALLY hamper your .Net skills.  If you are completely away from .Net then you find difficulty in creating a .Net project, F5 key to run, using collections, debugging etc.. Even if you face an interview the chance of passing will be reduced..

In the memory aspects learning to drive Car & learning to use Computers are stored in different memory area.. so they won't hamper each other.. But .Net & Java are programming & it impacts the thought process & speed of implementation.. simply corroding skills earned.. It can be compared to riding a Yamaha Z motor cycle & Bajaj Pulsar, you will get confused with gear systems, break positions!

Company View
Your company have to ask/tempt you for switching as hiring another Java resource is time consuming, cost consuming & simultaneously keeping a .Net resource idle.  From their point it is cost-saving :)

So they might gain >> What you are losing :)

It should be a small company.  Am i right?

Your View
After all, you can decide your own.. if you wanted a change & would like to switch to Java it is Okay.  But the career, monetary value appreciation won't be there & it might be difficult to get back the mind to .Net.

Remember one thing, When we were freshers, nobody to give a job >> But after 5 year experience there are 10 companies to provide the job >> The CAREER is giving the value, so do not destroy it.

Yeah you bit away from .net. but after 3-5 year you can easily write code in both languages.

Hi Arjun,

Every technology is best in own. if you get opprtunity to learn java. Don't defuse. In my point of view you should learn .