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Sharathmg
Active Contributor
Yes. This is the big question which is bothering me and other fellow Web Dynpro Java developers. Wherever I go, there seems to be a negative bias towards Web Dynpro Java. Why? Let us analyze.
Web Dynpro Java had been the recommended UI from SAP for portal web application till 2010. There was a lot of buzz and activity surrounding NetWeaver Java and Web Dynpro Java during that period. Many changes, new enhancements and buzzing Web Dynpro forums were making the right noises about the technology. The scenario seemed to have changed with the acquisition of Java by Oracle.
Slowly but surely, Web Dynpro ABAP was being offered as an alternative option for portal web developments. Many enhancements to the UI with support to multiple features seemed to make the news. Even in a Google search, googling Web Dynpro resulted in the results about Web Dynpro ABAP and not Web Dynpro Java. The signals seemed ominous. Then, the announcement that Web Dynpro Java will have no further enhance till 2018. The blogging and forum world were busy writing the obituaries of Web Dynpro Java like the now famous thorstenster/blog/2010/10/25/kiss-of-death-for-web-dynpro-java-the-follow-up-questions.
In the developer community there was fear of the technology being made obsolete by SAP. Personally, Web Dynpro Java developers (like me) who entered the domain without the experience of working on JAVA projects were at cross roads. Do we prefer the vast domain of Java, JavaScript, JEE5 etc.  OR get back to SAP GUI and ABAP Web Dynpro? There was lack of experience in both domains and departments from both domains seemed reluctant to consider us for their projects.
Over the last 1 year, my efforts have been focused on convincing the following people that Web Dynpro Java is still alive and will survive the storm of negativity:
-          Customers – The most feared lot to invest in Web Dynpro Java
-          Internal departments – especially with separate departments for Web Dynpro Java and Web Dynpro ABAP
-          Myself…. Yes ME!
As always there is light at the end of tunnel. Then came SOA, Composite applications and cloud computing. In my opinion these new developments (old but have come to limelight lately) have brought new life to Web Dynpro Java. There are still many enterprise scenarios like BPM where a solution based on Web Dynpro Java is recommended.
Next Steps:
The technology is changing at the speed of light. As always the only thing permanent is CHANGE. So, if we i.e. Web Dynpro Java developers need to change which are the preferred paths?
1.      HTML5: The latest version of the popular HTML seems to have fulfilled the many pending technical requirements which were handled earlier by plugins using the simple tags. The knowledge and experience in this domain will be handy in developing lightweight UIs
2.      jQuery: The famous java script based language is used across web and mobile platforms. It would be desirable to first understand the concept of scripting and then get into world of jQuery.
3.      BPM (Business Process Management) and BRM (Business Rules Management): The process design tools offered by NetWeaver are very powerful. They allow the developers to design custom process and incorporate the business rules in a short period of time.
4.      SUP (Sybase Unwired Platform) – MBO (Mobile Business Objects): This is one of the most exciting developments mainly because it is centered around the mobile devices. The editor and coding seems very similar to Web Dynpro and the language is Java.
Entry into any new stream requires effort, disciple, interest and opportunity. Identify your interests and put in the necessary effort with disciple. Opportunities, well they will come your way sooner or later.
Happy Coding.   
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