The requirement that programming languages work together, and do so efficiently, is truer today than ever. A major difference today is that the host has changed from a single platform to a multi-tier environment. They are, in many respects, different sides of the same coin. Once the millennium problem is solved the next major issue will be the Internet. The driving force is profit.
Business seeks to decrease costs while increasing performance.
Business will approach the Internet in a variety of ways. Others will prepare by moving to Web-enabled turnkey solutions, at great cost and greater risk. Add functionality to the investment using a GUI builder. Provide a bridge to increased Web-functionality and fit by adding Java capabilities. Software applications are more and more being regarded as corporate assets, critical to business success.