A very general question on .NET for beginner

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From: Alex (Alex_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/23/05 

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 13:49:11 -0800

Hello

I am interested learn more about .NET but am uncertain of exactly what niche
it fills in the world of programming. (The more I read the more I am
confused).

What I am looking for is the ability ot write programs to work on mobile
phones, as well as web pages, and to interact with servers.

My background is a basic knowledge of VBA, XHTML and Java. Java can
certainly work on mobiles and can be used to create dynamic web pages. I was
wondering what the benefits of using VB.NET maybe instead of J2EE for example.

If I use things like ASP.NET to facilitate a dynamic web page (i.e can
receive input and give output) can I use .NET to interact with a server? As
an example, suppose I have a business selling shoes and I make a web site for
online orders and purchases. How can .NET allow me to integrate a web page
with a business server such that, for example, if a pair of shoes is ordered
that automatically deducts one pair of shoes from the 'shoe inventory' on the
business server.

The bit I don't understand is how .NET can integrate with servers at the
business side? Suppose a typical business server is written in Java, how
would that integrate with, say, VB.NET?

I am pretty new to all this so please forgive my obvious misunderstandings.
I just want to be sure I am on the right track with the right and most
flexible product before I spend those dollars for the textbooks etc.

I really appreciate anybody who can spare 2 minutes to share their insights.

Best Regards

Alex Park