For a product in long run (may be 0.5-1 million users) is it good to use java instead of .net from the cost/profitability perspective. To elaborate more..consider web farm scenario in which one will have to purchase windows + Sql server + some antivirus licenses for .net applications. But for java it’s almost free. What points should I consider?
PS: I am a .net person by heart
I would expect bandwidth to cost more than software licences is you’re reasonably successful – although obviously that will depend somewhat on the kind of app, and I haven’t run any figures.
Are you just starting this up yourself, with little firm idea that it will take off? If so, I suggest you go with whatever makes your life easier to start with. If things take off, you’ll either have enough money to pay for the licences easily, or you’ll quite possibly need to rewrite the app anyway. Writing an app which provably scales to a million users is likely to cause you a lot more grief than writing one which scales to 10,000. Get the app out there early, get feedback ASAP, and you can do what it takes if it ever becomes truly successful.