What is the best way to interface C# and Java? [closed]

Question

Hypothetically, you have two products, one written in Java, the other in C#. You like the Java based backend (non-user visible portion), but would like to use the C# (WPF) frontend. What is the best way to go about interfacing them?

Note that the backend must be able to run on either a server or on the local machine and the frontend should be able to connect to either one.

My first thoughts were to use something like Ice, or maybe a webservice.

And Go!

Edit

Converting the code or running it in some variety of neutral VM (IKVM) is not an option.

Answer 1

Web services should be your default choice because there is so much work around interoperability in that space.

If you don't mind tight coupling, and must make performace based decisions, two solutions I have encountered are:

• J-Integra
• Juggernet

I'm sure there are others.

Answer 2

While Web Services (WS-*) might be the correct solution, getting stacks to interoperate can be kludgy.

There is much to be said for HTTP + (POX | JSON) and REST-ian architecture.