Exploring GitHub Copilot’s App Modernization for Java and .NET
John: Hey everyone, welcome back to the blog! Today, we’re diving into something super exciting in the world of AI-driven development: GitHub Copilot’s new app modernization features for Java and .NET. If you’re a developer or just curious about how AI is reshaping coding, this is going to blow your mind. It’s all about updating legacy apps quickly and efficiently, letting AI handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on innovation.
Lila: Hi John! As a beginner, “app modernization” sounds a bit intimidating. Can you break it down? What’s the big deal with this Copilot thing for Java and .NET?
John: Absolutely, Lila. App modernization basically means taking old software—think creaky legacy systems written in Java or .NET—and updating them to work better with modern tech like cloud services. GitHub Copilot, powered by AI, now helps automate this process. According to recent updates from GitHub and sources like InfoWorld, it’s generally available as of late September 2025, and it’s designed to cut modernization time from months to days. If you’re comparing automation tools that could complement this, our deep-dive on Make.com covers features, pricing, and use cases in plain English—worth a look: Make.com (formerly Integromat) — Features, Pricing, Reviews, Use Cases.
The Basics: What Is GitHub Copilot App Modernization?
Lila: Okay, that makes sense. But how does it actually work? Is it like having a robot rewrite your code?
John: Pretty close! GitHub Copilot has been around for a while as an AI coding assistant, suggesting code snippets in real-time. Now, with this modernization extension, it goes further. For Java and .NET apps, it can assess your codebase, suggest transformations, fix builds, and even containerize services for cloud deployment. Imagine you’re dealing with an old Java app from the early 2000s—Copilot can guide you through upgrading it to a modern framework, all while handling the nitty-gritty details. This is backed by Microsoft’s announcements and GitHub’s changelog from September 22, 2025, where they highlighted how it integrates with tools like Azure Migrate for seamless cloud shifts.
Lila: Whoa, that sounds efficient. Why focus on Java and .NET specifically?
John: Great question. Java and .NET are hugely popular for enterprise apps, but many are outdated and hard to maintain. GitHub’s data shows enterprises can save tons of time—think assessing apps in days instead of months. It’s not just hype; real-world examples from the GitHub Blog include step-by-step guides for modernizing legacy Java projects, like migrating to Azure-ready setups.
Key Features and How They Help Developers
Lila: Features sound key here. Can you list out the main ones and explain them simply? Maybe with an analogy?
John: Sure thing! Let’s break it down into a quick list for clarity:
- Code Assessment: Copilot scans your app for outdated elements, like a mechanic checking under the hood of an old car to spot what’s rusty.
- Automated Transformations: It applies updates, such as converting legacy Java code to modern versions or patching .NET builds—think of it as AI doing the renovation work.
- Build Patching and Containerization: Fixes compilation issues and packages the app for containers, making it easy to deploy on clouds like Azure.
- Integration with IDEs: Works in Visual Studio, JetBrains, and more, with recent updates adding code review features as per GitHub’s September 18, 2025 changelog.
- AI-Driven Insights: Provides recommendations based on best practices, drawing from vast training data without exposing your code.
John: These features are rolling out fast. For instance, a SiliconANGLE article from September 23, 2025, notes how Microsoft is enhancing Azure Migrate alongside Copilot to make migrations smoother.
Lila: That’s helpful. But is it only for big companies, or can smaller teams use it too?
John: It’s accessible to anyone with a GitHub Copilot subscription. Pricing starts at around $10/month for individuals, scaling for teams. Recent trends on X (from verified accounts like @github) show developers praising how it democratizes modernization— even solo devs are using it to revive personal projects.
Current Developments and Real-World Examples
Lila: What’s happening right now? Any fresh updates or examples from the last few days?
John: Oh yeah, things are moving quickly. Just four days ago, GitHub announced general availability for Java and .NET modernization in their changelog. There’s a step-by-step guide on their blog for Java projects, showing how to use “agent mode” for guided upgrades. On the .NET side, integrations with Visual Studio allow AI-driven upgrades directly in the IDE, as detailed in a Windows Forum post from two days ago. Trending discussions on X highlight devs modernizing apps for Azure, with one verified thread from @AzureDev noting a 70% time reduction in migrations.
Lila: Impressive! Are there any challenges or downsides?
Challenges and Considerations
John: Like any tool, it’s not perfect. One challenge is ensuring AI suggestions align with your specific needs—sometimes manual tweaks are required. Security is another: GitHub emphasizes that your code isn’t used for training, but always review outputs. From recent InfoWorld coverage, some devs worry about over-reliance on AI, potentially skipping deep understanding. Plus, it’s currently focused on Java and .NET, so other languages might need to wait.
Lila: Got it. What about the future? Where is this headed?
Future Potential and Broader Applications
John: The potential is huge. GitHub is expanding Copilot with things like mobile task management (from a Blockchain News update yesterday) and even deprecating old extensions for better AI integrations by November 2025. Imagine combining this with other tools for full automation pipelines. If creating documents or slides to pitch your modernized app feels overwhelming, this step-by-step guide to Gamma shows how you can generate presentations, documents, and even websites in just minutes: Gamma — Create Presentations, Documents & Websites in Minutes.
Lila: That sounds futuristic. Any tips for getting started?
John: Start with GitHub’s free trials or docs. Experiment on a small project—there’s a changelog from September 5, 2025, with Eclipse improvements, showing broad IDE support.
FAQs: Answering Common Questions
Lila: Before we wrap up, let’s do some quick FAQs. Does it work with all Java versions?
John: It targets legacy ones like Java 8, upgrading to 17 or later, per the GitHub Blog.
Lila: And for .NET?
John: Similar—upgrades from .NET Framework to .NET 8, with Azure focus.
Lila: Is it secure?
John: Yes, with enterprise-grade controls, as updated in the VS Code August release (v1.104) from two weeks ago.
John: Reflecting on this, GitHub Copilot’s app modernization is a game-changer, bridging the gap between old code and new possibilities. It’s empowering developers to innovate faster without getting bogged down in legacy tech. As AI evolves, tools like this will make software development more accessible and efficient for everyone.
Lila: My takeaway? This makes modernization feel achievable even for beginners like me—excited to try it on a small project!
And if you’re into automation that pairs well with coding tools, check out our Make.com guide for more insights: Make.com (formerly Integromat) — Features, Pricing, Reviews, Use Cases.
This article was created based on publicly available, verified sources. References:
- GitHub Copilot-backed app modernization available for Java, .NET | InfoWorld
- GitHub Copilot app modernization is now generally available for Java and .NET – GitHub Changelog
- A step-by-step guide to modernizing Java projects with GitHub Copilot agent mode – The GitHub Blog
- Microsoft adds new code modernization features to GitHub Copilot and Azure Migrate – SiliconANGLE
- Copilot code review: Now in JetBrains IDEs and Visual Studio – GitHub Changelog