From little that I've seen of Java, IMHO there's great potential. One that is much bigger than C++ has or will ever be. The bottom line is that C++ is simply too complex which translates into low productivity.
I think the most important statement in your message is the first line ... "From little that I've seen of Java". What, maybe three years ago, we had Rod over here telling us that Java would replace all languages within in a couple of years. Still, WHERE'S THE JAVA?
C++ is NOT too complex. With reasonable tools (C++ Builder is one) C++ is quite simple -- my 14 year old has learned it quite well as his first language. I can assure you, Microsoft can turn Java into something amazingly comples.
The skepticism I hear about Java is the same I heard when C++ first came out. Even the hardcore C programmers questioned it.
I'm not sure about this. I know I did my first c++ project the same year I heard of the language. The transition from c to c++ was a much different task than that of moving from c/c++ to Java -- in particular, you had thousands of programmers who had no concept of object oriented programming (I was one), who cut their teeth on procedural languages, who suddenly had to start thinking in a radically different manner. While there is an aspect of this in the c++ to Java move, I don't think it should be as much of a problem. Translated: If Java were ready, you'd be seeing mucho apps out there now. But even now, years after its introduction, you see only a couple.
Java was over hyped initially, but it's alive and well and will be THE programming language in less than 5 years.
We've heard this before. Three years ago, Java would be THE programming language in three years. The reality is that it will probably be THE language for certain tasks, but there is still a great deal of stuff that can bring Java down to a core use of developing embedded systems and similar tasks. For example, you could have someone come along a develop a c++ or delphi that runs on a JVM. Poof! The end of Java.
OTOH, Java could make it. But MSFT is going to fight it becoming a universal language, and they are influential.
Developers have to be careful when they make investments in code. There are certain applications for which Java is perfect; I expect those to flourish. But people will be careful not to cram Java into places where it doesn't belong. In my view. |
