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Why is Java Considered Un-Cool?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-in-the-nineties-their-lawyers-were-jerks dept.

jg21 writes "After the Slashdot discussion on Paul Graham's 'Great Hackers' essay, it had to happen. Java developers have taken umbrage at Graham's assertion that "Of all the great programmers I can think of, I know of only one who would voluntarily program in Java. And of all the great programmers I can think of who don't work for Sun, on Java, I know of zero." Now in JDJ Sachin Hejip pinpoints the Top Reasons Why Java is Considered Un-Cool and to tries to debunk them. He levels some of the blame at the Java compiler for "too much chaperoning" and speculates that Java fails the geek test precisely because "it's such a language-for-the-masses." But isn't he missing the point? Enterprise-grade apps and "coolness" may be inapproriate bedfellows. Besides, does any language offer both?"

3 of 1,782 comments (clear)

  1. Java is bloated by cperciva · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Recent benchmarks have demonstrated that, once running, a well-coded Java program is about as fast as a well-coded C program.

    However, the "once running" issue is a big problem. Java startup time is slow, simply by virtue of the time it takes to load everything off of disk. And, unless you're running a server -- which most people aren't -- the startup time is by far the most important performance criterion in determining subjective performance.

    Give me back my <20kB executables, and I'll consider using Java.

    --
    Tarsnap: Online backups for the truly paranoid
  2. Re:Also Speed by dfj225 · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Actually, Java can be just as fast as C or C++ code in the right situations. I think the best place for Java is on the server. Here apps run for long times and overhead doesn't have to be a huge issue. Java VMs are capable of predicting the code's branches after it has run for some time, so it seems that it can be quite efficient on a server. Also, I don't think that the cross-platform support is what would necessarily make Java "slow" since each VM can be fined tuned for the platform that it is designed for.

    --
    SIGFAULT
  3. it's the damn coffee cup! by mojoNYC · · Score: 0, Redundant
    java is an incredibly versatile language, but the load time is ridiculous on the net--i HATE sitting there and watching that stupid coffee cup for 20 seconds, or however long it takes...

    it's funny how many trolls here can't stand Flash, but they'll willingly sit and stare at that freakin' coffee cup, and twiddle their thumbs while java takes it's sweet time loading...

    i hate to tell ya, but you know what's cool? Actionscript 2.0-- /. trolls may hate it, but the chicks dig it!;>