Java is not without drawbacks......???

5. Disadvantages of Java

Like any programming language, Java is not without drawbacks. Java is an interpreted language, so programs written in Java won't be speed demons. Still, for most programs that students write, speed is secondary. With ever-faster computers available at bargain prices, Java should be fast enough for all but the most time-intensive programs.

Other problems stem from Java's youth. For one thing, Java isn't available on all platforms. Although Java will likely spread to more as time goes on, it's unlikely to be implemented on older platforms. That will cause problems for institutions that lack funds for hardware and software upgrades. Still, that barrier should be only a temporary one.

Java is relatively immature. Although the language itself is unlikely to change dramatically, we can expect significant changes in the Java API and associated technology. (The latest version of the Java Development Kit, JDK 1.1, is currently in beta. It features a host of changes to the API.) Still, C++ has been in a state of almost continuous change since it was created--the official standard isn't expected for another year or two--but that hasn't stopped industry and academia from adopting it.

Java is also hampered by a shortage of genuine textbooks. This problem should also take care of itself within a short time.

The syntax of Java can be criticized. Making Java resemble C and C++ was a shrewd move on the part of Java's designers: the language looks familiar to most software developers, making it easy to switch to. On the other hand, Java has inherited some of the quirks and traps of C and C++. For example, the placement of semicolons can easily trip up the beginner. The ``dangling if'' problem is present in Java; most modern languages have eliminated it. C's /* ... */ comment style is supported, allowing students to accidentally ``comment out'' parts of their programs.