Java Programming

[Chalupa]

Does anyone here know java programming language?
I am kinda new in programming, as a matter of fact I have no prior programming background, but I am thinking of taking one progamming class just for fun. How is Java language (in terms of functions, ease of use, etc.) compared to other similar programming languages (such as C#, C++, etc.) ?

 

[Shuzer]

There's a coding forum where I'm sure more people will answer you properly here:
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35

I'm sure the mods will move this though.. oh, and welcome to the forums :cheers:

 

[psyno]

Yes, welcome. Many of us here know Java. Have a look in the Coding Forum to which Shuzer pointed you. This is a common subject.

 

[Chalupa]

thanks guys

 

[SidewinderX]

i'll move this to coding

 

[r3coil]

I wish i knew more than java :-(

 

[Ansur]

I just love Java, though next year i'll probably take on a course of C++, always nice to know another programming language.

Btw is it like 'hard' to go from a language with garbage support etc to a language like C++ ?

 

[Raxel]

Java is good for small tasks, while C++ is good for larger projects. Java is a bit slower then C++/C when you have bigger projects, java is faster on smaller ones.

Java = Simple Projects (Java is also easyer to code).
C++/C = Larger Projects (C++ has a bigger learning curve).

Btw is it like 'hard' to go from a language with garbage support etc to a language like C++ ?

Depends on the person.

 

[mrchimp]

What would you class as a big project? Not in the number of lines but in overall complexity and size. I tend to find line numbers are not a good indication of how complex a project is, especially if you count GUI code.

The only limitations of Java that piss me off are no multiple inheritence and no way (to my knowledge) to free up memory without the garbage collector.

There was something else that was annoying me the other day but I have forgotten what it was. Anyway if you want to get striat down to makeing apps, java is the way to go, it only take's 1 or 2 months to start programming usefull software if your already familiar with another language.

 

[r3coil]

My java compiler (Java Bean) is in ALL java and i know its slower than it would run in C++ laf laf

 

[Ansur]

The only limitations of Java that piss me off are no multiple inheritence and no way (to my knowledge) to free up memory without the garbage collector.

Java solves this using interfaces.

Now, from what I've heard and seen, Java is used for rather large, high-quality software. Esp. business software like SAP and such.

 

[Rygir]

I just love Java, though next year i'll probably take on a course of C++, always nice to know another programming language.

Btw is it like 'hard' to go from a language with garbage support etc to a language like C++ ?

You're going to have to "unlearn" some stuff... Not sure what you mean with garbage support, if it's the Java garbage collector you're referring to, yes, you're going to miss it. A lot. Other than that, C++ and java are virtually identical at the root. And they've got similar extensions imho.

The latest java SDK with the JIT compiler is pretty much as smooth and fast as any other higher level language. Java is used mainly because it does a lot of stuff for you, straight out of the box, and above all compiled code is portable!!!!!

I figured I'd put it in different phrasing; if you're project depends largely on development time and less on performance, java is your choice. If you're going to have to be carefull and cut corners and can't afford superfluous stuff, you're going for C or a derivative. If you're a diehard, assembler is the only way to go. And imho, the most interesting, but i've noticed I'm alone in that opinion

 

[Akrin]

Java solves this using interfaces.

Interfaces DO NOT provide the functionality of multiple inheritence. All they do is force you to implement a certain set of functions (an interface); this is not inheritence - this is but a SMALL subset of inheritence.

Now, from what I've heard and seen, Java is used for rather large, high-quality software. Esp. business software like SAP and such.

Only small parts of SAP applications have been written in JAVA to this date. They have primarily been written in SAP's proprietary langauge ABAP. ABAP is an integrated programming language for the SAP R/3 system. Much of this system (including system tools and applications) was written using ABAP; the only exception is the kernel which was written entirely in C.

Java is mostly just used for web/frond end development with SAP applications. However XML and ASP are used just as much for this purpose.

 

[Akrin]

If you're a diehard, assembler is the only way to go. And imho, the most interesting, but i've noticed I'm alone in that opinion

You're not alone.

*runs away chanting*
"shift to the left, shift to the right, branch on equal, byte, byte, byte"

 

[Cyanide]

For you assembler freaks out there, here's a link to a full OS written almost entirely in x86 assembly. It's also open source so you can look at and play with the code if you want to. Or just marvel at the fact that it all fits on a 1.44mb floppy. http://www.menuetos.org/index.htm

- Pre-emptive multitasking, multithreading, ring-3 protection
- Responsive GUI with 16 M colours up to 1280x1024
- Ide: editor/compiler for assembly kernel and applications
- Kernel and application sources included (GPL)
- TCP/IP stack with PPP & Ethernet drivers
- Http/mp3/email servers, 3D maze
- Free-form, skinnable application windows
- Hard real-time data fetch
- Fits in a single floppy !

 

[Rafa 5.0]

I don't like Linux, but I would go with Mac :thumbs: