The language is beside the point (was: The great Java showcase)

["John G. Volan" <johnv@ac3i.dseg.ti.com>]

Paul Johnson wrote:
> 
> Also, I think you might forgive us some frustration.  Eiffel has been
> around now for over 10 years, but is still very much a minority language.
> Sun come along with Java, and suddenly it makes more progress in 1 year than
> Eiffel has in its entire existence, despite being clearly inferior to
> Eiffel on every ground that Eiffel has ever been criticised on.
> Aaarrrggghhhh.

Here's my theory on why Java is exploding right now: It isn't the
language or any of its compilable features that's driving the
juggernaut.  Trying to compare the Java _language_ eature for feature
with any other language (be it Eiffel or Ada or C++ or whatever) is a
futile exercise and is entirely beside the point.  The real keys to
Java's success are:

(1) its model of execution, embodied in the Java Virtual Machine,
offering the tantalizing prospect of "write once, run anywhere," its
security model, etc., etc.

(2) the large set of standardized _libraries_ that come with Java
allowing you to easily do all sorts of nifty things on the Internet.

Or at least that's the hype. You can of course debate how well Java
succeeds in these two areas, whether Java byte codes really are portable
across competing JVM's, whether Microsoft or Sun will win the class
library wars, etc.  My point is that if you're fighting a language war
based on language features, you're missing the point.  

In short: "It's the Internet, stupid."

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