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From: David Botton <David@Botton.com>
Subject: Re: Java momentum slowing ?
Date: 1999/05/09
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"Pascal F. Martin" wrote:
 while Java does
> have a standard (albeit quite unstable: AWT, then SWING, then what else ?).
> 

Java does not have a standard. It has a vendor.

> BTW, Java is not a scripting language: you need to use a compiler. Maybe
> you confused with javascript ?

You compile Python too. Python compiles to a byte code and then
executes. You can even distribute the byte code just like Java and just
run it :)

No, I am not confused, realistic.

> 
> The main points I wanted to make is that the argument "the language X is
> more portable than Y" is invalid without a distinction between language
> and environment, and that people are comparing the Ada language with another
> language + environment: apple with orange. If a valid comparison is to be
> made, it should compare similar features.

Java is not JDK. BTW you can compile Ada to bytecode and use all the JDK
facilities just like Java. (See some examples on
http://www.adapower.com/os)

> 
> As a conclusion, having used Ada for 7 years, I am still surprised how
> immature are some language zealots. The fact that Ada is a good language
> does not mean it is problem-free, or a silver bullet. I still remember the
> silly thread "The Ariane 5 rocket would have not crashed if it had been
> programmed in PL/1". A language is just a tool. No program is going to be
> more robust or portable than its design allows it to be (intentionally
> or not: I have seen easily portable designs that was not intended to be).

Ada is a tool that when used properly leads to better implementations.
If your design smells so does your code. The key is that Ada helps
prevent human error unlike the C syntax of C/C++/Java, is easier reading
and easier to maintain.

David Botton