Is Java really used...?

[it wags the tail]

I'm just curious. I'm learning Java because I have a feeling it's the easiest object oriented programming language to learn. (Correct me if I'm wrong, though.) Well, I've been noticing people saying that "Java isn't used much" and "No one uses Java." Similar things to those statements.

Is this true, though? Am I wasting my time learning it? Not that I'll stop, if so. It'll still help me to learn things like C++, but....

What's your opinion on this?

[Disconsented]

Minecraft.

[it wags the tail]

Disconsented

Minecraft.

Wow. I had no idea.

[Lanackse-Kanvae]

Java may not be the speediest kid on the block but it will work on any machine with the Java program on it no matter if we're talking Windows, MacOS, any of this lot..

Before going into a specific language, I'd learn how to be a good programmer. This involves planning, naming your variables in a way that won't confuse you 5 years down the line when you pull it out, planning, learning to read through your code with a fine toothed comb when an error makes the compiler effectively flip you the bird. Did I mention planning?

I'd post up Sitwon's extremely brilliant link but my bed is calling and I would like to get some sleep tonight. That's on top of the fact that I've forgotten it due to my brain being focused on me getting my arse to sleep.

[Object Pascal]

Really..? Of course. Take Disconsented's post for example. Not that it's exactly the most practical programming language (particularly for desktop application programming) as opposed to C/C++ or something like Python (that said, I'm not suggesting it doesn't have subtle advantages over the aforementioned languages—God knows it does).

Lanackse-Kanvae brings up a fair point as well (as well of one of the implied advantages it has over the other languages I mentioned).

So, yes. People do actually use Java. It's one of the most popular, modern, industry standardized platforms/programming languages available currently.

[javecantrell]

Don't forget Android development.

[Object Pascal]

javecantrell

Don't forget Android development.

Definitely this. Without Java, you wouldn't see most of the apps generally available to you via integrated app stores and the like.

it wags the tail

I'm learning Java because I have a feeling it's the easiest object oriented programming language to learn.

This slipped my mind along with the majority of your original post (I was sidetracked by the initial question):

I'd have to disagree with that. Java has different structures OOP languages like PHP lack (class hierarchy, and so on), which could in theory make the learning curve more steep than learning a different OOP language that lacks this feature.

Regarding the other points in your post: In my opinion, you aren't necessarily wasting your time learning it. And in pretty much all (related) programming languages, when you learn about aspects of one language you learn a bit about the other (was the term programming agnosticism?).

Just my two cents.

[psychic stalker]

it wags the tail

I'm just curious. I'm learning Java because I have a feeling it's the easiest object oriented programming language to learn. (Correct me if I'm wrong, though.)

I would say it isn't. In fact, I'd argue that Python, Ruby, and SmallTalk are by far easier to learn.

it wags the tail

Well, I've been noticing people saying that "Java isn't used much" and "No one uses Java." Similar things to those statements.

Whoever told you that is either badly misinformed or just plain ignorant. Java is second only to C and C++ in terms of deployed code.

it wags the tail

Is this true, though? Am I wasting my time learning it? Not that I'll stop, if so. It'll still help me to learn things like C++, but....

No, no, and kinda.

No, it's an outright lie that Java isn't used - Android is based on Java, and there are more Android phones and tablets than there are iPhones and iPads put together.

No, it's absolutely not a waste of time to learn any programming language (except perhaps Visual Basic.)

It will help you learn C++, but you'd do better to learn more than one language before you learn C++. Go for at least 3 or 4 languages before you dig in to C++ - it's a nasty beast.

it wags the tail

What's your opinion on this?

I think there is a whole list of languages that are better than Java. But that's my opinion. I'm not entirely convinced of the value of object-oriented programming for its own sake. (Java's development community and the common idioms lead to a lot of useless boilerplate code and spaghetti messes.)

[Object Pascal]

psychic stalker

No, it's absolutely not a waste of time to learn any programming language (except perhaps Visual Basic.)

You'd better be careful, this snippet may have lured the (Microsoft) BASIC fanboys to this thread. (On a somewhat related note- I'm assuming there are seldom Visual Basic programmers in the general population of C&T.)

[psychic stalker]

Object Pascal

psychic stalker

No, it's absolutely not a waste of time to learn any programming language (except perhaps Visual Basic.)

You'd better be careful, this snippet may have lured the (Microsoft) BASIC fanboys to this thread.

Bring 'em on.

Object Pascal

(On a somewhat related note: I'm assuming there are seldom Visual Basic programmers in the general population of C&T.)

My experience is that anyone with any real experience programming in more than one programming language has learned that Visual Basic is useful for only one thing: Bringing archaic software out of the dark ages and replacing it in the most expedient way possible.

Beyond that, Visual Basic is the single most brain-damaged, pointlessly over-complicated, worthless pile of dog s**t ever to come out of the Redmond campus. It's a moronic language designed to be used by uneducated halfwits. But because it's from the sacred hallows of Microsoft, it's a Holy language, fully endorsed by the Prophet Gates.

Goddamn worthless.

[Object Pascal]

Agreed.

I generally condemn Visual Basic when it comes to just about anything (regarding your "dark ages" point, I'd use something like Delphi alternatively. Same RAD aspect and all, just not extremely crappy and managed directly under .NET Framework/Microsoft).

And don't get me started on conventions; Dim keyword for variable naming, anyone? Dim is for Dimwit, Var is for Variable.

P.S. Yes that line was cliche. Deal with it.

[it wags the tail]

So much information to absorb. Thank you everyone for your responses. I think what I'll do is keep learning Java, even if it might have some slight things that make it more difficult. I can't imagine attempting to learn a big language like C++ first though, so I'll stick with it for now.

[Aven Donn]

Object Pascal

psychic stalker

No, it's absolutely not a waste of time to learn any programming language (except perhaps Visual Basic.)

You'd better be careful, this snippet may have lured the (Microsoft) BASIC fanboys to this thread. (On a somewhat related note- I'm assuming there are seldom Visual Basic programmers in the general population of C&T.)

RAAAR VISUAL BASIC IS BEST LANGUAG-- Wait I'm not even a programmer. What am I doing. Where am I?

[Sitwon]

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As was already mentioned, I have a guide for this. (Other regulars have contributed to this guide as well. I believe in peer-review.)

Java is very much still in use. The company I work for has a lot of big-name clients and based on how they integrate our software I'd say it's about an even split between Java and C#.

I agree with psychic stalker that Java is not perfect and has quite a few legitimate problems, however I actually kind of like it. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's my favorite language or anything, but I do find it usable and sometime even enjoyable. (And I certainly don't mind getting paid well to write in it on occasion.)

Finally, while I don't have anything good to say on behalf of VisualBasic, I would comment that I can think of a worse language.

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[psychic stalker]

Sitwon

Finally, while I don't have anything good to say on behalf of VisualBasic, I would comment that I can think of a worse language.

I almost said PHP, but then I realized there is value in learning it:

As an instructive lesson in how bone-headed decisions, half-hearted support for oft-needed functionality (and whole-hearted support for useless or banal functionality), and a community trained to copy-and-paste over critical thought can lead to stupidity running rampant in the business world.