I love Java – part 1

Yes, I do. I appreciate that I feel comfortable with the language, but I am not sure all does that. So, I should maybe control myself a bit. But why should I? Java is an excellent language to code in, and it requires some respect! In this article I will tell you my readers why I like Java and why I am not choosing another language.

Object oriented programming is a must. I need to translate the real world to the computer, and it works best with objects and classes. I like to re-factor alot of my code to make it easier to understand, and that I do by splitting up pieces of the code that translates to some logic function, to an actual class. In some cases re-factoring is not needed, in some cases when an application is old an tired the only solution is to scrap it and start for an object oriented point of view. In that way you can use all the logics and functions you have allready made and build it up to be an understandable and robust building that is easier to maintain!

Automatic garbage collection is so wonderful, but yet, it is not a total solution. If I make messy code, then garbage collection wont help much. But it is an integral part of java that makes the life of programmers less troublesome. I don’t have to destroy objects when they are not used, they are removed automatically.

But the main factor about java versus c (that I have actually considered learning) is the abstraction of pointers. In java you can send objects from point to point without having to control where it came from. If you toString an object you will see a memory address that is the actual pointer. So I would say that c and maybe c++ is an overhead for me.

I use Java every day from monday to friday at work. I am programming J2EE Web applications at work and J2SE on my spare time. There is no end to the list of exciting projects I could delve into, but the problem is time. I dont have time. I am married and will soon get little version of my self. Maybe I would have to train him? Hmm.. not a bad idea!

So, I like java for object orientation, absraction of pointers and garbage collection. But there is more! More about that in my follow up article!