One of GREAT Java advantges should be its portability. I've had SO many portability issues with Java over a last couple of years running it on different platforms (with VERY different results) that I'm close to becoming an active 'Java-hater'. No need to say, since it was 'fashion' to write programs in Java, lot of colledge homeworks were required to be done in Java.

Almost EVERY time I've had to deal with it (from nb and jdk to eclipse) whether for educational, personal or professional use I've had some nasty surprise waiting around the corner to slow me down.

So far I think it is interesting concept (so haven't quite quit on it) but gone astray (avoid it as much as I can).

Issues I've had so far include:

1) Portability,
2) Functinality ,
3) Speed!
4) Backward compability

So, althought there are some bright examples. I'll pass this one for a while too...

Best luck,
CN