Java: Fighting the Critics

Java critics over the years have tried to say that C++ is a better language. They make false claims, including that Java is too slow to program games, it has memory leaks, Java is a high level language, and that no REAL programmer uses Java to write games. Let's discuss these so called "problems" Java has.

When critics say that Java is too slow to program games, they are really saying that it is slower than C or C++. This statement was very true when Java first came out around 1996, but has changed since its early days. Java 5.0 has been set at only 10% slower than C++. Some people even believe that the newest versions are faster than plain C++ This vast improvement has come mostly because of compiler improvements.

Another thing that has plagued Java is the supposed “memory leaks.” Java offers a garbage collector that recycles memory to prevent this. Most “memory leaks” are caused by bad programming techniques. Some people complain that the garbage collector executes at poorly timed intervals, but this is alleviated when a coder lets the program sleep a few milliseconds every iteration.

A third argument critics make is that there are no commercial games made in Java. This is the easier argument to refute. There are many games that have been made in Java, including the popular Runescape.

Bottom line, no matter what the critics try to say, Java will continue to gain popularity because of its many advantages over C++.