Core Web Programming, Second Edition

6.1. Unique Features of Java

Actually, many of the capabilities described in this section are not truly one of a kind, just unique in the experience of most developers. Java is an excellent language, but not, as some proponents claim, a brilliant breakthrough packed with ideas that have never been seen before. The vast majority of Java language features are already available in other languages. So why all the excitement about Java? What Java has done that few other languages have been able to do is to combine standard capabilities (C/C++ syntax), powerful features of niche-market languages (automatic memory management, bytecode interpreters), and key APIs for enterprise development. The following sections highlight some of the most important ...