In the world of programming, if an application needs a GUI (what doesn’t these days) the first thing that comes to mind is “Java“; aren’t I right???? Seriously! It’s easy, cross compatible, and has great reviews. Java looks like an all around great deal!

Well I don’t want to rain on all you Java coderz parades, so I’m gonna pour and flood.

When it comes to application working, it doesn’t get any better that C++. Now I’m pretty bias, but let me explain. C++ can beat Java in the three things I mentioned above.

It’s Easy - Sure Java is easy. Things are based in a OOP kinda way. However, one must remember Java is just C++ deep down inside, really it is. The only difference between the two is that Java brings it’s API built in, while C++ relies on imported/exported libraries and interfaces. However, just include the file windows.h and you have the entire Win32 API at your finger tips. C++ is better than Java, you just got to find a good library or two.

It’s cross compatible - Well while we all would love “write once work on all toasters”, that’s beyond the point. C++ will work on any platform just like Java. Sure you’ll need separate libraries for different things, but how much does it matter. While you may have to recode the GUI, most of the internal code will remain untouched. If you use Java just because you don’t want to rewrite an interface, then you are just lazy (and my parents taught me that was bad. *Tisk Tisk*) Really how hard is it to rewrite it, unless we’re talking a “extremely” large application.

Java has great reviews - So does C++, as simple as that

Example
Now to help illustrate all of this, let me share a story if you will. I have a friend called Blake. He made a pretty simple instant messaging program in Java (with the server software in C++). Well, let me tell you the trouble he’s had. In my opinion it’s GUI sucked under Linux, it didn’t work in Mac OS X (so much for platform independent), and a lot of the time it froze.

Now I don’t want to criticize my good ol’ buddy, but if he had written it in C++, I’d bet a $100,000,032.67 that he would not have a single problem.

I hope that all of you will consider my opinions and look more to C++. I’m not saying Java is a terrible language, I’m saying C++ is better

Until next time,
~ mike