Taking a step forward to Java

C++ is a great language. It really is, and can be used in a variety of ways.

Unfortunately, it is basically like someone took a handful of paradigms and shoved them together. We've got some procedural over here, some Object-Oriented over here, some Functional over here, and oh, look, some Templates! Oh boy, will my code look like someone made a cake. Except the cake will be a mix of seven randomly-chosen flavors, which are placed here and there, with some inside the others.

Even worse, I chose Object-Oriented. Or at least, the book I learned programming from was ten years old and only had C with Classes. This would be fine in 1983, however today I'm left in the dust. With a small knowledge of C++, and a gnawing hope for something new, I set out on the path to java, littered with virtual machines, byte-code and a dash of object-oriented. Wait, about that last one, I meant that someone took the bottle of object-oriented programming out of the fridge, cut a hole in it, and poured the whole thing on Java.

I want to think that I'm taking a step forward. And in reality, I am. I'm taking a step back in C++ though. My resolution is to stop C++ coding. Of course, I'm finishing Space Invaders, and I'm going to write applications in it occasionally, however for the foreseeable future I want to forget C++. Why, you ask? Well, I want to re-learn C++.

Or, more correctly, give myself a great programming language to use (Java) in a paradigm I've dipped my toes into (Object-Oriented Programming) to create beautiful applications which utilize all of Java.

So, there you go. My opinion on me learning Java. Also, you guys should buy books form O'Reilly. I had a test, and they came through: