🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <mac.318.3115D621@zeus.hsrc.ac.za>, mac@zeus.hsrc.ac.za says...
>
>Since I can never get into Sun's Java site, perhaps someone could clarify what 
>Java is.. I have heard the following:
>
>- Java is an interpreter for the JavaScript scripting language.
>
Sounds likely, but don't know.

>- Java produces p-code (or someting similar) for Internet Java browser to 
>interpret.
>
Pretty much.

>- Java is a full compiler that produces .EXE files using a language that is 
>C++-like in syntax but with less indeterminacies and a single-inheritance 
>object hierarchy.

Partly right.
>
>- Java is all of these
>
>All revelations gratefully received ....
>

I've read a bit on Java, haven't used it (yet).  My understanding is that Java, 
the language, is an object-oriented language much like C++ except lacking all 
the baggage, compromises, concessions, etc. of C++. Java compiles to bytecodes, 
p-code, that is interpreted (or otherwise used) by a *browser*.  But it could 
also be interpreted by a compiler on any system, yielding a native executable.

The main thing is that this thing is seriously portable! The user's machine is 
irrelevant, your program will run on anything that can run a suitable browser. 
Highly OO-able too.

I guess the idea being promoted is the ability to field active, interactive, 
animated www pages, and further, the promise of using needed software that you 
don't own, you just rent for a while.  But to me, the idea of a widely 
supported, good programming language is pretty exciting alone.

Ken