Java's Cover: A Hacker's Skeptical View on Java's Success

This essay by Paul Graham examines the reasons why he believes Java is a flawed language, despite its popularity. He uses the metaphor of a book's cover to illustrate his argument, suggesting that certain aspects of Java's design and promotion make it appear suspicious, like a book with a misleading cover.

• Graham emphasizes that his analysis is not a criticism of Java itself, but a critique of its outward appearance, which he believes is deceptive.
• He argues that Java's design and promotion are driven by ulterior motives, particularly a desire by Sun Microsystems to compete with Microsoft.
• He questions Java's true value and its potential for long-term success.

Java's Promotion and Design: A Challenge to Microsoft

Graham argues that Java's success is largely driven by its promotion rather than its intrinsic merit. He points out that truly successful technologies like C, Unix, and HTML didn't need extensive marketing campaigns, as they were already established by the time they became widely known.

• Graham believes that Java's creators were not motivated by a genuine desire to improve the programming language landscape but by a strategic goal of challenging Microsoft's dominance.
• He suggests that Java's design is aimed at a "mainstream" audience, specifically programmers used to C++, rather than at the more demanding and sophisticated hacker community.

Java's Target Audience: A Shift from Hackers to Corporate

Graham contends that Java's design is aimed at large organizations, not hackers, who are more interested in power and flexibility than in standardized procedures.

• He argues that Java's focus on security and safety features designed to prevent errors may actually limit the creativity and innovation of hackers.
• He suggests that Java's bureaucratic design and emphasis on protocols are more suitable for corporate environments than for agile and creative hackers.

Java's Design: A Reflection of Sun's Business Strategy

Graham argues that Java's design is intertwined with Sun's business strategy and its desire to undermine Microsoft.

• He suggests that Java's reliance on Sun's servers, Solaris, is a deliberate attempt to capture market share from Microsoft.
• He questions the true need for Sun servers, noting that alternative solutions like FreeBSD are as effective and potentially more cost-effective.

Java's Appeal: A Disturbing Trend

Graham is troubled by the types of programmers who seem to be most attracted to Java, which he considers a sign of its flawed design and limited appeal.

• He finds it concerning that Java is popular among "suits" who lack technical expertise and simply follow the hype, as well as programmers at large companies who are looking for something "better" than C++.
• He believes that Java's appeal to plug-and-chug undergrads is another indication of its lack of depth and intellectual challenge.

Java's Legacy: A Verdict Yet to Be Seen

Graham concludes by stating that while his analysis is based on a critique of Java's outward appearance, he remains skeptical about its true potential and long-term success.

• He suggests that Java's reliance on corporate support and its lack of appeal to the hacker community might ultimately undermine its longevity.
• He notes that similar languages designed for large organizations, like PL/I and Ada, have ultimately failed to gain widespread acceptance.