C++ vs Java

C++ is one of the most hardcore, awesome languages to have graced the computer world. It's raw power and speed combined with excellent OOP support, which makes it one of the best. But recently I've turned my eye to java. Java is alot of the things C++ isn't; it's slow, with automatic memory management, forced OOP and alot of other things that make it very different. I have, however been finding it to be very productive since I started programming in it.

I started out by making a (not so) simple program to check my mail and tell me if it's found anything. I was blown away at speed and ease in which I completed it. All the restrictions sucked, but my code looked plain awesome, which, coupled with it's short length in comparison to doing it in C++, had me hooked.

After completing a few more projects, I have come to the conclusion that Java certainly has it's place in my toolbox. I still enjoy coding in C++, and I prefer to do my work in that if it's not going to drag it out, but my old view (perhaps caused by ignorance) that Java was plain retared has definetly changed.