[NTLUG:Discuss] OT: Java question

[Burton M. Strauss III]

If you're going to toot Sun's horn, at least expose the brass plating and
base metal underneath!

Java has been through many iterations, some evolutionary, some
revolutionary.

Java 1 (renamed to 1.1)

   revolution

Java 2 (renamed to 1.2)

Java 1.3

Java 1.4

   revolution

Java 1.5 (in beta)


That is, the person who learns Java 1.1 has a significant change moving to
1.2.  Moving between 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 isn't that difficult - each change
adds more functionality, but the basic stuff works the same.

The jump to 1.5 is again a significant change - Sun has cleaned up a lot,
removed the cruft, etc.


All of that said, however, when you get into real worlds apps, even small
changes can be painful.  Look at the number of applications that ship with
or require a specific Java version, e.g. 1.4.2.


-----Burton