   Switching to Java.
  I have been learning C++ for a little over a year now. I am going to be taking a Java course next year. How hard is switching from C++ to Java. Also is Visual J++ a good compiler?Just trying to get ahead. Thnx.    Favorite Quotes:Gandalf: You shall not pass!|Gollum: My Precious!|Smeagol: My little hobbitses.|  
  You should have very little trouble making the switch to Java given your current background. It will seem very similar to what you already know, just a few syntax changes, and maybe a few structure changes. You will also a lack of pointers in java that you may be used to seeing in C++. As for J++, I would avoid it. It is the microsoft version of a pseudo-java environment, and as such keeps you tied to the microsoft family with little ability to explore pure Sun Microsystems Java. You can go to sun''s website and download free SDK which will include the javac compiler. I like the Borland JBuilder IDE alot, and would recommend you look into a version of it, but you should not need to buy anything special. Sun''s compiler and a text editor should suffice. Hope this helped.CodeJunkie  ;  You can download Borland JBuilder for free from Borland''s website. Current project: 2D in Direct3D engine.% completed: ~35%Status: Active.;  Yes, once you know C++, java is easy to learn and complain about.  Hehehe.class HelloWorld{public static void main(){System.out.println("Java sucks!");}}vs#include <iostream.h>void main(){cout << "C++ Ownzer!";}  ;  Does main always have to lie within a class in Java? Favorite Quotes:Gandalf: You shall not pass!|Gollum: My Precious!|Smeagol: My little hobbitses.|;  Yes. "If there is a God, he is a malign thug."  -- Mark Twain;  Yes, but there can be classes that don't have a main function.(silencer)[edited by - -silencer- on April 1, 2003 8:13:48 PM];  Avoid visual J++.  My teacher told me it is different and shouldnt use.  We had Borland books as text books for my class, but i didnt like jbuilder my self.  All i did was install jbuilder so i cold have the library on my computer and i downloaded TextPad.  THat has worked out for me just fine.  ;  For an IDE, use Eclipse.www.eclipse.orgIt''s the best editor out there, bar none.  Let alone the complete free ness of it.  ;  For Java, I use j2sdk1.4.1 from Sun Microsystems : Java2 1.4.1And for the interface I use Auburn University''s jGrasp : jGraspI''ve used Textpad for the interface too, but prefer jGrasp (which is free, not shareware) : TextPad(silencer)  