Java is a very powerful programming language with an extensive library.  It started life around 1995 with the goal of allowing small appliances to speak to one another.   Since then, it has grown to include new functionality.

The dream of Java was to create a programming language that allowed small devices to talk with each other.  Java's other aim was to be platform independent.   Java has accomplished both goals in a glorious way.   Java is a very powerful programming language.  It is used extensively and pervasively.

I was drawn to Java because of it independent platform nature.   Java basically allows you to use any hardware and operating sytstem that you like.   This provides you and me with many more options about hardware and operating systems.   We are not tied down to any one provider.   We are free to choose our partners.   This allows us to go shopping for the best combination that meets our needs.

The other aspect that attracted me to Java was Swing.   Swing allows developers to create rich client GUI applications.   Building GUIs is pretty straight forward in Java.   The event model is elegantly simple.  Java is based on established design patterns.   The contributors of Java are brilliant in their own right.

The other thing I love about Java are its libraries.   There are libraries for most aspects of computing.   There are libraries for graphical displays, web applications, networking and so on.   The libraries built into Java are evolving and ever growing.   Many of these libraries have grown into adaptable frameworks.

For examples, the collections framework.  It wraps most of the data structures that are taught in college.  Data structure allow for the organization of data into structures that allow searching, sorting, and ordering.  The collection's framework also allows for their replacement or extension.  One can always replace them with a more specialized version.