D, Java? To D or not to D?

[Waldemar]

== Quote from TPJ (tprimke at interia.pl)'s article
> a) Java programs are run by JVM. IMO it's a big advantage: the only thing I
> have to do is to "compile" my app on my development box, and then I can ship
> it without any changes for any OS with JVM.

Sometimes VM is a no no, then you look for D.  Otherwise you don't.

> b) I can write everything in Java. No need to use other languages and various
> tools. It means easier development.

Does the "everything" include systems, communications, graphics, etc?  Of course
not.  Indeed, there is no point looking outside Java as long as you're in the Java
land.  In other words, D is not competing with Java.  But it is targeted at Java
developers who look for another language to augment their projects.

> e) Java is very popular. It makes Java programs easier to port. I intend to
> write desktop apps for *nices, Windows and MacOSX systems, as well as some
> games (2D only!!!) for those systems and mobile devices. In my opinion Java is
> a good choice.

Yes.  If you can, that is.  But what if you can't?

> 2) D might be perceived as an alternative to Java or C# (I don't count C/C++).

That's a flat no.  D is competing with C/C++.  Some of my fellow D enthusiasts
find a way to use D where Java and C# rule but the reality is One Man Show has no
chance against MS or Sun.

> But it is really the case? Java was born in 1995, today it's a very known
> language. C# was born in 1999, today it's popularity is still rising. And D?
> Mars was born in 1988, D in 1999. How many people have heard about D? In
> comparison, say, to C#? How many apps and libraries are written in Java, in
> C#, and in D?

Both are corporate pushes with established base and $BB of investements.  That's
why D is not competing with them.  But One Man Shows can be viable, too.  C++ is
one example, Python is another, etc.  Of course, it takes a lot longer that way,
approximately 10 years for each.

> 1) I know Java.
> 2) I don't know C#.
> 3) I don't know D.
> 4) I might be wrong.

Do you know C/C++?

> Therefore I post this message here. I'd like to know what you (the people who
> know D) say about it.