D vs VM-based platforms

[Mike Parker]

Tom wrote:
> You people can list a million of (mostly) theoretical benefits in having 
> a VM. Java/.NET apps will continue to be damn slow despite of these 
> statements (Java the most). That is the simple and self-evident truth. 
> Aside from, the idea of having a CPU core for the exclusive use of a VM 
> is a *total* waste. I don't trust in hardware solutions for software 
> problems.

I strongly disagree that Java and C# are 'damn slow'. Have you seen some 
of the games out there being developed in both languages? This is an 
argument that will last into infinity, I'm sure. There are people who 
use languages like Java and C# because they really do see benefits in 
doing so. The fact that you don't doesn't make it less true that they 
do. I've used Java for a variety of applications. I have a good feel for 
what I think it is and isn't suitable for. What is and isn't beneficial 
is highly subjective.

And really, someone who has never taken the time to roll their sleeves 
up and dive into a language can really only speculate about it. How many 
times have we seen C++ programmers dis D after glancing at the feature 
comparison list without ever writing a line of D code? When you have 
actually used a language in anger, you have a much better perspective as 
to what its strengths and weaknesses are. The benefits they see are not 
theoretical. To most Java programmers I know, speed is rarely a concern 
(though it does pop up occasionally, particularly with trig functions). 
If they weren't satisfied with the performance characteristics they 
wouldn't be using it. They are more often concerned with distribution, 
or the market penetration of a particular JRE version.

Java and .NET both have a place. The benefits users see from them may or 
may not be related to the existence of a VM, but those who do use the 
languages usually do see benefits of some kind. Otherwise they'd all be 
using C or C++.