Thanks for the information.

Well, I find Java a very interesting language, but the one-semester course which I am studying (and which I am supposed to teach soon) doesn't go into database applications, which would pressumably be beyond the scope of the course.

The code bloat, of course, is the same basic dilemma as assembler vs. compiler (among other similar situation) - some will prefer to finish their applications fast, some are more interested in efficiency and small size.

>I'm in a unique situation as far as Java goes. I have done very little actual coding with it, but oversee a Java group at our office. Over the last year, I've gotten a decent understanding of the language from reading a lot about it and working with the team.
>
>Here are a few of the items that come to mind with commercial distribution.
>With either VFP or Java, you have the runtimes to deal with. With Java its just the Virtual Machine - free to distribute.
>
>There is no real Visual design tool that comes with the Java SDK. You have to go to one of several third party tools, which most programmers hate because of code bloat. Consequently most programmers just write straight code. That's something that's hard for me to get past.
>
>There are some things that are faster to develop in Java, and some things that are slower. However, I would say that creating a basic desktop business app in Java would take even a skilled Java developer twice as long than a skilled VFP developer.
>
>Good luck. I think you'll enjoy it.
>
>-Matt