java to RPG problem

 >> You DON'T think Java would have been better if its syntax weren't based
on that of C?!? You DON'T think Java would have been better if it were based
on, say, Object
PL/I?

Much as I dislike C syntax (and therefore much of the worst of Java) I think
we need to define the word "better" in this context.

Would it have been a "better" language technically - Yes - undoubtedly.  It
is difficult to think of a general purpose language with worse syntax than
C.

Would it have been "better" in the sense of gaining more wide-spread
acceptance? No way.  In my opinion it would be dead by now and this
discussion would be taking place in the Python forum or someplace.  I think
it is only _because_ it is so similar to C that it was picked up so quickly.
If it had been based on PL/I it would have had the level of acceptance of
PL/I .......

Jon Paris
Partner400