There is no right answer for this one. My team has programmed in Java for most of its past, but I have a touch of experience with LabVIEW
LabVIEW Pros:
- Visual language (could be a con)
- More friendly for image processing
- Custom Dashboard, simulator, etc.
Cons:
- Confusing for many with programming experience
- You have to read a lot for WPILibs
Java Pros:
- Many already know it
- Easier to debug
- More friendly for basic commands
- Cleaner code
Cons:
- Intimidating
- Fewer dash features (but you can always make it yourself)
- You have to read a lot for WPILibs
Make your choice; the learning curve for Java is less IMHO, but see what matters to your team and make an informed decision before you start developing. Oh, and don't forget version control (SVN, GIT, etc.). It is vital unless you're a perfect programmer (haven't met one yet
)