[Mastonevich]

Java was written with C++ used as a base in many instances so they are very similar. For FIRST robots, you would find that you could port your code from one to the other fairly easily. The underlying WPI library has all of the same classes and functions.

While I am a huge fan of the command based robot, I believe that some new people may have trouble with it. It some instances it may be best to start with the simple or iterative template to get the feel for it, but then move to the command based.

I will say we had all new programmers this year, and we are using the command based robot. We had several programming mentors though that were there to help through the stumbling blocks. After it was all said and done, our students seem to love the advantages. Changing our code is a breeze now, where as without the command based robot it would take much longer. You can not get any easier coding for autonomous, the toughest part of coding a FIRST robot.

In answer to Java or C++, pick one and go. As far as FIRST robots go, neither will really be easier or better than the other in my opinion.