Java or C++

[Phoenix Spud]

Our team has used all three programming languages since we started in 2008.

C++ was ok, but there were quite a few bugs and the documentation was really bad. We switched to LabView last year because one of the teams we partner with recommended it, but they switched to Java that year.

This year we had a large intake of new software mentors (Google became one of our sponsors...) and students so we revisited what language to use. After our experiences with the other two, we landed on Java. Our code this year was the best we've ever had, and I think we'll be a "Java team" for awhile now.

If there are a lot of teams in your area who use Java, switching might be a good choice so you can draw on their expertise.