Java is bad for you. If you’re an engineer.
I’m thoroughly of the opinion that Java as a language for students that are studying computer science is a bad idea. Maybe it’s good to learn and explore it, but that should be accompanied by rigorous study of lower level languages and algorithms. I think one should leave the Java to the chemists and various other scientists that don’t need the power of lower level languages, and can benefit from the design and the ease of use of Java. Otherwise I think we end up crippling a good majority of the computer science students. Slashdot has been exploring something similar from various professors. Followup On Java As “Damaging” To Students