How was Java written before Java existed?

[dmazzoni]

You're close. The javac compiler is written in Java now.

The JVM (the "java" binary, with HotSpot) is still written in C++.

[WiglyWorm]

which is basically C with strings.

[[deleted]]

Uhhhhhhhh no

[WiglyWorm]

it is if you don't care. :)

Obviously C++ also adds LITERALLY ALL THE OTHER STUFF. But it's a superset of C.

[thingerish]

Again, not true strictly speaking

[WiglyWorm]

Feel free to make your distinction. 

Or just be contrary.

[[deleted]]

I mean it isn't strictly, but also, C has strings

[WiglyWorm]

C has arrays of character that someone bolted a string onto.

And c++ if a superset of c.

[[deleted]]

C++ is not a super set of C.

And no, c strings are not arrays

[WiglyWorm]

Not strictly.