Readability goes along with 'toolability'. The fact that tools can 'understand' Java code and therefore can correctly make so many kinds of automated changes to the source code is a major sign of readability. If it is not possible to make tools that can do precise and sophisticated manipulations of the source code, then chances are that humans cannot understand it easily.

As an example of what I mean by 'toolable'. When I rename a variable in Java, every instance of that variable throughout the entire project are changed. This is not a dumb 'search and replace'. It is a precise change made by tools that use most of the Java compiler front end in order to make these changes. Similarly if I rename a method, the change is precisely made throughout the source code. It doesn't matter if there is a variable, or a class or even another method elsewhere with the same name, there can be no possible confusion. Just as the compiler has no confusion about what identifier 'foo' in some line of code refers to, the renaming and refactoring processes are equally precise. That is what is meant by toolable.

Digital Convergence, the company that brought us our beloved ::Cue::Cats, also had a technology that could capture an audio-encoded link from your computer's microphone port.

Man I miss the oughts... I lived in a house back then...

Not only do you have to re-learn basic elements every decade, you might have to rewrite very old code to work on current systems.

The people who make these incompatible changes vastly underestimate the cost of such incompatibilities.

The sheer amount of working Java code is not only why the language will stay around for a long time, but economically represents a very large amount of wealth.

final T up = (T) throwable;
throw up;

> Engineers have a code of ethics

The only one that I know of is: If it ain't broke, then fix it 'till it is.

While they are at it, can they ban the reading of subversive books such as Applied Cryptography? I hear public book burnings were once popular. Perhaps they should make a comeback.

For extra credit, please also ban independent thought.

Another missing option is a combination of existing options:

I am a troll and often get modded up 1 or 2 and sometimes to +5.

wow, those are some pretty tall towers.

You mean brainwashing.

> "When was the last time you used a piece of chalk to express yourself?" De Cicco Remu, a former teacher, asked

It was quite a long time ago, but I still remember it. I expressed myself by throwing the chalk at the teacher.

DHI? Dick Heads Incorporated?

That's pretty much what they do now, isn't it ?

Robert'); DROP TABLE Terrorists;--