Java is the first programming language ever to make the front page of the Wall Street Journal. For programming language researchers who generally languish in obscurity, this event alone is causefor celebration. More importantly, Java has stirred a debate about the future of programming technology.

In this talk, I will

• describe the vision embodied in the slogan ``write once; run anywhere'' underlying Java;
• identify the salient technical features of the Java computing platform;
• discuss the inherent advantages and disadvantages of this platform in comparison with established platforms such as C++/Windows;
• assess the current status of Java technology; and
• report on Java's growing impact on computing education.