languages as transport

Assembler=Walking
Forth=Skiing
C=Old single-speed bike, with solid design
C++=Multi-speed foldable Sport+utility bike with speedometer
Java=A cheap chinese moped
C#=Bike with electric assist
Haskell=Chair(with wheels, but you won't like to use them anyway)
JavaScript=A kid's bike with training wheels
Lisp=A tribe of hired midgets carrying you in various ways
Prolog=Electric Train
Basic=A Car

>>24
``Design intent'' and reality don't have shit to do with each other in Java's case. Sun's own JVMs aren't compatible between platforms.
Use Python if you want cross-platform support without recompiling.