But not all machines (specifically smaller ones like appliances) have java virtual machine on it. For java, Sun Microsystems has to make the virtual machine for it to run on. All C++ needs is for someone to make a compiler. Saying that C++ isn't that portable proves you don't know much about C++. I said it once I will say it again, almost all major software is made in C/++. There is a reason and I don't think its because java is better at low level programming. Here is an incomplete list of programs make in C++ C++ Applications. You might be interested in seeing what Sun uses C++ for.

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