[charles-salvia]

I agree - I think for the most part, Java is a simple language that has straightforward C-like syntax. The main problem is specifically the boiler plate class and static main method you need to blurt out just to get anything even compiling. (Also the inevitable CLASSPATH errors that are an initiation rite for using Java).

This is a direct result of the design decision to enforce an OO class structure on all Java programs. You literally can't write any code that isn't somehow part of a "class" (an OO concept that, as an intro CS student, you haven't even learned yet).