Java Language Vs Java Platform - The paradox :
Now it looks like Java is at crossroad both as language & as platform. There are 2 formidable arguments for both Java platform & as Java language. The companies like Thoughtworks are arguing that Java as programming language has reached it's dead end & dynamic languages JRuby & Groovy are the future. Bruce eckel echoed the same saying Scala is "the current best exit strategy for Java" & adding new features (Closures etc...) will make language complex, big & finally unusable.
Google has provided interesting twist to the above thinking with GWT, GData APIs & Android. Google is saying 'java as language is great, it's static typing, IDEs, large user base helps to create robust application even by mediocre programmers' but not the platform. So GWT is path-breaking technology in that sense as it compiles the java code to javascript code instead of bytecode & so the android.
So what's the truth & future?
Let's analyze how Java performed on it's promise:
Java as a language - My guess is it has done fairly good job here. Market is always right, now we have java programmers outnumbering any other language.
Java as library - If you look into sourceforge.net or any other common place producing software code Java is the #1 language inspite of great productivity provided by the new dynamic languages like Ruby, now we have superior set of libraries in java compared to any other language.
Java as security model - Done fairly good job.
Java as platform - Now we have profilers monitoring everything, Java is becoming full fledged operating system now.
Java has done fairly well on all these account & looks is going to influence in the future as well, we cannot stop Java from evolving & it has to add new features in order to remain competetive (generics, closures & so on...) & has to compete with C# which is adding new features at amazing speed.
Steve Yegge has written a brilliant article defending dynamic languages. Polygot programming (using multiple languages) is also becoming very popular among architects.