Java == simpler, slower, more portable, easier to learn, difficult to mess up, higher level
C++ == extremely complex, portable-ish (if you stick to ansi standards), difficult to learn, easier to mess up, lower level

Java is more like elegant C++ than "crippled C++". You don't have to do memory management. You can't override operators. There's not as much of a kludgey feel to it. C++ is widely used for systems programming (though c is more widely used in unix environments), C++ lets you develop bad habits(i.e. program in an unstructured, non-object orientated way). However, C++ does tend to be faster.

Expect to spend 2 years to learn C++ properly. 6 months or so for Java.

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Don't Stand on your head - you'll get footprints in your hair. http://www.charlieharvey.org.uk