** Java is easy to learn:Java was designed to be easy to use and is therefore easy to write, compile, debug, and learn than other programming languages.
** Java is object-oriented: This allows you to create modular programs and reusable code.
** Java is platform-independent: ability to move easily from one computer system to another, Java succeeds at this by being platform-independent at both the source and binary levels.
*** Java is secure.
I think there are a lot reasons, I can't mention all but some of those are:1. Pure Object oriented.2. Free to use3. Fully customizable (or extendable)4. Biggest community so a lot of help.5. Secure and great Exception Handling6. Write once run anywhere7. OpenSource8. Simple grammar9. Standard APIs10. Performance (though C is fast but Compiled Java bytecode runs at native speed just like the CLI)11. safe semantics12. Vast array of3rd party libraries.13. you need a lifespan to go through whole documentation14. Excellent specification15. Managed memory.16. Native threads.17. Choice - implemented by multiple vendors.
seems enough for now, I hate typing a lot (another benefit of Java :P )
It is not about the java language itself, it is about java echosystem.
Java is backed by millions of developers, thousands of framewroks (commercial and open source). Java technology is mature and supported by gaint software companies ( Oracle, IBM, Google, etc...)
With java platform you have the freedom to deploy to any HW and OS.
Java is used heavely is enterpise application development and with Android OS Java is depolyed to millions of smart phones.
My recommendation is to know your application requirments and decide on the best tools available to satisfy these requirements
