IDE, debuggers, bytecode libraries, build systems, profilers, all of them had to deal with “up to date Java implementations”. Which hurts adoption.
Not just because of this issue, but because of tons of other mistakes made by Oracle: users shouted, Oracle ignored.
The net result is inertia is high, but Java is stable declining. Existing projects continue to be developed in Java, new projects often choose something else.
Java 7 byte code was a big mistake. People complained but Oracle didn’t listen. As always.
http://chrononsystems.com/blog/java-7-design-flaw-leads-to-h...