It's definitely convenient and served Java well in the sense that it always was a fairly easy language to get started with. Other languages make similar choices for the same reason; it trades off good enough against perfect. It wasn't a mistake but a deliberate choice. Also important to realize that this choice was made in the early nineties, 30 years ago.
But you are right that it's not free. Recent and upcoming changes to Java and the JVM are providing solutions in the form of e.g. value classes, records, etc.
Additionally, hotspot is doing lots of clever stuff under the hood where it makes sense. Finally, if you know what you are doing, Java provides plenty of ways to optimize things.
But you are right that it's not free. Recent and upcoming changes to Java and the JVM are providing solutions in the form of e.g. value classes, records, etc.
Additionally, hotspot is doing lots of clever stuff under the hood where it makes sense. Finally, if you know what you are doing, Java provides plenty of ways to optimize things.