Thanks Tobin, BDAttitude and clearedtocross.
Of course nobody suggested any FCC could be programmed in Java. That was an
example as to the basics of specifying code is all about managing exceptions and crosschecks. Sorry if it wasn't clear.
Here is a link to some research done in programming a 737 version some years ago.
http://www.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/~lyu/paper_pdf/00005291.pdf
Interesting to see what languages were tried, and what delays it takes for even some experimental version.
C, C++, Pascal and Ada are not uncommon.
And yes it appears the MCAS "fix" has been rushed and not really tested in the real world.
One wonders what would have happened if FAA was still under the influence of Boeing and had returned the airplane to flight...