Java

Java

Java is defined as an object-oriented language similar to C++, but simplified to eliminate language features that cause common programming errors. The source code files (files with a .java extension) are compiled into a format called bytecode (files with a .class extension), which can then be executed by a Java interpreter. Compiled Java code can run on most computers because Java interpreters and runtime environments, known as Java Virtual Machines (VMs), exist for most operating systems, including UNIX, the Macintosh OS, and Windows. Bytecode can also be converted directly into machine language instructions by a just-in-time compiler (JIT). In 2007, most Java technologies were released under the GNU General Public License.

Where is java being used?

Earlier Java was only used to design and program small computing devices, but it was later adopted as one of the platform-independent programming languages, and now according to Sun, 3 billion devices run Java.

Java is one of the most important programming languages in today's IT industries.

• JSP - In Java, JSP (Java Server Pages) is used to create dynamic web pages, such as in PHP and ASP.

• Applets - Applets are another type of Java programs that are implemented on Internet browsers and are always run as part of a web document.

• J2EE - Java 2 Enterprise Edition is a platform-independent environment that is a set of different protocols and APIs and is used by various organizations to transfer data between each other.

• JavaBeans - This is a set of reusable software components that can be easily used to create new and advanced applications.

• Mobile - In addition to the above technology, Java is widely used in mobile devices nowadays, many types of games and applications are being made in Java.

Features of java:

• Object-Oriented - Java supports the features of object-oriented programming. Its object model is simple and easy to expand.

• Platform independent - C and C++ are platform dependency languages hence the application programs written in one Operating system cannot run in any other Operating system, but in platform independence language like Java application programs written in one Operating system can able to run on any Operating system.

• Simple - Java has included many features of C / C ++, which makes it easy to understand.

• Secure - Java provides a wide range of protection from viruses and malicious programs.  It ensures that there will be no damage and no security will be broken.

• Portable - Java provides us the concept of portability. Running the same program with Java on different platforms is possible.

• Robust - During the development of the program, it helps us to find possible mistakes as soon as possible.

• Multi-threaded - The multithreading programming feature in Java allows you to write a program that performs several different tasks simultaneously.

• Distributed - Java is designed for distributed Internet environments as it manages the TCP/IP protocol.

Types of Java Applications

There are mainly 4 types of applications that can be created using java programming:

• Web Application - Java is used to create server-side web applications. Currently, Servlet, JSP, Struts, JSF, etc. technologies are used.

• Standalone Application - It is also known as the desktop application or window-based application. An application that we need to install on every machine or server such as media player, antivirus, etc. AWT and Swing are used in java for creating standalone applications.

• Enterprise Application - An application that is distributed in nature, such as banking applications, etc. It has the advantage of the high-level security, load balancing, and clustering. In Java, EJB is used for creating enterprise applications.

• Mobile Application - Java is used to create application software for mobile devices. Currently, Java ME is used for building applications for small devices, and also Java is a programming language for Google Android application development.

Java Platforms / Editions

There are 4 platforms or editions of Java:

1) Java SE (Java Standard Edition)

It is a java programming platform. It includes Java programming APIs such as java.lang, java.io, java.net, java.util, java.sql, java.math etc. It includes core topics like OOPs, String, Regex, Exception, Inner classes, Multithreading, I/O Stream, Networking, AWT, Swing, Reflection, Collection etc.

2) Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition)

It is an enterprise platform which is mainly used to develop web and enterprise applications. It is built on the top of Java SE platform. It includes topics like Servlet, JSP, Web Services, EJB, JPA etc.

3) Java ME (Java Micro Edition)

It is a micro platform which is mainly used to develop mobile applications.

4) JavaFx

It is used to develop rich internet applications. It uses light-weight user interface API.