What is Java?

Did you know that top organizations consider Java as one of the fastest, safest, and most dependable programming languages? Java has rightfully retained its status as one of the top three programming languages around the globe over the years.

This versatile coding language will celebrate its 26th anniversary in 2023. Java is an object-oriented, general-purpose programming language with fewer implementation dependencies. 

It can be learned quickly and used as a computing system used for the development of applications. Java utilizes an English-similar syntax with few special characters. In the blog, we will learn all about what is Java, its significance, advantages, and more. 

What is Java’s Definition?

Sun Microsystems introduced Java in 1995 as a coding language and computation platform. Java is a quick, safe, and dependable program used to develop new, inventive goods and internet services for future generations. It is commonly used for Java software development in desktop computers, corporate networks, research supercomputers, mobile phones, and other devices. 

The definition of Java can be stated as that it is a sophisticated and adaptable programming language that is extensively used in the software development business, and it evolves and improves with each new edition. Java is well-known for its “write once, run anywhere” principle, which states that Java code may be turned into bytecode and executed on any platform that has a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) without recompilation.

Java remains one of the globe’s leading programming languages, and it is in considerable demand in the modern job market. Since last year, the number of work prospects for Java specialists has increased dramatically. You can pursue a Java course and grasp the fundamentals of this ever-growing programming language.

Java Basic Concepts: Code Illustration

Let’s examine a Java code example 

class Simple{  public static void main(String args[]){  System.out.println(“Hello Java”);    }  }

• This is a straightforward Java application that outputs “Hello Java” to the console. Let’s examine  the code:
• The program begins with the class declaration Simple, which declares the new class “Simple”.
• There is a main method within the class that serves as the program’s entry point. 
• This function is stated as” public static void main’(String args[]), which signifies that it is a public method (available from outside the class).
• Static (belongs to the class but is not an instance of the class), returns void (no value), and accepts a single String[] parameter named “args.”
• There is only one line of code in the main method: System. out.println(“Hello Java”);. 
• This line prints the text “Hello Java” using the System.out object.

What is a Java Platform?

While the majority of current Java applications mix the Java runtime and their application, numerous programs and even certain websites cannot run without having desktop Java enabled. 

Sun Microsystems’ Java platform was created by James Gosling, and Oracle Corporation ultimately acquired it. The Java Platform is an extensive set of technologies enabling programmers to efficiently construct and run Java programmers to efficiently construct and run Java programming applications. 

It contains an engine to execute code, and a compiler, alongside a collection of libraries. It is an arrangement of software and standards. Because the Java platform does not require any particular operating system, the Java programming language is also termed platform-independent.

The Java platform is made up of several different components.

• The Java programming language
• JDK – Java Development Kit
• JRE – Java Runtime Environment
• The Compiler for Java
• JVM – Java Virtual Machine

Aside from the above-mentioned major components, the Java platform also includes garbage collectors, and other vital elements and resources required to execute Java applications smoothly.

Types of Java Platforms

Java programming language platforms are classified into four types:

1. Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE): Java SE’s API provides the basic functionality of the Java programming language. It covers all of the classifications and object bases for high-level classes. Its applications include security, networking, GUI creation, database access, and XML parsing.

2. Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE): The Java EE platform provides an API and execution environment for creating and deploying exceptionally scalable, massive, multi-tiered, dependable, and trustworthy application networks.

3. Java Programming Language Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME): The Java ME platform includes an API as well as a tiny-footprint virtual machine that runs Java programming language programs on small devices such as mobile phones.

4. Java FX: JavaFX is an infrastructure for creating rich online applications that leverage an accessible user interface API. It makes use of hardware-accelerated visuals along with media engines. They allow Java to benefit from higher-performance consumers, a contemporary appearance and sense, and advanced APIs for interfacing with connected data sources.

Key Advantages and Features of Java

The following constitute a few of the most noteworthy features and benefits of the Java programming language.

• Java allows you to run many applications or parts of a software program simultaneously, enhancing efficiency.
• It enables you to group things that can be utilized in multiple projects, reducing your time.  
• Java follows the ‘write once, use anywhere’ approach, which means that once you’ve developed code, it can be reused on various assignments rather than having to start fresh.
• Once developed, all Java code is transformed to bytecode, which humans cannot read, shielding your work from untrustworthy sources and malware.
• It ranks as one of the simplest programming languages for beginners.
• It is intended for the development of object-oriented applications.
• Java is a multithreaded programming language with an automatic. memory administration.
• It is designed for the Internet’s distributed environment.
• Java is network-centric, hence, it promotes collaborative computing.

Significance of Java

Java remains a viable and essential programming language in today’s world. It defines how technological advances will unfold over the next two decades and will continue to improve in the years to come.

Java has shown to be beneficial to developers by allowing them to:

• Write code on a certain platform while operating it on almost any other.
• Make programs capable of running on an internet browser and connect to available web services.
• Create server-side programs for chat rooms, stores, surveys, and HTML form processing, among other tasks.
• Using the Java programming language, you can combine programs or services to develop highly tailored applications and solutions.

Various Java Versions

Below is a quick timeline of all Java versions, along with their release dates.

Java Version	Release Date
JDK Alpha and Beta	1995
JDK 1.0	23rd Jan 1996
JDK 1.1	19th Feb 1997
J2SE 1.2	8th Dec 1998
J2SE 1.3	8th May 2000
J2SE 1.4	6th Feb 2002
J2SE 5.0	30th Sep 2004
Java SE 6	11th Dec 2006
Java SE 7	28th July 2011
Java SE 8	18th Mar 2014
Java SE 9	21st Sep 2017
Java SE 10	20th Mar 2018
JAVA SE 11	25th Sep 2018
JAVA SE 12	19th Mar 2019
JAVA SE 13	17th Sep 2019
JAVA SE 14	17th Mar 2020
JAVA SE 15	15th Sep 2020 (latest Java Version)

What Makes Java so Popular?

The explanation is mostly found in Java’s extensive testing, upgrading, and constancy of delivery in the past. A devoted community of Java programmers, designers, and enthusiasts has examined, polished, expanded, and validated Java. Despite its nearly two-decade-old roots, Java has developed steadily throughout the years.

The primary strength of Java is its simplicity of writing and executing. We can efficiently run the Java-based application anywhere and at any time using this programming language.

Some of the primary reasons for Java’s popularity are as follows:

• We can locate Java APIs and Java libraries that can accomplish practically everything.
• GUI technologies outperform the Swing libraries and Abstraction Window Framework in Java.
• JDBC, or Java Database Connectivity, permits database interactions.
• It provides access to a large network of countless Java developers who are prompt and skilled at solving challenges.
• The Java programming language proves its reliability by delivering some of the finest and most successful real-world Java applications.

Conclusion

Java is a system-independent programming language that adheres to the WORA, Write Once, Run Anywhere concept, the main qualities of Java basic languages  make it the most popular programming language.