Java is a popular programming language used to build mobile apps, desktop apps, web apps, games, and scientific-related applications. It is a class-based, secured, concurrent, general-purpose, and object-oriented programming language that makes it simple and easy to develop an application for beginners and professionals. It was launched by Sun Microsystems in 1995 and it runs on all major platforms as it is a high-level programming language. We provide here a comprehensive understanding with real-time examples in our Java Tutorial for the benefit of all java aspirants.
Why Java?
Java is the trending programming language that brings a promising career for students to become software developers in top companies. It has the following advantages for learners who learn with hands-on exposure.
- OOPs–based: Java is an object-oriented programming language and it can be extended limitlessly since everything in java is based on an object.
- Platform Independent: JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is the reason for Java to “Write Once Run Anywhere” feature. Java programs and projects developed in one operating system can be executed in any operating system. It supports all platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and UNIX.
- Easy to learn: Java has an easy learning curve as it has a simple syntax and all the basic concepts are understandable by beginners which makes them master core concepts quickly.
- Robust and Secure: Java can handle errors during the execution and manage incorrect input data efficiently. It utilizes strong memory management. Java is a very secure programming language to develop virus-free and tamper-free applications with authentication facilities through public-key encryption.
- Architecture-Neutral: Java has a strong compiler that generates an architectural-neutral object file format. It provides the feature to execute the project on many processors along with the presence of the Java Runtime System.
- Portable: Java is highly portable as it is architecture-neutral and has no implementation-dependent aspects. The compiler of Java is written in ANSI C.
Applications of Java Programming
Nearly 3 Billion devices are running with Java according to the report of Sun Microsystems. It is used as desktop applications such as Acrobat Reader, Antivirus Software, Media Players, and Web applications like irctc.in, Enterprise applications like the banking process, numerous mobile applications, embedded system applications, smart card processing, robotics, and game applications. It is categorized into the following four major types.
- Standalone Applications: Desktop and Window-based applications are called Standalone applications and it requires to be installed on every individual machine. AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) and Swing Concepts of Java are used to develop standalone applications.
- Web Applications: Websites and web applications are developed in Java for creating server-side concepts and dynamic pages. Java concepts such as JSP (Java Server Page), Servlet, Spring, Struts, JSF (Java Server Faces), and Hibernate are implemented to develop web applications.
- Enterprise Applications: Enterprise applications are developed to satisfy the requirements of large organizations such as schools, banks, businesses, internet-based groups, clubs, government projects, and charities. These applications have high-level security, clustering, and load-balancing features to provide the best service for the customers. EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) of Java is used to build highly scalable and robust enterprise-level applications.
- Mobile Applications: Applications that are used in mobile devices are called mobile applications. Android and Java ME (Micro Edition) are used to create mobile-based applications.
Major Platforms / Editions of Java
There are four major platforms or editions of the Java Programming Language
Java SE (Java Standard Edition)
This is the popular edition that includes APIs like java.lang, java.net, java.sql, java.io, and java. math, java.util, and so on. It consists of core java concepts such as OOPs, RegEx, Inner classes, String, Multithreading, AWT, Swing, Networking, I/O Streams, Collection, Exception, Reflection, and so on. Get Java Training in Chennai
Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition)
This is used for developing enterprise-level applications and it is built on top of SE Edition. It consists of JSP, EJB, Web Services, Servlet, JPA, and so on. J2EEE (Java Enterprise Edition Environment) is the platform that provides features and specifications to extend Java SE concepts to develop distributed computing and web services.
Java ME (Java Micro Edition)
It is used for developing mobile applications and embedded applications along with IoT device development. It provides a flexible platform with robust and secure features for developing efficient mobile, embedded, and IoT applications like micro-controllers, gateways, personal digital assistants, TV set-top boxes, mobile phones, printers, sensors, etc.
Java FX
JavaFX is the popular and trending platform for creating rich internet and desktop applications with special effects. It contains the features of GUI and Swing to run any systems and devices with the same effects. It can be implemented for developing applications with animations, event delivery mechanisms, render tree interface, geometry and shapes, and logging support.
Common Terms and Its Applications
- JVM: Java Virtual Machine is an abstract machine that doesn’t physically exist and provides a runtime environment for the Java bytecode to be executed. It is also used to run programs that are written in any other language and compiled in Java ByteCode. It is platform-independent and has three notions such as specification, instance, and implementation. JVM performs various tasks such as Loads code, verifying code, executing code, and Runtime Environment.
- JRE: Java Runtime Environment is a collection of software tools used to develop java applications with JVM implementations. It exists physically and consists of numerous libraries and files to be used by JVM.
- JDK: Java Development Kit is a software development environment used for developing applications and applets in Java. It contains JRE and development tools. It physically exists and it includes JDK as a private JVM, interpreter, loader (java), compiler (javac), an archiver (jar), and document generator (Javadoc). These all concepts are used to develop full-fledged Java applications.
History of Java
Java Programming Language was developed by James Gosling and released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It was first named Oak to indicate a tree then later changed to the name “Java” to indicate a coffee bean. It was recognized as one of the top ten products of 1995 by Time Magazine as it came as the “Write Once, Run Anywhere” feature. Java has been available as open-source software by Sun Microsystems since 2007. Java updates its features in the following versions that come every year and the latest stable version is Java SE 15 released in September 2020.
Prerequisites for learning Java
The learner should have a computer system with Windows XP 7 or above or Linux 7.1 with JDK 8 to learn Java Programming Language. Microsoft Notepad or any other text editor will be used for writing codes. The student who has basic knowledge of computer systems and OOPs concepts can easily learn core Java Concepts to Java Advanced techniques through this tutorial along with practical experiences as we provide a complete understanding of GUI, Networking, and Web Application Development.
Conclusion
The majority of the technology we use every day is now linked to Java. The popularity of the Java programming language among businesses and the level of employment demand are both quite high. Join our Software and IT Training Institute in Chennai if you wish to study the language and launch a career in it.
