What is Java
What is Java Definition, Meaning & Features
If your dream is to become a good programmer and developer, then unfortunately, it can be difficult for you to choose one among so many programming languages. So which computer language is the best from which it can be started. It is one of the best computer languages ever created. In this post we will know what is Java? And how to learn Java language.
The most important thing about Java Programming language is that it can be used to create everything from web applications to desktop and mobile apps. Java was explicitly designed for use in the distributed environment of the Internet. According to Oracle, Java runs in about 1 billion computers and 3 billion phones worldwide.
It is based on C and C++ syntax. It is also a popular programming language because of this. Because the code written in it can run in any other platform. In the next post, we will know in detail about what is Java Programming (Introduction of Java in Hindi). Apart from this, the basics of Java language will also be covered. So let’s first understand what is Java.
Topics
- What is Java Where is Java Programming Used?
- history of java
- Components of the Java Programming Language
- how to learn java
- Types of Java Programs
- What is Core Java
- Features of Java Language
- Conclusion
What is Java
Java is a General Purpose Programming Language, which was developed by Sun Microsystems. It is used to build desktop and mobile applications. It is completely based on Object Oriented Programming. C++ and Java are very similar to each other, yet Java has more advanced and simple features.
Java programming works on its purpose of “write once, run anywhere” (WORA). That is, it has the capability to reuse the code once written. This platform is also independent, that is, compiled java code can run in all operating systems (OS). To achieve this situation, its program is compiled into Bytecode.
We save a Java file (which contains user-written code) in the .java extension. If you understand the basics of OOP concept then it is very easy to learn. Java is also more secure in comparison to other programming languages. It has emerged as a popular programming language in the last several years on the basis of many of its best features.
Where is Java Programming Used
Today Java is a widely used computer language. There are many such fields where it is used. For example, it has been used in making from a scientific application to financial applications. The best games like Minecraft have been programmed in Java itself. So let’s see where Java is used.
It is used a lot in developing web applications. Through technologies such as Servlets, Struts, and JSPs, Java provides better support for creating these web applications. Due to the easy and secure of this programming language, we are able to easily develop applications related to many important fields like: government, healthcare, insurance, education and defense department.
Desktop Application
Every type of desktop application can be easily developed by it. Various types of APIs (Application Program Interface) such as Windowing Toolkit (AWT), Swing and JavaFX are used to create them. It has got the status of a great programming language by many developers for making desktop application.
Mobile Application
Java Micro Edition is a popular cross-platform framework that is used to build applications that run on all mobile devices. Most of the phones today support Android OS. In the same Java, Android software development kit and other kits are used for this. Due to this, it has officially got the title of best programming language for mobile app development.
Enterprise Application
Because it is more secure and powerful than other languages, it is seen as the first choice in enterprise application development. Java enterprise edition is a great platform that provides API and runtime environment for scripting and runtime enterprise software. Apart from this, it also proved to be the backbone for various types of banking applications. Oracle says that Java is being run in about 97% of enterprise computers.
Scientific Application
Most developers prefer Java language to develop a scientific application. The main reason for this is that Java is more secure, portable and maintainable. Also, it comes with better high-level concurrency tools as compared to C and C++. Some of the most powerful applications like MATLAB have been programmed in it. Especially the coding of software designed for scientific calculations and mathematical operations is in it.
Gaming Application
Java is a better language to develop 2D games. There are many frameworks and engines available in this, which we can use with it. Although C, C # and C ++ are considered better than this for game development. If you play Minecraft, its program is also written in Java itself. So programmers for web development do not have the same opinion about it.
Embedded Systems
Embedded Systems is called that component of a large system which performs a dedicated task in the system. This can be anything from a chip to specialized computers. For example, SIM cards, Blu-ray disk players, utility meters and televisions use this Embedded java technology. However, today it is used to develop all kinds of applications. But originally it was developed for embedded devices only.
Big Data Technologies
If you do not know what Big Data is, then it is about processing huge data and providing insights to the business. An open source framework (Hadoop) related to Big Data has been programmed in it. That is why Java is suggested for processing big data.
Apart from this, it is also used well in many different fields. As an object-oriented programming, it is a better language. OOP is a useful skill as it handles the complexity of real world applications very well. It is easy for a programmer to think from the terms of class and objects too.
History of java
In 1991, a group of engineers from Sun Microsystems led by James Gosling decided that they would develop a programming language for consumer devices. He named it Green Project. The aim of this project was to build a distributed system that would allow consumer electronic devices to communicate with each other.
However, then C ++ was kept as the first choice. Now because CPU flexibility was a big demand for this process. So he thought of expanding to C++. But they soon understood that in spite of its expansion it would not be enough. C++ was a really complex language then. After all this, a new programming language “Oak” was born. It was named by James Gosling after the tree Oak as seen from his office window.
Earlier it was named Greentalk and then its file extension was .gt. In 1995 its name was changed to Oak and then it was renamed as Java. Because this name was already trademarked by Oak Technology. The intention behind developing such a language was to create a programming language that is simple, robust, portable, platform-independent, secure, multi-threaded, object-oriented, interpreted and dynamic.
By the way, Java was developed for digital devices like set-top boxes and television etc. But due to its excellent features, soon it was also used for Internet programming and WWW-based applications. To prove this language better, he developed a web browser Hotjava which is capable of running mini java applications (Applets).
In 1995, when Sun Microsystems released the initial Java Development Kit (JDK) and Hotjava. After which it came out as a popular programming language. It was acquired by Oracle in 2009. So far many Java versions have been released, let’s take a look at their history.
Versions >> Release Date
JDK Beta>> 1995
JDK 1.0 >> 1996
JDK 1.1 >> 1997
J2SE 1.2 >> 1998
J2SE 1.3 >>2000
J2SE 1.4 >>2002
J2SE 5.0 >>2004
JAVA SE 6 >>2006
JAVA SE 7 >>2011
JAVA SE 8 >>2014
JAVA SE 9 >>2017
JAVA SE 10 >>2018
Components of the Java Programming Language
It is very important for a developer to understand these components of Java. Because only by understanding the architecture of programming, you can master it. Whenever we write a program, it is in human readable language which is called source code. That is, we can understand that code but no computing device can read it. It can read only machine code or machine language.
So for the machine to understand the source code written by us, it needs to be converted into machine language. For this there is a complete process of compilation and interpretation in Java. First the written code is converted into Bytecode, all this is done by using javac compiler.
After that the process of converting this code into machine readable language starts. In which these three components have an important role:
Java Virtual Machine
JVM is the platform that provides a runtime environment to execute the Java program. This is a part of JRE. Which converts bytecode into machine code. To convert the bytecode into machine language, JVM will first load it, verify and then execute it.
Java Runtime Environment
JRE is a software that controls the Java class libraries, Java class loader and JVM. You can also call it a set of software, which is useful in the development of Java applications. It is a part of JDK. Although you have to download it separately.
Java Development Kit
JDK is a package of tools with the help of which we are able to develop Java based software. Often programmers get confused about these two technologies JRE and JDK. Understand this, JDK provides us those tools so that we can create the program. Whereas JRE provides those tools so that the program can be run. So JDK contains all other tools including JRE, loader, compiler, archiver etc. is included.
How to learn java
There is no doubt that it is one of the most famous languages today. There is a lot of demand for Java developers in the industry. The most important thing is that it is easy to learn because its syntax is easy in English. So if you have decided that you want to learn Java, then you can start it by following the guidance given by us.
1 Install Basic Tools
You have to install Java Development Kit in your computer. If the process is difficult, then you can read the installation instructions from there. This is a package which includes JRE and various useful tools which help us to develop Java applications.
You can download Notepad++ for Java Editors. This is a simple text editor for writing Java programs.
Java IDE is a software application that provides many facilities to the programmer for software development. For this you can download one of Eclipse IDE and NetBeans IDE.
2 Start Learning Java
The tips given below will help you a lot in learning it.
- To start programming language, first of all you should understand its basics. Unless you understand its fundamentals, you will not be able to move forward in it.
- To improve coding skills, you have to practice by taking out time daily. So keep practicing as much as you learn.
- Take help from other developers. You cannot learn everything by yourself, so stay in touch with a mentor who can solve your problems.
- Read blogs related to Java Programming. This will give you extra knowledge about it, which will help a lot in improving your skills.
- It may take you several weeks, months and even years to master coding. For this, keep patient, slowly but one day you will definitely reach your destination.
Types of Java Programs
There are many types of Java programs, of which the main one is.
Stand-alone applications: These are programs that work offline and are designed to perform a certain task. They do not require any network connections to run in the computer. These are run directly by the interpreter. These programs are not embedded with HTML and other languages. You must also sometimes use stand-alone applications written in Java such as text editors and word processors.
Applet: is a Java program that can be embedded with HTML. Applets are used to make a web site more dynamic and entertaining. These programs are executed with the help of a Java-enabled web browser. The <applet> or <object> tag is used to embed the Applet program in the HTML page. Usually it provides some such features for web applications which cannot be implemented by HTML.
Servlets: This is a Java class that is used to extend or extend the capabilities of servers. Although Servlets can respond to any type of request, they are usually used to extend applications hosted by web servers. Apart from this, it is also a web component which is deployed in the server to create dynamic web pages.
What is Core Java
Actually there is no description of Core Java anywhere because it is a term that Sun Microsystems used to better describe Java Standard Edition. This is the most basic version, because it set the foundation of the rest of the versions. In simple language, it refers to the subset of Java SE technologies.
It includes general purpose APIs and special purpose APIs of many verities. Because this is the standard version, in this you will get to see the basic fundamentals of the language. That’s why when you hear Core Java, do not think of it as different, but it was the earliest version of Java. After this several Java versions were released including:
Java Enterprise Edition
Java Micro Edition
Java Card
JavaFX
PersonalJava
Features of Java
It is a widely used programming language today. It has become a popular language only on the basis of its best features. So let’s go through some of its features.
1) The first feature is that Java is a simple language. It is quite easy to write, compile and debug its program as compared to other languages.
2) It is based on object-oriented programming. This means that everything in it is seen as an object.
3) Another feature is that it is Platform Independent. That is, its program can be run in any platform.
4) It is seen as the most secure language. By which developers are able to develop a virus free system.
5) Due to strong memory management, automatic garbage collection and avoiding many security problems, it is rated as Robust.
6) Its Architecture is neutral. That is, it is easy to interpret the java program in any machine.
7) It is completely portable i.e. its bytecode can be carried in any platform.
8) It has the feature of multi-threading. That is, through this you can write such programs which will be able to perform multi task at a time.
9) It is distributed language. With which we can create programs that run on computer networks.
10) Java is a mature language, so it is more stable and predictable. Java class library provides us the facility of cross-platform development.
11) It has a large number of active user community and support available.
12) Due to its excellent tools, it provides an integrated development environment to the programmers.
13) It has a great collection of open source libraries. So that it can be used anywhere.
14) A great feature is that Java language is absolutely free, that is, you can use all its features.
Conclusion
The main topic of this post was What is Java and How to Learn Java Language? Under which we tried to explain to you the basics of this computer language. A programmer can learn any programming language only if he pays attention to the basics of the language. If you have read the post carefully then it will be easy for you to choose a programming language.
So hopefully, in this post you must have understood well what is Java? (What is Java). If you have any question or suggestion related to this then please let us know by commenting below. If you want, you can also share it with your classmates on social media like Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter.