Java is a programming language used for creating software that makes it compatible with many different operating environments. It is a two-stage programming language, meaning that it is a compiled language and an interpreted one. However, it differs from most other compiled languages because it does not compile directly to an executable file.
In Java, the code is first compiled and then translated into a binary form called Java Byte Code. Finally, the JBC gets compiled and interpreted into the native language needed to run in the target operating environment. This contrasting behavior is a significant benefit for developers as it means they can write code once and run it anywhere.
This feature became a popular concept, highly sought after by developers; it is known as the “Write Once, Run Anywhere” (WORA) philosophy. The WORA philosophy was brought to popularity as Sun Microsystems' slogan in 1995.
The birth of Java happened in 1991 when James Gosling and his team began work on creating the language at Sun Microsystems. Shortly after, the team switched their focus to developing the language for the newest niche market known as the World Wide Web. By 1995, Java was released to the public for use in various applications, from the internet to computer programming.
Java stood alone as a programming language because it handles code translation differently than other languages. Unlike other programming languages, it goes through two major steps before running in its environment. Most programming languages only translate one time, either by compiling the code or interpreting it. This difference made a significant impact on the rapid growth and popularity of the language.
Java began as a project for connecting systems, such as connecting office devices on a network and creating interactive television. However, the switch to using Java for the internet came on a heel-turn and led to Java taking the lead as the number one programming language for the interactive web or — web 2.0 as developers commonly refer to it in discussions.
JavaScript served the same purpose and, at first, was not very popular; however, as a marketing ploy to build on the popularity of Java, the language took the name JavaScript. This marketing ploy came after testing out several other names first, and the change to JavaScript helped push its popularity and growth.
With this new up-and-comer on the scene, Java applets slowly began to lose their hold on the interactive web. Finally, after many years, Oracle announced in 2016 that they planned to depreciate Java applets in their next release of Java (JRE 9). As a result, in 2019, support for Java applets ended, and Oracle excluded it from the release of JRE (11).
With this decision, the landscape for Java changed dramatically from one that focused primarily on the interactive web to other areas of interest. Of course, the language had already been in use elsewhere, but the discontinuation of Java applets meant that the language grew in popularity for other technologies and industries.
We have discussed Java’s history through the years and where it is today. Now let’s look at the current role it plays in today's technology and some of the industries that use it, and what that means for you.
Java is still very popular and has expanded its reach into several industries. Today Java is used for programming complex technologies from mobile applications to AI programming and more. For the rest of this section, we will dive into the various fields of technology that use Java as a programming language.
Due to its nature, the Java language is an excellent choice for building complex applications with multiple interfaces. It also works well as a programming language for mobile applications because it works great for connecting different devices.
Artificial Intelligence is a type of software designed to handle complexly automated calculations. AI software is used in various industries such as credit companies, banking, Amazon’s Echo, and other smart devices.
Big data is an industry that works with tracking and reporting data for various needs. Many companies use data analytics to track users, contacts, products, sales, and more. Java also makes it easy to create visualizations to represent this data in a way that is easy to understand and digest.
Because of the compile and interpret nature, any software written in Java can be quickly run on any device with a Java Virtual Machine installed on it. This ability is a significant reason why Java is still prevalent in multiple industries and why you can rest assured that Java is here to stay.
Blockchain sciences have grown in popularity over the years, thanks largely to the emergence of cryptocurrencies. But blockchain technology is not used exclusively for cryptocurrencies; in fact, its first proposed use was to track timestamps on scientific papers.
Internet of things, a term that feels ambiguous at the very least, describes the connection of physical devices that need to communicate and share data. The need for devices to communicate has grown and been accomplished in various ways. An example of this that underlines the necessity of device connection is airplanes and traffic controllers.
It is essential to keep in mind that over the years, while a lot has changed, Java has never stopped being a staple in the web development industry. It is still commonly used in the web development industry for database management and other uses.
Due to naming similarities, there has been a bit of confusion between Java and JavaScript over the years. The fact, however, is that they are as different as the words ham and hamster. They only have one or two similarities: they are both used for programming software, and they both have a name consisting of the word Java.
Outside of those two points, the truth is both languages are very different, with one that stands out above the rest. JavaScript is an interpreted language only, whereas Java is a language that first gets compiled and then interpreted into a working executable file. This separation may seem like an insignificant difference, but the truth is that it changes the way programmers handle the task of development.
Java has a few unique features that are important to consider when going down the rabbit hole that is the world of Java programming. Before wrapping up this post, let’s look at some of the main features and discuss how they affect you and your programming needs.
Java tends to be easier to use than many languages it is similar to, as it takes a simplistic approach to handle pointers and operator overloading.
Java tends to be easier to use than many languages it is similar to, as it takes a simplistic approach to handle pointers and operator overloading.
Java is not platform-dependent; developers can write code once and run it anywhere needed.
Everything in Java is considered to be an object. This means that everything has its behavior and or state and adds structure to the language.
The Java language has two stages in its execution process. First, it is compiled and then interpreted into a format usable by its target operating system.
The security of the Java code is strong thanks to the two-stage execution process. Because the code runs through two steps, it is more secure and safer from attempts to hack or modify the code in malicious ways.
Java is built to adapt to changes as necessary to help reduce memory waste and increase performance speed. This makes for a very robust programming language with the ability to check for errors or tampering on compilation. With the JIT (just-in-time) compiler, the code gets translated into bytecode which is then interpreted by the target machine.
Java is a language built with distributed operation in mind. It can connect devices over the internet and prompt them for specific program functions. This means that many devices — such as computers — can run the same program and tap into each other for resources and information.
Java is a multithreaded language with its own set of synchronization primitive objects. These objects make using the multiple threads in unison more manageable, resulting in simpler use and better performance.
You are now armed with everything you need to know about the history of the Java programming language. You also learned the primary difference between Java and JavaScript, eliminating any confusion. Finally, you also know what it is used for, the industries you can find it used in, and some of its standout features. Now you can get started using it in your own web applications.
IntelliJ is an integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is freely available on the internet. It is used to compile and run the Java applications provided.
A comment is read by the Java compiler but, as a command, it is actually ignored.
defines the beginning of the Welcome class. To declare class:
It shows the start of the method printWelcome ( ). The syntax for defining a method is:
It shows how to print text in Java. The println() method displays the message inside the parentheses on the screen, and then placed the cursor on the next line.
These lines contain two closing braces. The brace online 5 closes the method printWelcome( ) and the brace on line 6 closes the class Welcome( ).
Program execution starts from this line.
It shows how an object is defined in Java. The syntax for defining an object is :
It illustrates how a method of class is called. The basic syntax is
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