What is Java? A Powerful and Versatile Programming Language

Java, created in 1995 and owned by Oracle, is one of the most widely used programming languages. It runs on over 3 billion devices, powering everything from mobile apps to enterprise systems.

Applications of Java

  • Mobile applications (especially Android apps)
  • Desktop applications
  • Web applications
  • Web servers and application servers
  • Games
  • Database connections
  • And much more!

Why Use Java?

  • Works on different platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.)
  • One of the most popular programming languages
  • High demand in the job market
  • Easy to learn and use
  • Open-source and free
  • Secure, fast, and powerful
  • Huge community support (millions of developers)
  • Object-oriented, providing clear structure and reusable code
  • Similar to C++ and C#, easing transition between languages

Types of Java Applications

  • Standalone Applications: Standalone applications, also known as desktop or window-based applications, are traditional software installed on each machine. Examples include media players and antivirus software. AWT and Swing are used for creating standalone applications in Java.
  • Web Applications: Web applications run on the server side and create dynamic pages. Technologies like Servlet, JSP, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, and JSF are used for creating web applications in Java.
  • Enterprise Applications: Enterprise applications are distributed in nature, such as banking applications. They offer high-level security, load balancing, and clustering. In Java, EJB is used for creating enterprise applications.
  • Mobile Applications:Mobile applications are created for mobile devices. Android and Java ME are currently used for developing mobile applications.

Java Platforms / Editions

  • Java SE (Java Standard Edition): Java SE is a programming platform that includes APIs like java.lang, java.io, java.net, java.util, java.sql, and java.math. Core topics include OOP, Strings, Regex, Exceptions, Inner classes, Multithreading, I/O Streams, Networking, AWT, Swing, Reflection, and Collections.
  • Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition): Java EE is an enterprise platform for developing web and enterprise applications. Built on Java SE, it includes topics like Servlet, JSP, Web Services, EJB, and JPA.
  • Java ME (Java Micro Edition): Java ME is a micro platform dedicated to mobile applications.
  • JavaFX:JavaFX is used to develop rich internet applications with a lightweight user interface API.