What is Java

 Java

Java is a high level, object-oriented, platform-independent, secure, dynamic, multithreaded programming language. Java is also a platform. Java programming language is used to develop different types of software applications. Java programming language is used as a software platform to run the java application.

Java programming language is a very simple programming language and easy to understand and easy to use. Java programming language is very interesting language to learn.

Platform: A platform is a basic hardware(computer) and software(operating system) on which software applications can be run. Since Java has its own runtime environment(JRE) and API, It is called platform.

Where is java used?

According to the sun, 3 billion devices run java. There are many devices where java is currently used. these are 

• A desktop application such as acrobat reader, media players, antivirus, etc.
• Web applications such as irctc.co.in.
• Scientific applications.
• Game development.
• Enterprise applications such as banking application, Insurance applications.
• Mobile applications.
• Embedded devices.
• Robotics.
• Smart card.

Types of java application

you can create different types of applications using java programming language.

(1) Desktop Application

It is also known as standalone application or window based application. An application that we need to install an application on every machine such as antivirus, media players, games etc. Abstract Window Toolkit(AWT), Swing and JavaFX technologies are used to create desktop applications or window based applications. AWT contains a number of pre-defined components such as menu, button, list. Swing provides certain advanced components such as a tree, tables, scroll panes, tabbed panel, and lists. JavaFX is a combination of graphics and media packages, provides 3D graphics features etc.

(2) Web Application

An application that executes on the server side and makes dynamic web pages, is called web application. We can create web applications using servlet, java server page(JSP), struts, spring technologies. Servlet, JSP, Struts based web applications are popular on various government projects. Many of government projects like healthcare, education, insurance and several other departments have their web applications built in java. Java is also used in eCommerce web applications using open-source eCommerce platform such as Broadleaf.

(3) Scientific Application

Java is also used in scientific applications. Java is the better choice of many software developers for writing application involving scientific calculation and mathematical operations, because java programming is very fast, secure, maintainable, portable language. 

(4) Enterprise Application

An application that is distributed in nature such as banking application. EJB technologies are used for this application.

(5) Mobile Application 

An application that is created for mobile devices. Java Micro Edition(J2ME or Java ME ) are used to create mobile applications. Micro edition is a cross-platform framework to build applications that run across all java supported devices like smartphones and features phones. Currently, Android is used for creating mobile applications.

(6) Embedded 

Java is used in embedded devices. Several devices such as blue-ray disk player, SIM cards, utility meters and televisions use embedded java technologies.

(7) Software tools

Java is used many useful software and development tools which are written and developed in java. e.g Netbeans IDE, Eclipse, IntelliJ Idea etc.

Here we discussed what is java, where we can use java, etc. Now we will learn in next chapter History of java, Features of java, How to download jdk(java), etc.