Java Overview
Java Overview
What is Java
Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that enables developers to create robust,
high-performance applications and used in a variety of software development contexts, from
enterprise applications to mobile apps and web-based applications.
The java platform provides a comprehensive set of libraries and tools that enable developers to
create sophisticated applications. java has a rich set of features that make it an attractive choice
for developers, including:
Object-oriented: Java is an object-oriented programming language, which means that it
enables developers to create modular, reusable code.
Platform independent: Java code can be run on any platform that supports java, making
it easy to develop cross-platform applications.
High performance: Java is a highly optimized language that enables developers to create
efficient applications.
Security: Java has a robust security model that helps to protect against malicious attacks.
Java is an object-oriented language, which means that it supports the development of software
based on objects and classes. This approach to programming makes code more modular and
reusable, and also simplifies the process of developing complex applications.
In addition, Java supports a number of features that make it well suited for developing networked
applications, including multithreading and sockets. Finally, Java includes a rich set of libraries
that provide a wide range of functionality, from GUI components to data structures. As a result,
Java is an ideal choice for developing sophisticated software applications.
Java Usages
Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that enables developers to create robust,
high-performance applications. One of the key usages of Java is its portability - programs written
in Java can run on any platform that supports the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). This makes
Java an ideal choice for developing cross-platform applications. Additionally, the vast majority
of Android apps are written in Java, making it the perfect choice for mobile app development.
Java is also widely used in server-side programming, big data processing, and scientific
computing. Some of the world's largest companies, including Google, Amazon, and eBay, use
Java to power their critical systems. Consequently, there is strong demand for Java developers
who are able to create reliable and scalable applications.
What is Java used for?
Server-Side or Backend Application Development
Full Stack Web Application Development
Distributed Application Development
Cloud-Based Application Development
Big Data Engineering
What companies use using Java?
Google
Microsoft
eBay
Uber
Spotify
Facebook / META
and many more
History of Java and Its license
Java was originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems. It was released in May
1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. Oracle Corporation's acquisition
of Sun Microsystems in 2009–10 , made java owned and primarily employed by Oracle.
Early versions of Java were informally known as "Oak" after an oak tree that grew outside
Gosling's office. Later, the project went by the name "Green" and was finally renamed "Java",
from Java coffee, said to be consumed in large quantities by the developers during early
development.
The original and reference implementation Java compilers, virtual machines, and class libraries
were originally released by Sun under proprietary licenses. As of May 2007, in compliance with
the specifications of the Java Community Process, Sun had relicensed most of its Java
technologies under the GPL-2.0-only license. Oracle offers its own HotSpot Java Virtual
Machine, however the official reference implementation is the OpenJDK JVM which is free
open-source software and used by most developers and is the default JVM for almost all Linux
distributions.
It has been on a 6-month rapid-release cycle since the release of Java 10, and starting with Java
11, has new LTS releases every six releases, or three years. Java 8 is the last release on the old
cycle methodology still in active support. Non-LTS releases are supported for 6 months. The
latest supported release in each release cycle can be found
at https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/java-se-glance.html
Currently, Java is one of the most popular programming languages in use, particularly for server-
side web applications, with a reported 9 million developers java and a presence on 3 billion
devices worldwide java. In 2017 java, TIME magazine named Java one of the 25 Most
Influential People on the Internet java, citing its wide adoption and impact on internet culture.
Compiled vs Interpreted Languages
A programming language is a formal constructed language designed to communicate instructions
to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs
that will control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms. Some programming
languages are compiled, meaning that they are converted into machine code that can be run on a
computer, while others are interpreted, meaning that they are read and executed by a software
program. There are many different programming languages in use today, including Java, Golang,
C++, and JavaScript. Each programming language has its own unique set of features and syntax
rules. Different programming languages are better suited for different tasks. For example, Java is
often used for creating complex business applications, while Golang is designed for developing
system software. When choosing a programming language for a project, it is important to
consider the specific needs of the project and select the language that is best suited for those
needs.
Compiled languages
Compiled languages are programming languages that are typically converted into machine code
before they are run. This machine code can be directly run on the target platform or it can be
used to produce an executable file.Compiled languages tend to be faster than interpreted
languages because the conversion to machine code happens just once. This means that there is no
need to parse and interpret the code every time it is run, as is the case with interpreted languages.
In addition, compiled languages often have stricter rules about syntax and semantics, which can
result in more reliable and efficient code. However, compiled languages can be more difficult to
work with than interpreted languages because errors are usually only detected at compile time,
not at runtime. This means that it can be harder to debug compiled code.
Some languages, such as Java, can be either compiled or interpreted, depending on how they are
configured.
Interpreted languages
There are two types of programming languages: compiled and interpreted. Compiled languages
are translated into machine code, which is then run on a computer. Interpreted languages, on the
other hand, are not directly translated into machine code. Instead, they are run through an
interpreter, which translates the code into instructions that can be executed by the computer.
One advantage of interpreted languages is that they are usually easier to learn and use than
compiled languages. This is because interpreted languages tend to be more high-level, meaning
that they are closer to human language and require less detailed instructions than compiled
languages. As a result, interpreted languages are often more user-friendly and easier to read and
write.
Another advantage of interpreted languages is that they tend to be more portable than compiled
languages. This is because an interpreter can be written for multiple platforms, meaning that the
same code can run on different types of computers. In contrast, a program written in a compiled
language can only run on the type of computer for which it was compiled.
There are some disadvantages to using interpreted languages as well. One drawback is that they
tend to be slower than compiled languages because the code must be passed through the
interpreter each time it is run. Another disadvantage is that interpreters can be harder to debug
than compiled programs because it can be difficult to track down errors in the interpretation
process. Overall, though, interpreted languages have some clear advantages that make them
worth considering for many programming tasks.
Static vs Dynamic Type Checking
There are two main approaches to type checking in programming languages: static and dynamic.
Static type checking is when types are checked during compilation, before the program is run.
This means that any type errors will be caught early on and can be fixed before the program is
deployed. Dynamic type checking, on the other hand, happens at runtime. This means that type
errors can go undetected until the program is actually being used.
Which approach is better depends on various factors. In general, static type checking can catch
more errors and can help to prevent bugs from getting into production code. However, it can also
add more of a burden on developers, as they have to make sure that their code is correctly typed
before it can be compiled. Dynamic type checking, on the other hand, is usually more flexible
and easier to use, but it can lead to more runtime errors.
ultimately, the choice between static and dynamic type checking depends on the specific needs of
the programming language and the team developing it.Both approaches have their own
advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the one that will work best for the
given project.
Static Type Checking
Static type checking is a process of verifying the correctness of program expressions by
inspecting their type declarations. It is usually done at compile-time, but it can also be performed
at run-time. Static type checking is an important tool for programming in Java, as it helps to
catch errors early and prevent them from propagating throughout the code. In addition, static
type checking can also help to improve performance, as the compiler can optimize code that has
been verified to be safe. As a result, static type checking is an essential part of programming in
Java.
Dynamic Type Checking
Dynamic type checking is a type of type checking that is performed at run time, as opposed to
compile time. It is commonly used in programming languages such as JavaScript and Java.
Dynamic type checking can be more flexible than static type checking, as it can allow for values
of different types to be passed to a function or method. However, it can also be less efficient, as
the program needs to check the types of values at run time. In addition, dynamic type checking
can make it more difficult to debug programs, as errors may not be detected until the program is
execute