Core Java

What is Java used for

Photo of Simran Koul Simran KoulSeptember 23rd, 2020Last Updated: May 24th, 2021
0 71 3 minutes read

In this article, we are going to explain what is Java used for through examples and definitions.

In the world where technology is evolving at an exponential, do you wonder why we are still using Java? This article will explore the nitty-gritty details about Java and Java programmers.

1. What is Java and what is used for

Java is a ‘General Purpose Programming Language’, which runs on the principle – ‘Write Once, Run Everywhere’. Like C++, Java is also an Object-Oriented programming language. Also, you should note that Java is not only a programming language, but it is itself a platform for application development.

The different principles of Java included:

  1. Java should be object-oriented as well as simple to comprehend.
  2. It should be robust as well as secure.
  3. Java should give the best performance.
  4. The programming language should be able to execute anywhere – making it platform dependent.
  5. Java should be dynamic. The concept of multi-threading became a part.

2. History of Java

Let us talk about where it all began. After struggling with numerous names like Oak, Silk, and many others, Java became the name. The name – Java – comes from a type of coffee from Indonesia known as Java coffee.

James Gosling and his team started working for this project in the early 1900s. The primary application of Java was for interactive televisions like the set-up boxes.

But, eventually, it became a better option for internet programming. Java was developed as part of Sun Microsystems. It was released in 1995 as Java 1.0, which was then acquired by Oracle.

What is Java used for - Netbeans IDE
NetBeans IDE for Java
What is Java used for - Eclipse IDE For Java
Eclipse IDE For Java

3. Importance of Java

In recent years, Java has been able to mark its presence in every sector. From the web applications to mobile development, Java has shown its significance.

Subsequently, the primary reasons for Java being so important in the world of evolving technology are:

  1. “Write Once, Use Anywhere”; also known as portability, the concept makes Java flexible and thus an important choice for the developers.
  2. Multithreading enables a faster response time for the code execution. Since threads save memory and execute faster, it becomes important for the developers.
  3. The performance increases manifolds when memory is used efficiently.

Therefore, Java quite often becomes the primary choice for the developers around the world.

4. Popularity of Java

Despite the fact that Java has been there for more than 2 decades, the constant evolution of Java is primarily the reason why is still so popular among developers.

Finally, the different reasons for Java as a popular choice are as follow:

  1. Java is a user-friendly language. Unlike other programming languages, Java is simple and easy to understand.
  2. This technology is led by a robust community. The community ensures continuous improvement periodically.
  3. Excellent Documentation makes it easier for the developers to code better.
  4. The programmers have a rich source of API that they can use. This frees them away from the burden of writing extra code.

5. What Java Programmers do

The roles and responsibilities of a Java developer may vary because of many factors including the seniority of the position, and the skillset they possess. A programmer’s role lies throughout the Software Development Cycle.

5.1 Roles & Responsibilities

Here are few of the roles and responsibilities of Java programmers.

  1. The primary role of a Java programmer is to write code for the application program. The code should be well-designed, and efficient apart from being testable.
  2. A Java programmer takes part not only in programming but also in testing and debugging.
  3. Once the application is published/released, it is the responsibility of the Java developers to maintain and update any changes required by the application. The reason why Java is still one of the top technologies in the market is due to continuous improvement, and updations by the developers.
  4. A Java programmer contributes to all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle, also known as SDLC.

5.2 Key Skills & Expertise

As already mentioned, Java developers play a role in the entire SDLC, thus there are many skills needed by the developer to excel. The skills that a Java developer needs to have expertise with are as follows:

  1. Object-Oriented Programming & Design
  2. Relational Databases – MySQL/Oracle
  3. Web-services based on Java
  4. JSP – Java Server Pages
  5. Servlets
  6. EJB – Enterprise Java Beans

6. Summary

In this article, we explained what is Java used for and we talked in-depth about it, like why it still is so important and popular in the world of ever-evolving technology, and the role of a Java programmer.

If you want to start programming in Java, here is a list of tutorials for beginners:

Last updated on May 24th, 2021

Photo of Simran Koul Simran KoulSeptember 23rd, 2020Last Updated: May 24th, 2021
0 71 3 minutes read
Photo of Simran Koul

Simran Koul

Simran has graduated as a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Chitkara University. She has undergone a 6-months long comprehensive industrial training at the reputed Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), where she worked on a project including the likes of Java, JSP, Servlets while the UI-UX through the pioneering HTML, CSS and JS. Her inquisitive nature and the seed of curiosity keeps her on the toes to find material to write about. Along with her interests in Software Development, she is an ardent reader and always ready-to-write writer.
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