Java is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language, known as a strongly-typed language, meaning that variable types are specified statically directly in the source code.
Java was created in 1992 at Stanford University under the name “Oak,” later renamed to “Java” due to copyright issues (source).
The main strength of Java is probably its portability: it can run on different platforms without modifying the code, making it extremely versatile and contributing to its widespread adoption.
Advantages and Features
The main features of Java include:
- Ease of Learning: It is one of the easiest programming languages to learn.
- Portability and Independence: Once written, the code can run on any platform equipped with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
- Object-Oriented: Java follows the object-oriented programming paradigm.
- Type Safe: Being a strongly-typed language, every variable has a defined and immutable type.
- Continuous Support: Java is constantly updated with new features and fixes. Initially, new versions were released every two years; today, a new version is released every six months, and every three years a Long Term Support (LTS) version is provided with extended support.
Use Cases
Thanks to its simplicity and versatility, Java is used in a wide range of fields, including:
- Software development (cloud and mobile applications)
- Big Data
- Game development
Why Learn Java?
The simplest answer might be: “Why not?”
Over the years, Java has earned a prominent position in the software development world, as confirmed by GitHub data (source).
As previously mentioned, Java has an accessible learning curve and is cross-platform, meaning you can develop applications compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux without having to create separate codebases.
.If you want to learn more, visit the official Java website or explore our dedicated section in the top menu.