What is Java?

Java - What, Where and Why?

Posted By Nishanth Singamala

1. Java - What, Where and Why?
2. What is Java
3. Where Java is used
4. Java Applications

Java technology is wide used currently. Let's start learning of java from basic questions like what is java, where it is used, what type of applications are created in java and why use java?

What is Java?

Java is a programming language and a platform.
Platform Any hardware or software environment in which a program runs, known as a platform. Since Java has its own Runtime Environment (JRE) and API, it is called platform.

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Where it is used?

According to Sun, 3 billion devices run java. There are many devices where java is currently used. Some of them are as follows:

1. Desktop Applications such as acrobat reader, media player, antivirus etc.
2. Web Applications such as irctc.co.in, javatpoint.com etc.
3. Enterprise Applications such as banking applications.
4. Mobile
5. Embedded System
6. Smart Card
7. Robotics
8. Games etc.

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Types of Java Applications

There are mainly 4 type of applications that can be created using java:

1) Standalone Application

It is also known as desktop application or window-based application. An application that we need to install on every machine such as media player, antivirus etc. AWT and Swing are used in java for creating standalone applications.

2) Web Application

An application that runs on the server side and creates dynamic page, is called web application. Currently, servlet, jsp, struts, jsf etc. technologies are used for creating web applications in java.

3) Enterprise Application

An application that is distributed in nature, such as banking applications etc. It has the advantage of high level security, load balancing and clustering. In java, EJB is used for creating enterprise applications.

4) Mobile Application

An application that is created for mobile devices. Currently Android and Java ME are used for creating mobile applications.

Do You Know ?

What is the difference between JRE and JVM ? What is the purpose of JIT compiler ? Can we save the java source file without any name ? Why java uses the concept of unicode system ?

What we will learn in Basics of Java ?

History of java Features of java Simple Program of Java Internal of Hello Java Program How to set path in Windows OS Difference between JDK, JRE and JVM Internal Details of JVM Variable and Data Type Unicode System Operators