What is JAVA?
Overview:
Java is a platform-independent object–oriented programming language. This language was initially known as “Oak” but it was renamed as “JAVA” in 1995. When the chronological order of computer languages is written, the following can be said: B led to C, C evolved into C++, and C++ set the stage for Java. Java is related to C++, which is derived from C. Java is inherited from these two languages that is From C, Java derives its syntax. Many of Java’s Object-Oriented features were influenced by C++.
History:
In 1991, the concept of Java was put forward by Patrick Naughton, Chris Warth, James Gosling, Ed Frank and Mike Sheridan at Sun Microsystems .The motivation to create a new language was platform-independency of a language. Need of a language which can create software that can be embedded in various electronic devices like remote controls, washing machines and microwave ovens. The second motivation was the World Wide Web.
Development:
Object-oriented concepts form the heart of Java. There are three OOP (Object-oriented programming) principles Encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism.
Encapsulation
Encapsulation binds the data and codes together and keeps it away from outside interference. Other way to explain encapsulation is that it acts like a wrapper that prevents the data and code from being accessed by other code which is not defined inside the wrapper.
Inheritance
Inheritance is the concept of hierarchical classification. It is the process by which one object inherits the properties of parent object. Data can be reused in hierarchical manner that is object can inherit general attributes and characteristics from its parents.
Polymorphism
Polymorphism is a feature that allows general class to be accessed by an interface. It provides another dimension of separation of interface from implementation.
Advantage over other Programming languages:
• Simple
• Secure
• Portable
• Object-oriented
• Robust
• Multithreaded
• Architecture-neutral
• Interpreted
• High performance
• Distributed
• Dynamic
Simple: Java was designed such that it is easy for the programmer to learn and use. It inherits syntax from C and OOPs concept from C++, so it is very easy to learn if programmer knows C and C++.
Secure: Java achieves protection by confining a Java program to a Java execution environment and not allowing it to access other parts of computer.
Portable: Java uses Bytecode to make the language platform independent.
Object-Oriented: Everything in Java is an object.
Robust: In variety of systems the program must execute reliably.
Multithreaded: Java was created to match the real scenarios, so it has to be very fast. It supports multithreaded programming which allows writing a program in which many things can run simultaneously.
Architecture-neutral: Write once, run anywhere, anytime, forever.
Interpreted: Java enables the creation of cross-platform programs by compiling into intermediate representation called as Byte code.
Distributed: Java handles TCP/IP protocols which facilitate the distributed environment of internet.
Dynamic: It is because of the run time type information which java carries with it, we are able to verify and thus resolve accesses during the run time.
Applications of JAVA
Java is basically used to create Applications or Applets. Application is a program which runs on computers under operating system of that particular computer where as an Applet is an application designed to be transmitted over the Internet and executed by Java –compatible Web browser. An Applet is a tiny Java program which is dynamically downloaded across the network similar to a sound file an image or video clip.
