Released by Sun Microsystems in 1995, Java is a class-based, concurrent, object-oriented programming language and computing platform that aims to have the least possible implementation dependencies. There are many reasons why leading tech-driven businesses trust and use Java over other technologies.
Java is among the most used server-side languages, contributing to the back-end of over 90% of fortune 500 companies. In addition to mobile and desktop apps, Java is used in data centers, game consoles, scientific supercomputers, and other computing solutions.
Netflix, Uber, Pinterest, Instagram, Slack, and 10114 other companies reportedly use Java in their tech stack. Looking at the tremendous success of the companies leveraging Java, startups to enterprises consider hiring expert Java developers. Therefore, the number of Java developers is increasing with the projects, offering ample options for companies to employ dedicated Java programmers.
Do you know the number of Java developers has reached 8 million counts worldwide?
If you want to take a plunge with the programming language that has a steaming cup-of-coffee logo, this is your blog. From the definition and use cases to the pros and cons of Java, we will dig into this object-oriented to the companies that use it. So, buckle up as this is going to be thrilling as a roller coaster ride.
What can you build using Java?
Java is one of the five leading, most commonly used programming languages in the global community of developers. You can use it to develop desktop applications, web services, and a whole lot more, such as:
Android Apps
Java has been used as the primary programming language for the Android operating system since its inception. Developers use the class-based programming language with Android Studio – the official IDE for Android app development. Since Android consists of its own APIs and supports a large number of Java libraries, you can quickly write apps using Java.
Web applications
You can also use Java for your web-based projects as the object-oriented programming language offers excellent tools and IDE for developing web applications. Moreover, using the Spring framework with plain Java objects, developers can create high-performing modern web applications.
Desktop Applications
Java is a programming language developed for general-purpose applications. Hence, in addition to the development of enterprise applications and websites, it can also be used to write applications for embedded devices and to develop desktop apps.
Video games
Java is a good choice for game development since it is a general-purpose and multi-threaded language. Java is a platform-independent language and works on different platforms so that anyone can develop cross-platform games. Besides, it has solid, reliable, and event-driven foundations with a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries.
Big Data
Apart from Python, Java is also a naturally good fit for Big Data as the majority of core modules of the Big Data tools are written in Java, such as Hadoop, Spark, and Mahout. So, organizations with a need for Big Data look for Java proficiency in their engineers.
Internet Of Things
Java is highly recommended for connected devices for its excellent platform-agnostic characteristic, adaptability, and mobility. On top of that, Java makes it easy to integrate with multiple technologies and reduces workload by producing a cross-platform codebase.
Read Also: Java Developers Skill-Set, Hourly Rates, Tips To Hire, And More
Why do we use Java?
The high-level, class-based programming language was initially developed for consumer electronics devices like set-top boxes to run on all computer platforms without any modification.
Since Java is designed to be portable, you can compile Java applications into byte codes instead of machine codes. As a result, Java requires no software to be installed on the computers where it is executed (provided they have some sort of Java interpreter). This allows the same program to work on many different types of computers without re-compilation.
It means that programs written in Java will run on all operating systems that support Java without the need to recompile the source code or use special tools or add-ons.
This approach allows Java developers to create cross-platform apps (known as “write once run anywhere”) using just one set of source code that can be compiled into native executables for different platforms.
Consequently, Java has become an industry standard for developing both mobile and web applications, leading to its widespread use in business, government, education, and other fields.
Top Companies That Are Taking Advantage Of Java For Their Application
Uber
The ride-sharing app, Uber, deals with tons of data in real-time, including records of riders, drivers, and incoming ride requests. Since Java is able to handle data requests and transfers rapidly, it fits into the Java tech stack like a bug in the rug.
eBay
Multinational eCommerce company eBay also includes Java in its tech stack. Java has been a proven technology for sites like eBay, considering the growing traffic scale and the required stability.
Spotify
Believe it or not, everyone’s favorite music streaming app uses the versatile programming language Java to power their web application, log, stabilize, and transfer data.
Netflix
One of the best online entertainment platforms, Netflix chose Java for its scalability and efficient cross-platform functionality. They use Java’s open-source tools to monitor, scale and upgrade their services.
Airbnb
A travel partner for many nomads leverages Java in their back-end/server-side web development, data engineering, and Android development.
This Is Why Companies Trust And Prefer Java Programming
Java is among the most popular programming languages in the world. It’s easy to learn, powerful and versatile, making it an excellent choice for both professional developers and beginners alike. So, let us explore Java’s Pros and Cons:
Advantages of Java:
Speed
Java programs are typically faster than those written in other languages because they compile directly into native machine code (as opposed to bytecode). This means that they run directly on the CPU rather than being interpreted by an interpreter or virtual machine (VM). While VMs do provide some advantages (such as portability), they can sometimes cause performance issues.
Java runs fast because it doesn’t have to interpret code like other languages like JavaScript or Python. This makes it ideal for developing high-performance applications like games or web apps where speed is essential.
Security
Many modern operating systems, such as Windows, have security features built-in that prevent viruses from infecting programs written in Java (or other safe languages like C#). This means that if you write a program using Java, then it should be safe from virus attacks even if it runs on a system.
It’s platform-independent
This means you can write your code once and run it anywhere. For example, you could write a program on your computer and run it on your phone or tablet without rewriting anything.
Java is secure and reliable because Oracle Corporation (formerly Sun Microsystems) looks after it. This means that if a problem occurs with your Java application, Oracle will fix it promptly and at no cost to you.
Good documentation
Java is a completely free and open-source programming language with meticulous documentation that makes it beginner-friendly. Moreover, the guide also helps developers address issues they encounter during coding with Java.
Java ecosystem
Java is not only a programming language but also an ecosystem, including Java Development Kit, Java Runtime Environment with Java Class Library), a configuration tool, and Java Virtual Machine, as well as Integrated Development Environment to run, edit, and compile code, such as IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and NetBeans.
Supports OOPS concepts
Java is an Object-Oriented Programming that allows you to define the type and structure of data and makes it an object that you can manipulate to connect with other objects. Consequently, you can easily reuse the objects, manage programs efficiently, and enable legacy code modernization.
Multithreading
Threads are the small processing units in programming, and Java enables running these threads concurrently, following a multithreading process. This way, you maximize CPU utilization time. Since each thread is independent, it doesn’t affect other threads when any of them faces an exception. This characteristic is far more helpful for gaming and animation-driven programs.
Drawbacks of Java:
- There are many verbose and complex syntaxes in Java that are hard to remember;
- You have to pay for Java Standard Edition 8 to use for business, commercial, or production, as announced in Jan 2019;
- Compilation of an abstraction level of the Virtual Machine often decreases the program speed and performance;
- Java program takes up more memory as it runs on top of the Java virtual machine;
- Programmers cannot control Java’s automatic garbage collection.
Confused about where to use Java?
Despite being 27 years old, Java is compatible with modern app development. Moreover, you can blend it with any latest technology, such as IoT, AI, Big Data, and Blockchain, to drive IT innovations. You can create cloud-based, cross-platform, Android, Desktop, Web, or Game apps using an object-oriented language, Java.
But, not every Java developer needs to have the skills suitable for any type of project. Oftentimes, in haste, companies do not pay adequate attention to hiring their software developers. Rushing to onboarding the full-time development team results in headaches and struggles in achieving high quality. You might have to face many problems if you fail to find the right Java programmers for hire. So, make sure you know how to hire Java developers.