Software Development

What is Java?

Quick answer

A widely used, object-oriented programming language designed to run on any device with a Java Virtual Machine.

Java, explained

Java was released by Sun Microsystems in 1995 with the slogan write once, run anywhere. Java code is compiled into bytecode that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), so the same program can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, and servers without modification.

Java remains a mainstay of enterprise software, banking systems, large backend services, and big data tools. It was long the primary language for Android apps, though Kotlin, which also runs on the JVM, is now preferred for new Android development. Frameworks such as Spring are popular for building web services. Java is known for strong typing, a mature ecosystem, and backward compatibility. Despite its similar name, it is unrelated to JavaScript.

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