Java is an extremely popular programming language and has been so ever since its first release in 1995. Today, Java is used for building every kind of application and software program, for desktops, mobile devices, the cloud, server-side, databases, and much more.
Why is Java So Popular?
The #1 reason why Java is so popular is that it is a versatile programming language that can be used for building all kinds of applications, from websites and server-side applications to high-end enterprise applications and IoT devices.
A Java development company might also favour Java over other languages for its cross-platform compatibility and easy learning curve, which ensures the quick development of whatever mobile/web application one wants to build.
Though Java is often competed by the likes of C++ and Python, it is not possible to completely replace Java with any other language because of its incredible features.
Applications of Java (where is Java used?)
Java is a versatile programming language that’s considered highly adaptable and therefore suitable for many types of applications. It is an immensely popular and highly supported language used by thousands of developers all over the world. Because of its high utility and easy learning process, Java is often the first programming language developers learn.
Originally, Java was used to build embedded web applications, i.e. programs that are created to perform a specific task for a specific device. Over the years, developers started recognising the use & benefits of Java for building other kinds of applications, including desktop apps, cloud apps, mobile apps, enterprise applications, big data apps, and AI apps.
Some popular types of Java applications:
- Java Desktop Apps - Desktop applications are the ones that are created for installation and use on a desktop computer. Adobe Photoshop is an example. Java is used for building Highly secure desktop applications that are platform-independent.
- Java Cloud Apps - Java programming language is also extensively used for building applications for distributed computing systems and the cloud.
- Java Mobile Apps - Java-based Android mobile apps are extremely popular and rich in features like advanced security and a great community for developer support.
- Java Enterprise Applications - Java is a great tool for creating large, enterprise applications for SaaS and other platforms. Examples may include enterprise collaboration solutions and resource planning apps.
- Java Big Data Apps - Many big data apps have been built on Java. The most popular example is Hadoop, a popular big data toolset that works on Java.
- Java AI Apps - Java is now also being used for building applications for advanced technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. Apache Jena, PowerLoom, and Eye are some of the top Java development frameworks for AI.
- Java Embedded System Apps - Java has always been a preferred choice for building small-scale, embedded applications for remote controls, routers, switches, and more.
- Java Web Applications - Lastly, Java is also commonly used for building web applications that are efficient and scalable, such as social media sites and blogging sites.
Top Examples of Java Applications
A wide variety of applications are built using the Java programming language and platform. Many popular web and mobile apps that you use on a daily basis are built on Java. Here are some top examples:
1. Google
Google is the search engine giant that more than 84% of the world’s population uses to conduct searches on both mobile and desktop devices. But, did you know a number of features and applications of Google have been built on Java? These include the popular document app Google Docs.
According to an article, Java is the main back-end programming language used by Google. The object-oriented language is used by many Google developers for building back-end and service-side applications & features for databases and networking.
2. Netflix
Netflix, the top online video streaming platform, almost exclusively uses Java programming language for all its services and projects. The strong back-end of Netflix, which is capable of handling large amounts of data and still ensures high processing speed, has been built on Java along with Python. The underlying Java technology is what makes Netflix compatible with multiple platforms and devices.
3. Uber
I bet you didn’t know that your favourite ride-hailing app Uber was built on Java. In fact, Java is the primary language that Uber uses to develop and manage its systems, including maintaining seamless processing of orders and matching ride requests with drivers quickly and in real time. Uber needs a powerful system to handle such bulk data and keep live track of requests and the current status of its drivers. Thanks to Java, all this works smoothly, ensuring a great experience for Uber users.
4. Twitter
Twitter is one of the top social networking platforms that use Java. Like many other applications in our list, Twitter uses the Java programming language to build and manage its back-end or server-side processing. Other than Java, the social media giant also uses C++, Ruby and other top programming languages. The front end of Twitter is built on JavaScript.
You may find it interesting to know that Scala, the programming language that Twitter now uses, is also built on Java. It is used for handling large-scale messaging in real-time.
5. Spotify
Spotify is a popular music streaming app that is available for both desktop and mobile devices. The web application of Spotify is built on Java. The application primarily uses Java to handle loads of data and maintain records of logs. Spotify’s Android app has also been created in Java. Because Java is very fast and provides support for many advanced functionalities, it is preferred over many other development languages.
6. eBay
According to eBay, one of the top global e-commerce platforms in the world, Java is the core programming language on which their platforms and apps run. “Our entire workflow centres around Java and the JVM,” says the EbayInc website.
JVM refers to the Java Virtual Machine, which is a virtual machine or runtime environment that enables a system to run Java bytecode. The reason why eBay uses Java as its core system language is its ability to handle large-scale traffic while still offering great stability.
7. Minecraft
Minecraft has remained one of the most popular internet games over the last decade. But, not many people know that Minecraft was built by a single developer, named Markus "Notch" Persson using the programming language Java. It was released in 2009. Even after a decade, the game is still powered by Java, though many developers may find it difficult to run or manage such a heavy game using a programming language like Java that needs a lot of code for every single feature.
8. Eclipse IDE
Eclipse is a popular integrated development program that is used for developing and running applications in many programming languages. Though the program was originally developed in and for Java, it is now used for many languages including C, C++ and others. Eclipse is developed primarily using Java and is mainly used for building Java applications.
Conclusion
Java may be an old programming language, but it is still very relevant in modern times and is being used for building next-gen applications for many futuristic technologies such as AI and blockchain. If you are a Java developer looking for inspiration or help, do check out any of the hundreds of Java communities spread across the internet.
If you are an entrepreneur or company looking to hire the best Java developers in India, you can search online on Google or ask around for recommendations for the best Java development company near you. Make sure to do your research and hire only the best developer that fits your particular development needs and budget.
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