New Java developers and businesses are likely asking, what can you do with Java? Despite the wide variety of programming languages available, the Java programming language remains one of the most capable and popular programming languages.
Why is the Java programming language still such a popular choice among developers? This post will examine this versatile programming language. We will start by examining the origins of Java and conclude by exploring the different app development projects that can be built with Java.
If you are interested in the applications of Java in modern development, this post will provide all of the information you need.
The Origins of the Java Programming Language
Before its popularity in Android apps and enterprise applications, Java was released in 1996 by Sun Microsystems as a computing platform and programming language.
In addition to being a programming language, Java is a computing platform upon which many modern services and applications are built. Java is open-source, platform-independent, and very secure.
On top of these attributes, the Java programming language is highly scalable, reliable, and delivers high performance. Learning Java and using the Java Runtime Environment are attractive options for new and experienced developers.
Furthermore, the Java programming language is often compiled to bytecode, which can be run on Java virtual machines regardless of the underlying computer architecture or operating systems. This has resulted in Java having more versions than all other programming languages.
What Type of Projects Can Be Built with Java?
Java is a popular programming language because it can be used to build many different software projects. The most popular uses for Java include the following; however, this list is not exhaustive, and other software tools are built with Java:
- Mobile applications
- Web applications
- Desktop applications
- Enterprise applications
- Scientific applications
- Big data solutions
- Artificial Intelligence
- Embedded systems
Mobile Applications
Mobile app development is one of the most common tasks a Java developer handles today. Java is a native Android app development programming language. However, Java’s platform independence means it can also be used to build hybrid and cross-platform applications.
Java used to be the sole official programming language of Android app development, but in recent years Kotlin has also emerged as a native Android language. However, many native Android apps are still built using Java.
Android Studio supports Java and enables secure and efficient development for a large variety of different mobile applications.
Web Applications
Java is a popular programming language choice for building web applications. Web app development has always been an important part of Java, and it remains one of the top uses of the language to this day.
Java’s security, scalability, performance, and reliability make it one of the best choices for handling complex web tasks. In addition, Java offers efficient memory management that has become a vital component of web development.
Desktop Applications
In addition to mobile and web applications, Java is widely used for developing desktop applications. Java is one of the most popular options for creating graphical user interfaces (GUI) for desktop applications.
Java is a great option for developers because so many different Java development frameworks are available. In addition, since Java is an open-source programming language, there is a lot of community support and technical documentation available to developers interested in building desktop applications.
Enterprise Applications
Thanks to Java EE (enterprise edition) platform, Java is one of the best choices for enterprise app development. Java EE includes a vast collection of APIs that make scripting simple and efficient.
In addition, several development libraries support Java, and the language’s platform independence means it can be easily integrated company-wide, even in the largest organizations.
Plus, Java is highly scalable, which is important for businesses of all sizes, especially for enterprises whose needs can change overnight.
Scientific Applications
Scientific and mathematical applications have unique needs. Java is uniquely positioned to develop applications that require complex mathematical computations and simulations, making it a perfect choice for mathematical and scientific applications.
Java is one of the most portable programming languages currently available. Plus, it has some of the strongest available math libraries in the software development ecosystem. As a result, if you want to build a science app, Java is one of the best options for your project.
Big Data Solutions
While other programming languages like Python are popular in big data applications, Java is one of the best options for big data solutions.
Not only is Java widely used by Hadoop and other big data technologies for analytics and data processing, but its scalability, ease of use, and performance levels make it perfect for handling large amounts of data.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is seemingly on everyone’s mind these days. While Java is not the first language most people associate with AI development, the language is uniquely suited to this task.
Java is easier to learn than most other languages used for AI development, it is more widely known than most other AI languages, which means there is a lower barrier to entry into the field, and it is the language used to build many AI and Machine Learning libraries.
If you want to develop Artificial Intelligence, starting with Java is a great idea because it is easier than most languages to learn and use.
Embedded Systems
Another popular use of Java is programming for embedded systems. Embedded systems run inside non-computing devices like digital watches, appliances, robots, etc.
Java is a great option for the development of embedded systems since it is highly secure and platform-independent, which means it can run on a wide range of different devices.
Beyond function, security is arguably the most critical aspect of embedded systems. Java is one of the most popular programming languages for embedded systems because it is so secure and flexible.
Other Uses
We have only touched on some of the most popular uses of Java. However, a developer could use Java in many additional ways that we haven’t fully explained in this post, including the following use cases:
- Game development
- IoT development
- Distributed computing
- Serverless computing
- Cloud-based applications
- Backend processing
- Real-time systems
Final Thoughts
Java can be used in many ways to build strong digital products and applications. If you are interested in learning more about the capabilities of Java, contact an experienced app development partner like Koombea.
