Features of Java Programming Language

Despite its waning trendiness, Java remains a programming powerhouse. Its versatility shines through—whether you’re building web applications, Android apps, or robust enterprise software. The “write once, run anywhere” philosophy means you create code on one platform and run it seamlessly on any other with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

Speaking of JVMs, there are a whopping 45 billion of them worldwide, quietly executing Java code like a well-oiled backstage crew. Dive into this blog to explore the Features of Java that keep Java in the hearts of programmers, developers, and data science enthusiasts. 

Table of Contents

1) What Makes Java so Popular?   

2) What are the Features of Java?   

        a) Platform Independence

        b) Portability

       c) Robustness

       d) Security

       e) Interpreted

       f) Multi-threaded

3) Object Oriented Programming in Java   

4) Conclusion  

What Makes Java so Popular? 

Java has gained popularity for its simple language and detailed syntax. Despite its verbose nature, which can intimidate new programmers, it allows the creation of stable, statically typed code that is less likely to fail over time. Java follows Object-Oriented Programming principles, making it easier for those familiar with other OOP languages like C++ to learn. While Java has a moderately challenging learning curve due to its verbosity, it offers significant benefits. 

The requirement to declare data types is time-consuming, but Java compensates with its fast compilation speed and high performance, thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that converts programs into bytecode. The Just in Time (JIT) compiler further enhances Java's speed by compiling bytecode to machine code during runtime. Java's multithreading capability allows it to process multiple threads simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking. 

These features make Java a valuable language for programmers despite its initial learning challenges.

a) Stable and Statically Typed: Java's verbose syntax ensures stable code.

b) OOP Principles: Easier to learn for those with OOP experience.

c) High Performance: Uses JVM to interpret programs into bytecode.

d) Fast Compilation: JIT compiler speeds up execution by compiling during runtime.

e) Multithreading: Allows the simultaneous processing of multiple threads for efficient multitasking.  
 

What are the Features of Java? 

Java has certain traits that make it an excellent choice for development as a Programming Language. It is commonly utilised in mobile development, chatbots and DevOps. Some common Features of Java that make it so popular with developers are as follows:  

Platform Independence 

Java was designed to create a language that can run equally well regardless of platform. Java program uses JVM as its platform, which allows you to bridge the gap between the Operating System (OS) and compiler. This means Java programs can be on your system irrelevant of whether you are using Windows, Linux or macOS.

Portability 

Java Programming Language follows the concept of Write Once Run Anywhere (WORA) thanks to its platform independence. This means code written in Java, which was initially created on a Windows machine, can be executed on another machine using Linux. This is possible due to the usage of JVM, where a converted bytecode will be adjusted according to the respective OS.  

This makes it very easy for programmers to write a piece of code once and run it later in different systems. This has added benefit of saving a programmer a lot of time, as they don't need to write a fresh piece of code for different machines. 

Robustness 

A well-written program can handle exceptions very well and survive unpredictable errors to a great degree. This is possible due to the “Exception Handling” Feature in Java. This allows a programmer to use keywords like try, catch, finally and throw to prepare for errors and take certain actions when certain errors are detected.   

Additionally, Java can automatically manage its own memory. On the one hand, low-level Programming Languages make you manually code the destruction of unused variables; on the other, JVM does it automatically on your behalf in Java. This process is called Garbage Collection in Java and makes memory management of the heap extremely efficient.   

Lastly, Java allows you to run code written in the latest version of its run time environment in its oldest version or vice versa. This makes a legacy code within Java survive the migration, increasing its reusability. 

Security 

Java’s biggest advantage and feature is its natural defence against external threats. These natural defences exist in the form of security measures present within Java. It allows you to test its program for malware and viruses. Java also allows for digital signature generation, which has helped developers combat impersonation or data tampering. This is a failsafe in the absence of good development practices.   

Given that Java is not completely invulnerable to external threats, it still greatly reduces its effect. In cases of other Programming Languages, the absence of security methods leaves a program at the mercy of a programmer abiding by good development practices. 

Interpreted

You've likely encountered those who rely on either a compiler or an interpreter in a Programming Language. However, the Java Programming Language uniquely employs both. Java programs are first compiled to generate bytecode files, which the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) then interprets during execution. This dual-stage process enhances Java's platform independence, allowing the same bytecode to run on any device equipped with a compatible JVM. 

Additionally, the JVM leverages a JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler, which translates bytecode into native machine code at runtime, further enhancing execution speed and performance. This combination ensures that Java applications are both portable and efficient, running seamlessly across diverse environments.

Multi-threaded

A thread is a lightweight, independent subprocess of a running program (or process) that shares resources. When multiple threads run simultaneously, it is known as multithreading. This feature is crucial for modern applications, enabling them to perform multiple tasks concurrently. For example, in Google Docs, tasks like spell check and autocorrect run concurrently with the typing activity, providing a smooth and responsive user experience.

Servers also utilise multithreading to handle multiple client requests simultaneously, enhancing their ability to provide quick and efficient services. In Java, developers can create threads in two ways: by implementing the Runnable interface, which provides a simple way to define the code that constitutes a thread, or by extending the Thread class, which offers more control over thread behaviour. This flexibility makes Java a powerful tool for building robust, responsive applications that can manage multiple operations at once.

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Object-Oriented Programming in Java 

Java is part of the Objected Oriented Programming Languages, a programming model built around data, objects and their classes. This differs from commonly found procedural Programming Languages such as C and Fortran.    

Java is an Object-Oriented Programming language, a model centred around data, objects, and their classes, unlike procedural languages like C and Fortran. This enables the classification of data in Java, such as variables as objects and groups of such objects as classes. The OOP model provides several key Features of Java:

a) Encapsulation

Encapsulation in Java allows grouping related entities into a single unit, such as objects and methods within a class. This helps protect data, maintain loose coupling, and ease debugging. For example, animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys can be encapsulated under the class "Animal".

b) Inheritance

Inheritance enables classes to inherit properties from a parent class, allowing code reuse and reducing redundancy. This means subclasses can use the methods and fields of their parent class without redefining them.

c) Abstraction

Abstraction simplifies complex processes by hiding unnecessary details and exposing only the essential features. It also enhances security by limiting data accessibility through access modifiers.

d) Polymorphism

Polymorphism allows a term to be used in different contexts, enabling code reusability and efficiency. It means one interface can be used for a general class of actions, increasing a program's flexibility.

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Conclusion 

Java is a platform-independent Programming Language renowned for its security, portability, and resilience. It stands out as one of the most popular choices for cross-platform development, chatbots, and mobile development. While Java may sometimes fall short in terms of concise syntax and readability, it more than compensates with its exceptional performance and speed. We hope this blog has shed light on the features of Java that contribute to its widespread popularity.

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