What is the Purpose of Java?

When you start your programming career, the possibilities and permutations seem endless. You can become a web developer and focus on HTML and CSS, or you could be a cryptography expert and work on keeping your transmissions and connections secure and free of interference. Whatever your direction in programming and your particular interests, though, you’re likely to encounter Java regularly along the way. So, what is the purpose of Java, and why should you learn it?

In this guide, we look at Java and show you why it’s so well used and popular. We take you on a tour of Java’s features and discover why the language is one of the first ones beginners pick up when they start coding. And, we examine why Java is one of the most-employed languages around by looking at the sorts of tasks for which Java is the perfect choice to resolve. It’ll be an educational journey and will help you figure out your next career move. Let’s do this!

What is Java, and Why Should I Learn It?

Java is a general-purpose language. Don’t get muddled and confuse Java with JavaScript, though—the two languages are very different beasts. Java is portable and requires an exclusive platform (the Java Virtual Machine) to run, but what makes Java perfect for new coders, is how easy it is to pick up and start using.

Because Java is a high-level language, it takes care of much of the behind-the-scenes action. When you work with Java, you don’t need to concern yourself with memory management or any of the other nuts and bolts that can affect your program. Java does all of that for you and leaves you free to focus on the actual programming rather than housekeeping tasks. Java is simple to understand for newbies, too. And, it is more intuitive than many other languages.

Java Uses and Advantages

Java’s all over the place. You can find Java in all kinds of platforms, including web applications and games. Because Java is so scalable, companies love to use it. It allows them to expand their services or scope without having to come up with a whole new application every time they grow. You’re already familiar with Java, albeit unknowingly, if you have an Android phone—Android employs Java for their apps and operating system.

Another great thing about Java is that it’s fast. The language’s speed is thanks to the fact that it’s statically typed, meaning that definitions never change and your resources don’t get wasted on checking for them over and over while your app runs. And, thanks to improvements to Java Virtual Machine over the years, you can optimize Java to run in your specific environment and goose your application speed as a result.

You’re bound to encounter Java repeatedly as a coder, and it’s essential to understand why and how it’s used. The article shows you what Java is, why beginners should learn it, and the platforms that employ it most often. Now that you’ve finished this article, you should understand why you should start studying Java today.

What’s your opinion of Java? Let us know your thoughts in our comments section below.