Java is a high-level, object-oriented, and general-purpose programming language used to build a wide range of applications from mobile apps and websites to games and enterprise software.
It was created in 1995 by Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle). Java is known for being simple, secure, and fast — and most importantly, for working on any device, no matter what operating system it uses.
In simple words: Java is a language that lets us write instructions for the computer in an easy way. Once we write the program, we can run it on any computer – Windows, Mac, Linux, or even Android without changing the code.
This feature is called “Write Once, Run Anywhere”, and it’s one of the main reasons Java is so popular.
Java is used by millions of developers across the world and runs on billions of devices, from smartphones and laptops to ATMs and smart TVs.
What Makes Java So Special?
Here are a few things that make Java stand out:
1. It’s Easy to Learn: Java is written using words and rules that are similar to English, which makes it beginner-friendly.
2. It’s Object-Oriented: Java allows you to organize your program using real-world ideas like “Student”, “Book”, or “Car”. This makes your code cleaner and easier to manage.
3. It’s Platform-Independent: You can write Java code once and run it on any operating system without changing anything. This is possible because of something called the JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
What Can You Do with Java?
Java is everywhere! You can use it to build:
- Mobile apps (like Android apps)
- Web applications (like online shopping systems)
- Desktop software (like calculators or text editors)
- Games
- Banking and enterprise systems
- Embedded systems (like software in washing machines or TVs)
Why Do Companies Love Java?
- It’s fast and reliable
- It has a huge community of developers
- It runs on almost any device
- It has strong security features
Fun Fact
Over 3 billion devices run Java! That includes laptops, game consoles, mobile phones, and more.
In Simple Words: Java is a language that helps us build software once and run it anywhere — it’s fast, secure, and used by millions of developers all over the world.
Coming Up Next
Now that you know what Java is, we’ll learn why Java is platform-independent, and how the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) makes that possible.