Learn Java programming: The beginner’s guide to app development
Java is the revolution the programming world so desperately needed! Before Java, developers had to use various compilers to run their codes; however, with its platform-independent feature, Java is a one-stop solution. It is derived from the C-language and since it’s genesis in 1995, has proved to be a top-performing language. Java Development Kit is the heart and the soul of this language. It consists of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which is responsible for converting the code, which is then executed by the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
Fun fact: The team that developed Java decided to name it as such when they were all hanging out in a cafe. A lot can happen over coffee for sure!
It is highly likely that the apps that you use in your daily life are in fact Java apps – after all, there are more than 9 million Java developers in the world! Let us see what all Java programming is capable of.
1. Mobile applications: Java is heavily used for the purpose of developing and embedding mobile applications. Java Micro Edition (or J2ME) makes it possible for mobile applications to be written and operated across platforms. Fundamentals of Java are also put to use in Android Software Development Kit (SDK) which is one of the most popular mobile operating systems.
2. Scientific applications: Java is considered to be quite secure and low-maintenance. This is the reason why scientific apps like MATLAB and NASA Wind make use of Java.
3. Financial services: Many world-renowned banks such as Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Citigroup etc. heavily make use of Java. Through its data processing, backend, and frontend services, Java helps banks in keeping accounts of settlements and facilitates other trading solutions.
4. The Internet of Things (IoT): Java is the language of choice for IoT. It is adaptable as well as flexible and it comes with a vast application program interface (API) library. Java is a pro at handling large streams of data, and this is a boon for IoT developers!
5. Gaming and animation: Java has exceptional drawing capabilities. Along with this, it has inbuilt sounds and images that you can use and modify as per your requirement for creating Java games. The double buffering feature in Java is responsible for creating smooth animations that you can control through AnimationThread.
Here are some important features of Java:
1. Java API: Java comes equipped with a library that has within it some commonly used functions. It has over ten-thousand methods, so you’ll never get bored! Multiple packages in Java can also be easily found in the API.
2. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): This is the most important paradigm in Java programming. It’s based on the belief that all programs are the simulations of real-life objects. The objects in Java have identity, types, and states. They also have something called a hash code which is basically the memory address for the given objects. To make use of the multiple objects, the developer creates classes. And the basic function of a Java code is to create and run these classes.
3. Internet: Connectivity to the internet is a crucial part of Java. Applets and Servlets are two Java programs that operate through the internet. The Java Applets run directly on the browser while Servlets produce an HTML page and run through the internet server rather than the browser.
4. Type checking: This feature determines and stores variables and different types of data. Java performs type checking to make sure that the code makes absolute sense. Java doesn’t have pre-defined types of data such as integers or strings. Thus, the developer has the freedom to create types as they go along.
5. Error handling: Through the feature of the exception object, JRE collects all the errors and forms a separate type of objects. This makes Java highly reliable as it indicates the developer of objects that might require special handling.
Why is Java better than other programming languages?
Java is fast and efficient – thus, the most appropriate choice for enterprise-level software and complex business problems. Where languages like Python have to wait for an interpreter to run their code, Java’s JVM and the Java compiler perform this task as smooth as butter! Java comes with the guarantee of minimizing errors through type checking while languages like BASIC don’t even have such a concept in their programming.
Even though Java was derived from C++, it performs way better than it. C++ is notorious for hoarding waste whereas Java’s garbage collector tends to keep the code neat and tidy! Java is also preferred over languages such as C# because of its platform independence and capability to function on all operating systems. Java’s user community and its network of languages are huge. Many languages like Kotlin, SCALA, JRuby are interconnected to Java’s ecosystem. Java sets a benchmark for programming languages, with its efficient data types, easy to learn syntax, and high applicability. These reasons make Java one of the most favorable languages for a beginner to learn.
Here are some careers that you can explore after you learn Java:
1. Android app developer: You already know about Android SDK and its dependency on Java. Android developers make use of their knowledge of Java and its OOPs concepts to create powerful applications. Multithreading in Java also helps the developers to build apps in a quicker way.
2. Machine learning (ML): ML algorithms run smoothly on Java due to its maintainability. It also has a set of ML libraries such as Weka, MALLET, Deeplearning4j etc., that help ML specialists in data analysis and prediction.
3. Web development: Web developers make use of Java frameworks like Java Enterprise Edition (JEE), Java ServerPages (JSP), Java Standard Edition (JSE), etc. These help the developers in creating quick and dynamic content. Java also helps in the development of the UI/UX of the website.
4. Data analysis: Most data analyses and data infrastructure are written and executed in Java. Analysts heavily make use of Java during the ETL (Extract/Transform/Load) cycle of the analysis.
You can learn Java in these ways:
1. Online sources: Are you someone who likes to read to understand something? Check out this list of free books that you can use to learn Java. Online trainings are a sure shot way to understand the A-Zs of Java. Check out Internshala’s Java online training (with an additional discount of 10%) where you can learn important concepts such as Core Java and other Java basics that will help you break into the world of programming.
2. Internships: If you really want to prove your mettle, get yourself an internship! Whether it’s game development or building an application, an internship will surely help you find your Java niche. Check out these Java internships and apply to find out what all Java can do for you!
3. Additional skills: To become an advanced Java developer, you can also pick up pieces of training on XML, JavaScript, JSP, SQL etc., along with a Java tutorial. These will surely escalate you to the top of your Java game!
Java has already dominated the programming world with its ultra-cool features and powerful applications. And you are just one training away from realizing your own world-domination – start now!
Image credits: technogeekzone.com
