Given its ease of use, many companies turn to Java when looking for a quick turnaround for a high-performance web application.
Despite numerous alternatives emerging over the years, Java remains one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. Developed in 1995, it not only has longevity on its side, but also offers a number of important features that contribute to its success.
As an open-source, platform-independent, and reliable language, Java is one of the most popular programming languages and offers high performance, scalability, and security. Its ease of use and learning curve make it attractive to beginners and experienced developers alike. This extreme versatility allows Java development services to create a wide range of projects. So what can be built with this widely used programming language? Here are just 8 of the countless applications Java is known for.
What is Java used for?
As one of the most popular and enduring programming languages, Java has been a cornerstone of the digital world for decades. From powering the most advanced advancements in Big Data and Machine Learning to boosting the user experience on billions of Android devices, Java's reach is truly enormous.
But what makes it so prevalent in diverse applications and what exactly is it used for?
In the table below, we'll delve deeper into the different areas where Java shines, exploring how and why it's used. Java's versatility and robustness may surprise you!
| Area | How Java is used | Why Java is used |
| Web development | Java, in combination with frameworks like Spring and Struts, is used to create web applications, web services, and dynamic content for websites. | Java is known for its security, scalability, and efficient memory management, which makes it a great choice for handling complex web-based tasks. |
| Software development | Java is used to develop desktop applications, system software, server applications, and software tools. | It is platform-independent, robust and object-oriented, which simplifies the development and maintenance of complex applications. |
| Mobile Applications | Mainly used for Android application development, Java allows the creation of clean and modifiable applications. | Java is easy to learn, has a rich API, and Android, until recently, mainly used Java. |
| Big Data Technologies | Used in Hadoop and other big data technologies for data processing and analysis. | Java's stability, scalability, and ease of management make it suitable for handling large volumes of data. |
| Enterprise Applications | Java is used to develop secure, scalable, and efficient enterprise-grade applications. | The Java EE platform provides robust APIs and runtime environments for building enterprise applications. |
| Scientific Applications | Java is used for mathematical operations, simulations, and other scientific calculations. | It is highly portable and has strong mathematical libraries, which makes it the preferred choice for scientific applications. |
| Embedded systems | Java is used to program various types of embedded devices. | Due to its platform independence and security features, it can be run safely on any device. |
| Game development | Java is used to build mobile and web-based games. | Java's rich libraries support game development, and its platform independence is beneficial for cross-platform releases. |
| Financial investments | Used to create various financial software used in financial services. | Java provides features such as security, performance, and threading capabilities, which are essential for financial transactions. |
| Distributed computing | Used to create applications that divide processing between networked machines. | Java's strong networking capabilities make it an ideal language for distributed computing. |
| Cloud-Based Applications | Java is used in designing and developing applications that run in the cloud. | The platform-independent nature of Java allows cloud-based applications to be accessible and functional from any device. |
| Internet of Things (IoT) | Java is used to provide flexibility and portability for IoT devices. | Java's platform independence and security features make it an ideal choice for diverse IoT environments. |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | Java is used with libraries and tools like DL4J, Weka, and Java-ML for AI and ML applications. | Java's scalability, versatility, and large number of libraries make it a good choice for AI and ML. |
| Serverless computing | Java is used to write serverless applications, especially on platforms like AWS Lambda. | Java is a mature language with robust libraries and tools, making it suitable for evolving serverless architectures. |
#1 Mobile Apps
Once the only official language for Android, Java is now joined by Kotlin as one of the two official languages for developing mobile apps for Google's operating system. The programming language is supported by Android Studio and facilitates secure and efficient development for a wide range of mobile applications.
While there are, of course, many language options when it comes to Android app development, Java is a standout option for reasons like platform independence and broad support community.
#2 Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
IoT is a powerful entity that facilitates communication and data transmission between devices, software and the Internet without human intervention. It has many applications for the present and future, providing new capabilities to previously static devices.
Combined with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Java can help you power devices remotely, connect devices and other objects, and more. For example, using an app on your cell phone, you can turn on the slow cooker or thermostat remotely – even when you're away from home. IoT also has implications for many industries, including healthcare, security, utilities, supply chain management and others.
3# Cloud applications
Cloud-based applications – applications that involve data processed on a cloud server – are ubiquitous these days. There are many types of services that utilize cloud computing, from storage to file sharing. Industries across the spectrum rely on cloud applications like Dropbox, Amazon Web Services, Slack, and Salesforce.
Java is a great programming language for building cloud applications, thanks to factors like top-notch performance, scalability, and reliability. In fact, many of the world's largest companies use Java to create cloud applications – Gmail, for example, is an example of a cloud-based application built with Java.
#4 Web Applications
Web application development was one of the first uses of Java and it continues to be a language of choice for this purpose. It offers many features that make it a great choice for complex web applications: security, scalability, and performance. Additionally, there are plenty of tools that Java developers can access to support their work, including the Play Framework.
Given its ease of use, many companies, large and small, turn to Java when looking for a quick turnaround for a high-performance web application.
#5 Chat bots
Remember the days when you had to struggle and wait for hours to finally speak to a representative of the company you were trying to contact? Today, technology can solve our increasingly complex issues. Chatbots, powered by AI and often built in Java, are an important step in resolving consumer queries and problems.
Chatbots are used as a marketing and customer service tool across all industries and sectors, including healthcare, retail, finance and media – in fact, any service that deals with customers and consumers. They can be used to answer minor medical questions and concerns, resolve ordering issues, provide information, and more, adding a layer of convenience for businesses and their consumers.
#6 Games
The force behind games like Minecraft, Java is an ideal programming language for developing games, especially those that run on Android devices. Thanks to its high performance, the language makes this type of app work very well on these systems. Additionally, the open source tool jMonkeyEngine allows you to add 3D to games, an attractive feature. It is also a good language for 2D games.
Keep in mind that some developers avoid the Java programming language for games because of garbage collection issues, which can contribute to performance issues and frequent application pauses. It is sometimes avoided on game consoles and larger AAA games for this exact issue. However, many indie games still use the programming language.
#7 Enterprise Applications
The Java programming language is also suitable for enterprise applications. This software is used by companies – typically large companies that need streamlined services delivered in one place – because it can connect and give access to multiple departments and employees, making delivery more convenient for everyone.
Why use Java for enterprise applications? On the one hand, there is a complete set of Java application programming interfaces (APIs) for this purpose, called Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE), which facilitates easy and efficient scripting. There are also many libraries that support the language, and their platform independence supports enterprise-wide integration and compatibility.
Likewise, corporate desktops run Java and its applications are gaining traction. These applications provide businesses with a robust, integrated desktop environment tailored to their specific needs. With the power of Java, companies can develop custom desktop applications that integrate seamlessly with their existing business systems.
These desktop solutions take full advantage of Java platform independence, ensuring a consistent user experience across operating systems. Java's versatility and power make it an ideal choice for companies looking to enhance their desktop operations while maintaining enterprise-grade consistency and security.
As mentioned earlier, the scalability of the Java programming language allows growing companies to effectively manage and expand their enterprise software initiatives.
#8 Scientific Applications
Science apps incorporate and use mathematics to perform practical, real-world calculations and calculations. Areas such as health and research use them frequently. Because these applications and the work associated with them depend on accuracy, reliability, and security, Java, with its broad community support, wealth of development tools, and the ever-reliable Java Runtime Environment (JRE), is often the right choice. for creating them.
It is also worth remembering that the Java language is known for its high performance, which is also an important characteristic when it comes to scientific activities.
#9 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In the domain of Artificial Intelligence, Java has found its footing, powering a range of solutions, from machine learning algorithms to robotics. One of Java's main strengths is its portability, making it a prime choice for developers who want to design AI applications across multiple platforms, whether desktops, cloud systems, or embedded devices. Libraries like Deeplearning4j and Weka provide robust frameworks for developing AI models and are optimized for the Java architecture.
However, while the Java programming language and its Java virtual machine provide a foundation for AI projects, developers must also be wary of certain challenges. Memory management, for example, requires careful consideration, especially when dealing with large-scale data or real-time processes. But with Java's adaptability, threading capabilities, and broad community support, these obstacles are not insurmountable.
Additionally, for developers familiar with Java code, leveraging it for AI means a lower learning curve compared to diving into other programming languages. From neural networks to natural language processing, Java continues to establish itself as a formidable player in the AI landscape.
These are just a few of the many projects you can create using Java. With its huge community and many open source resources, Java is one of the first languages that developers work to become proficient in — they can access a lot of support and help with troubleshooting. The programming language's many useful features also make it an important tool in a technology professional's kit.
So if you're wondering, “What is Java for?”, these software development projects can serve as a starting point when you're considering what to create next. Given the many ways to use Java, these are just a start — the possibilities are endless.
If you liked this, be sure to check out one of our other Java articles:
- C# x Java: main differences explained
- Golang vs Java: programming languages compared and how to choose
- Top 5 Java Build Tools Compared
- Java Concurrency: Master the Art of Multithreading
- 10 Best Java NLP Libraries and Tools
Common questions
Is Java suitable for developing high-performance applications?
Yes, Java is suitable for developing high-performance applications. Its robust architecture, Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler and automatic memory management make it efficient for applications that require high performance, including business and scientific applications.
Can Java be used for front-end development?
Java is mainly used for back-end development, but it can also be used in front-end development. Technologies like JavaFX and Swing are used to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs), making Java a versatile choice for front-end and back-end development.
How does Java support Internet of Things (IoT) development?
Java supports IoT development through its platform independence, robust security features, and scalability. Java's ability to run on a variety of devices, from large-scale servers to small embedded devices, makes it a popular choice for IoT applications.
Is Java suitable for beginner programmers?
Yes, Java is suitable for beginner programmers. It has a simple syntax, a large standard library, and strong community support, making it an accessible and educational starting point for programming beginners.
Can Java be used for blockchain development?
Yes, Java is a popular choice for blockchain development. Its versatility, security features, and strong community support make it suitable for creating secure and scalable blockchain applications and smart contracts.
Source: BairesDev
