What is Java? Meaning & Features of Java Platforms

What is Java?

Java is a general-purpose, class-based, object-oriented programming language designed for having lesser implementation dependencies. It is a computing platform for application development. Java is fast, secure, and reliable, therefore. It is widely used for developing Java applications in laptops, data centers, game consoles, scientific supercomputers, cell phones, etc.

Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

What is Java programming used for?

The Java programming language was developed by Sun Microsystems in the early 1990s. Although it is primarily used for Internet-based applications, Java is a simple, efficient, general-purpose language. Java was originally designed for embedded network applications running on multiple platforms.

What is Java Platform?

Java Platform is a collection of programs that help programmers to develop and run Java programming applications efficiently. It includes an execution engine, a compiler, and a set of libraries in it. It is a set of computer software and specifications. James Gosling developed the Java platform at Sun Microsystems, and the Oracle Corporation later acquired it

There are lots of applications and websites that will not work unless you have Java installed, and more are created every day. Java is fast, secure, and reliable.

TYPES OF JAVA PROGRAMMING PLATFORMS

There are four platforms of the Java programming language:

• Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE)
• Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE)
• Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME)
• Java FX

All Java platforms consist of a Java Virtual Machine (VM) and an application programming interface (API). The Java Virtual Machine is a program, for a particular hardware and software platform, that runs Java technology applications. An API is a collection of software components that you can use to create other software components or applications. Each Java platform provides a virtual machine and an API, and this allows applications written for that platform to run on any compatible system with all the advantages of the Java programming language: platform-independence, power, stability, ease-of-development, and security.

Java SE

When most people think of the Java programming language, they think of the Java SE API. Java SE’s API provides the core functionality of the Java programming language. It defines everything from the basic types and objects of the Java programming language to high-level classes that are used for networking, security, database access, graphical user interface (GUI) development, and XML parsing.

In addition to the core API, the Java SE platform consists of a virtual machine, development tools, deployment technologies, and other class libraries and toolkits commonly used in Java technology applications.

Java EE

The Java EE platform is built on top of the Java SE platform. The Java EE platform provides an API and runtime environment for developing and running large-scale, multi-tiered, scalable, reliable, and secure network applications.

Java ME

The Java ME platform provides an API and a small-footprint virtual machine for running Java programming language applications on small devices, like mobile phones. The API is a subset of the Java SE API, along with special class libraries useful for small device application development. Java ME applications are often clients of Java EE platform services.

Java FX

Java FX technology is a platform for creating rich internet applications written in Java FX Script^TM. Java FX Script is a statically-typed declarative language that is compiled to Java technology bytecode, which can then be run on a Java VM. Applications written for the Java FX platform can include and link to Java programming language classes, and may be clients of Java EE platform services.

TOP TEN JAVA BOOKS

TOP 10 Best Java Books for Beginners & Advanced Programmers

Here, we have assembled a list of 10 excellent Java books to advance your learning in Java.

1. Core Java Volume I – Fundamentals

Author – Cay S. Horstmann
Latest Edition – 11th Edition
Publisher – Prentice Hall

Core Java Volume I – Fundamentals is a Java reference book (Best book for Java)that offers a detailed explanation of various features of Core Java, including exception handling, interfaces, and lambda expressions. Significant highlights of the book include simple language, conciseness, and detailed examples. The latest edition of the Core Java Volume I – Fundamentals comprehensively updated for covering Java SE 9, 10 & 11. The book helps Java programmers develop an ability to write highly robust and maintainable code.

You can buy the book here.

2. Effective Java

Author – Joshua Bloch
Latest Edition – 3rd Edition
Publisher – Addison Wesley

A must-have book for every Java programmer and Java aspirant, Effective Java makes up for an excellent complementary read with other Java books or learning material. The book offers 78 best practices to follow for making the code better. Effective Java divides all the mentioned best practices into 11 distinct sections, such as Concurrency, Generics, and Methods, to make it easier for the reader to grasp it all. The book offers something to Java programmers of any skill level. Effective Java is written by Joshua Bloch, who is also the author of many key Java classes and API, including java.lang and Java Collection framework. The context of the latest edition of the book built around Java 7, 8, and 9.

You can buy the book here.

3. Java: A Beginner’s Guide

Author – Herbert Schildt
Latest Edition – 8th Edition
Publisher – McGraw-Hill Education

If you are a seasoned Java programmer looking to enhance your Java knowledge, don’t be averted by the title of the book, Java: A Beginner’s Guide. It is, in fact, one of the most comprehensive books for learning Java. Anyone with basic programming knowledge can easily benefit from the Java: A Beginner’s Guide. The Java book covers all concepts pertains to Core Java. The latest edition of the Java: A Beginner’s Guide is fully revised to include Java 11 SE. The book offers several hands-on exercises as well as a quiz section at the end of every chapter to let the readers self-evaluate their learning.

You can buy the book here.

4. Java – The Complete Reference

Author – Herbert Schildt
Latest Edition – 11th Edition
Publisher – McGraw Hill Education

Java – The Complete Reference is a convenient Java reference book with over 1000 pages. It contains every aspect of Java that you need to master. In addition to examining essential portions of the Java API library, Java – The Complete Reference covers fundamental programming principles, Java language syntax, and keywords. The book is full of discussions and apt examples to better Java learning.

You can buy the book here.

5. Head First Java

Author – Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
Latest Edition – 2nd Edition
Publisher – Shroff/O’Reilly

The most important selling points of Head First Java is its simplicity and super-effective real-life analogies that pertain to the Java programming concepts. It is also the best book to learn java and to start your learning journey with Java Development. Head First Java covers almost all oops concepts and fascinatingly explains them. Despite several readers claiming it to be a dated book, as it covers nothing beyond Java 5.0, Head First Java is still found on the shelves of numerous Java veterans. Thus, it a must-have book for every Java pursuer and developer.

You can buy the book here.

Some important topics covered by Head First Java include common OO mistakes, distributed programming with RMI and network sockets, and threads. Additionally, the book overs 42 mind-bending puzzles that will ensure a better understanding of Java.

6. Java Concurrency in Practice

Author – Brian Goetz with Tim Peierls, Joshua Bloch, Joseph Bowbeer, David Holmes, and Doug Lea
Latest Edition – 1st Edition
Publisher – Addison-Wesley Professional

Java Concurrency in Practice is one of the best Java programming books to develop a rich understanding of concurrency and multithreading. Don’t be fooled by the book’s coverage of Java 5.0, as it is still relevant and essential for any ardent Java developer. The only issue with the Java Concurrency in Practice is that some sections might be challenging to comprehend at first. However, you need to understand that the topics covered by the book, i.e. concurrency and multithreading, are tricky in themselves. Hence, you will realize later that the strenuous task of going through the book is worth the effort.

You can buy the book here.

7. Test-Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers

Author – Lasse Koskela
Latest Edition – 1st Edition
Publisher – Manning Publications

Test-Driven is an excellent book for learning how to write unique automation testing programs. It is a must-have book for those Java developers that prioritize code quality as well as have a knack for writing unit, integration, and automation tests. Test-Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers offers hands-on examples to test drive Java code. Further, the book covers acceptance test-driven development, the Fit framework, and testing Java EE components – JSPs, Servlets, and Spring Controllers.

You can buy the book here.

8. Head First Object-Oriented Analysis Design

Author – Brett D. McLaughlin, Gary Pollice & David West
Latest Edition – 1st Edition
Publisher – Shroff/O’Reilly

Head First is one of the most beautiful finest book series ever written on Java programming language. Another gem in the series is the Head First Object-Oriented Analysis Design. It is part of the Head First Java trilogy, the other two being Head First Java and Head First Design Patterns. Head First Object-Oriented Analysis Design details different techniques used in object-oriented programming and design. The list includes coding for interfaces as well as how to encapsulate what changes. Head First OOAD is an excellent book to know how to write Java code better.

You can buy the book here.

9. Java Performance: The Definite Guide

Author – Scott Oaks
Latest Edition – 1st Edition
Publisher – Shroff/O’Reilly

Garbage collection, JVM, and performance tuning are some of the most favorable aspects of the Java programming language Java Performance: The Definite Guide covers all three of these Java topics in a simple yet effective manner. Java Performance: The Definite Guide educates readers about maximizing Java threading and synchronization performance features, improve Java-driven database application performance, tackle performance issues in Java EE and Java SE APIs, and much more.

You can buy the book here.

10. Head First Design Patterns

Author – Eric Freeman & Elisabeth Robson with Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
Latest Edition – 10th Anniversary Edition
Publisher – Shroff/O’Reilly

Good hold on the OOP and design patterns is essential for writing immaculate Java applications. Head First Design Patterns is one of the leading books to build that particular understanding of the Java programming language. Head First Design Patterns provides answers to several commonly asked questions about Java, including why Composition is better than Inheritance and how to change the runtime behavior of a class without stirring the already tried and tested code.

You can buy the book here.

The latest edition of Head First Design Patterns updated for Java 8. Unlike other books that rely on a text-based approach, Head First Design Patterns flaunts a visually rich format that makes learning faster and more efficient.

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