Java Programming - The Smart Notes
Introduction to Java
**Java** is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by **Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle)**. It is one of the most widely used programming languages due to its **platform independence, security, and scalability**. Java is used in a wide range of applications, including **web development, enterprise applications, mobile apps (Android), and cloud computing**.
Key Features of Java
- Platform Independence: Java follows the **"Write Once, Run Anywhere" (WORA)** principle using the **Java Virtual Machine (JVM)**.
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Supports **encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction**.
- Multithreading: Allows concurrent execution of multiple tasks to enhance performance.
- Automatic Memory Management: Java uses **Garbage Collection** to free up unused memory.
- Robust & Secure: Features such as exception handling and strong memory management ensure stability.
- Rich API & Libraries: Java provides built-in **data structures, networking, and concurrency utilities**.
Applications of Java
Java is widely used in various domains, including:
- Web Development: Java frameworks like **Spring, Hibernate, and Struts** enable enterprise web applications.
- Mobile App Development: Java is the **core language for Android development**.
- Big Data & Cloud Computing: Java is used in **Hadoop and Apache Spark** for processing large datasets.
- Game Development: Java frameworks like **LibGDX and jMonkeyEngine** support game creation.
- Financial & Banking Applications: Java is preferred in **banking and fintech** due to its security features.