Despite numerous alternatives cropping up over the years, Java remains one of the most popular and widely-used programming languages in the world. Developed in 1995, it doesn’t just have longevity on its side, but it 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 provides high performance, scalability, and security. Its ease of use and learning curve make it appealing to newcomers and experienced developers alike. This extreme versatility enables Java development services to create an extensive array of projects. So, what can be built with this widely-used programming language? Here are just 8 of the countless applications that 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 empowering the most cutting-edge advancements in Big Data and Machine Learning to driving the user experience on billions of Android devices, Java’s reach is truly enormous.
But what makes it so prevalent across diverse applications what exactly is it used for?
In the table below, we’ll delve into various areas where Java shines, exploring how and why it’s used. The versatility and robustness of Java might 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, making it a great choice for handling complex web-based tasks. |
| Software Development | Java is used for developing 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 | Primarily used for Android app development, Java allows for the creation of clean, modifiable apps. | Java is easy to learn, has a rich API, and Android, until recently, primarily used Java. |
| Big Data Technologies | Used in Hadoop and other big data technologies for data processing and analytics. | Java’s stability, scalability, and ease of management make it well-suited for handling large volumes of data. |
| Enterprise Applications | Java is used to develop secure, scalable, and efficient enterprise-level applications. | The Java EE platform provides robust APIs and runtime environments for creating enterprise applications. |
| Scientific Applications | Java is used for mathematical operations, simulations, and other scientific calculations. | It’s highly portable and has strong math libraries, making it a preferred choice for scientific applications. |
| Embedded Systems | Java is used for programming 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 for building mobile and web-based games. | Java’s rich libraries support the development of games, and its platform-independence is beneficial for multi-platform releases. |
| Financial Applications | Used for creating various financial software used in financial services. | Java provides features like security, performance, and threading capabilities, which are essential for financial transactions. |
| Distributed Computing | Used to create applications that split 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 on the cloud. | Java’s platform-independent nature allows cloud-based applications to be accessible and functional from any device. |
| Internet of Things (IoT) | Java is used to provide flexibility and portability to IoT devices. | Java’s platform independence and security features make it an ideal choice for the diverse IoT environment. |
| 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 the vast 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 the evolving serverless architectures. |
#1 Mobile Applications
Once the only official language of Android, Java is now joined by Kotlin as one of the two official languages for mobile application development for the Google OS. 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 choices of languages when it comes to Android app development, Java is a standout option for reasons such as its platform independence and wide community of support.
#2 Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
The 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 previously static devices with new capabilities.
Combined with technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Java can help you power devices remotely, connect appliances and other objects, and much more. For example, using an app on your mobile phone, you can turn on your slow cooker or thermostat from a distance — even when you’re far away from your home. The 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 use cloud computing, from storage to file-sharing. Industries across the spectrum rely on cloud apps like Dropbox, Amazon Web Services, Slack, and Salesforce.
Java is a great programming language for building cloud apps, thanks to factors like its top-notch performance, scalability, and reliability. In fact, many of the biggest companies in the world use Java to create cloud apps — Gmail, for instance, 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 remains a choice language for this purpose. It offers many features that make it a great option for complex web apps: security, scalability, and performance. Additionally, there is an abundance of tools that Java developers can access to support their work, including Play Framework.
Given its ease of use, many businesses, large and small, turn to Java when they are looking for a speedy turnaround for a high-performance web application.
#5 Chatbots
Remember the days when you had to jump through hoops and wait on hold for hours to finally talk to a representative from the business you were trying to reach? Today, technology can solve our increasingly complex inquiries. Chatbots, powered by AI and often built using Java, are an important step in resolving consumer questions and issues.
Chatbots are used as a marketing and customer service tool across industries and sectors, including healthcare, retail, finance, and media — really any services that deal with clients and consumers. They can be used to address minor medical-related questions and concerns, resolve issues with orders, provide information, and much more, adding a layer of convenience for both businesses and their consumers.
#6 Games
The force behind games such as Minecraft, Java is an ideal programming language for game development, particularly those that run on Android devices. Thanks to its high performance, the language makes this type of app runs very well on these systems. Moreover, the open-source tool jMonkeyEngine allows it to add 3D to games, an appealing feature. It’s also a good language for 2D games.
Bear in mind that some developers avoid the Java programming language for games because of garbage-collection issues, which can contribute to performance problems and frequent pausing in the apps. It’s sometimes avoided on game consoles and for bigger, AAA games for this very problem. However, many indie games still use the programming language.
#7 Enterprise Applications
The Java programming language is also suited for enterprise applications. This software is used for enterprises — often large businesses that need streamlined services delivered in one place — because it can connect and give access to numerous departments and employees, making delivery more convenient for everyone.
Why use Java for enterprise applications? For one, there is an entire set of Java application programming interfaces (APIs) for this very purpose called Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) that facilitates efficient and easy scripting. There are also many libraries that support the language, and its platform independence supports company-wide integration and compatibility.
Similarly, enterprise desktops run Java and its applications are gaining traction. These applications offer businesses a robust, integrated desktop environment tailored to their specific needs. With the power of Java, companies can develop customized desktop applications that integrate seamlessly with their existing enterprise systems.
These desktop solutions take full advantage of Java’s platform independence, ensuring that there is a consistent user experience across operating systems. The versatility and strength of Java make it the ideal choice for businesses looking to enhance their desktop operations while maintaining enterprise-level consistency and security.
As previously mentioned, the scalability of the Java programming language enables growing enterprises to effectively manage and expand their enterprise software initiatives.
#8 Scientific Applications
Scientific applications incorporate and use math to perform practical, real-world computations, and calculations. Fields like healthcare and research use them frequently. Because these apps and the work associated with them depend on accuracy, reliability, and security, Java, with its extensive community support, wealth of development tools, and the ever-reliable Java runtime environment(JRE), is often the go-to choice for creating them.
Remember, too, that the Java language is known for its high performance, which is also an important feature when it comes to scientific activities.
#9 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In the realm of Artificial Intelligence, Java has found its footing, powering a range of solutions from machine learning algorithms to robotics. One of Java’s core strengths is its portability, making it a prime choice for developers who aim to design AI applications across diverse platforms, be it desktops, cloud systems, or embedded devices. Java machine learning libraries, such as Deeplearning4j and Weka, offer robust frameworks for developing AI models and are fully optimized for Java’s architecture.
However, while the Java programming language and its Java virtual machine do provide a foundation for AI projects, developers must also be wary of certain challenges. Memory management, for instance, requires careful consideration, especially when dealing with large-scale data or real-time processes. But with Java’s adaptability, its threading capabilities, and the extensive community support, these obstacles are not insurmountable.
Moreover, 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 some 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 in which developers work to become proficient — they can access plenty of support and receive help with troubleshooting. The programming language’s many helpful features also make it an important tool for a tech professional’s kit.
So if you were asking yourself “What is Java used for?”, these software development projects can serve as a jumping-off point when you’re considering what to create next. Given the many ways you can use Java, they’re only a start — the possibilities are endless.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out one of our other Java articles:
- C# vs. Java: Key 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 & Tools
FAQ
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 requiring high performance, including enterprise and scientific applications.
Can Java be used for front-end development?
Java is primarily used for back-end development, but it can also be utilized in front-end development. Technologies like JavaFX and Swing are used for building graphical user interfaces (GUIs), making Java a versatile choice for both 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 straightforward syntax, a large standard library, and a strong community support, which make it an accessible and educational starting point for beginners in programming.
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 well-suited for creating secure, scalable blockchain applications and smart contracts.
