Java is widely used in software development because of its various unique features and technologies. Java provides us with numerous technologies with it. Software development is a process which involves can computer programming, testing, documentation, and fixing a bug. Therefore java can be used as the programming language for developing software as it is the fastest growing language.
Also Read:- Role of Java Frameworks in App Development
Why is Java preferred in Software Development?
Java is preferred in software development because of the following features:
- Easy
Java is easier because it removes less-used and confusing features such as operator overloading, explicit pointers, etc. Java’s automatic garbage collection mechanism gives it an edge over other programming languages used for software development.
- Object-oriented
Objects or instances are created which help in modifying and maintaining existing code. Object oriented programming simplifies software development by providing various rules.
- Platform independent
Java Virtual Machine is used to execute Java programs, which makes it platform independent. Java Virtual Machine converts the .java file into byte-code. The byte-code generated can be run on any machine, making it platform independent.
- Multi-threaded
Multi-threading is similar to multi-tasking, using threads. Separate threads are created for separate programs that can run concurrently.
Using multi-threading, the processing speed is increased as processor need not wait for one task to finish for another task to start, multiple tasks run simultaneously. Java’s feature of multi-threading is very useful for software development as it does not require a separate memory space, it shares a common area of memory.
- Robust
Java is a robust language i.e. java is a strongly written language. Memory management of Java is very strong. The automatic garbage collection of Java is an important feature. Exception handling of Java is exceptional because all the minute errors are handled byJava’s exception handling mechanism. The mentioned points make Java robust.
- Highsecurity
As discussed earlier, exception handling mechanism of Java is the best. Majority of errors are caught in Java. Errors like division by zero cannot be handles by C/C++. A simple error like this makes the entire system down if C/C++ is used; this is easily handled in Java. Software which is more secure is always preferred.
The above mentioned are some of the reasons that describes the use of Java in Software Development.
Technologies of Java used for Software Development.
Java is not alone; it comes along with many integrated technologies. Some of the technologies that can be used in software development are given below:
- JavaServer Pages
The technology of JavaServer Pages helps a developer to create dynamic web content. JavaServerPages is same as ASP, PHP, except, it uses Java programming language for the purpose of coding. It is a server-side programming language which provides platform independent method for software development.
- Java Servlet API
Java Servlet API is an extension that provides an interface which gives an environment to implement server-side programs. There are two packages used which defines the interfaces and classes for servlet API. They are:
servlet- it contains many interfaces and classes that are utilized by web container or servlet. These are protocol independent.
servlet.http- it contains interfaces and classes that handles only the http requests.
- JavaServer Faces
JavaServer Faces is also a server-side framework to build Java-based web applications. The JavaServer Faces technology consists of the following two main components:
It contains an API that represents components and manages their state. Its functions are validating the server-side, data conversion, processing events, declaring page navigations, supports accessibility and internalizations, and provides extensibility for all these features.
Various tag libraries are present to add components to web pages and to connect components to server-side objects. The well-defined programming model and the various tag libraries present in the JavaServer Faces technologies makes it ideal for software development.
- Java Message Service
Java Message Service initiates messaging between two or more clients. Java Message Service is an API that facilitates creation, sending and receiving of messages. Messaging is a communication between two or more software applications or components.
An application that provides messaging is capable of sending data to and receiving data from another clients. Java Message Service is a messaging service that allows asynchronous, loosely coupled and reliable communication between clients.
Ample features are provided for supporting smooth messaging applications. Thus, Java Message Service provides messaging or facilitates communication between softwareapplications in software development.
- Java Naming and Directory Interface
Java Naming and Directory Interface is an API that allows access to naming and directory services to the Java-based applications. Since, Java Naming and Directory Interface is independent of any implementations, therefore various directory types can be accessed in a common defined procedure.
The configuration information provided by the web container can be easily accessed by a Java Servlet with the help of JNDI. JNDI helps a Java application to connect to an external directory service such as an LDAP server or a database.
- JavaBeans Activation Framework
The major services that are provided by the JavaBeans Activation Framework are as follows:
It decides the type of arbitrary data.
It helps in encapsulating access to the data.
It helps the developers in detecting operations available on it.
It instantiates the appropriate bean to the operation to be performed.
JAF has a component based architecture which to can be later used to create a component for performing the particular operation. The JAF facilitates the given services to developers in the field of software development.
- Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)
The basic function of Java Database Connectivity is to connect Java-based codes to any type of database. It is an application programming interface (API) that connects and queries a database. Earlier, ODBC was used which was platform dependent and unsecure.
This is the reason why Java introduced its own API the JDBC API that uses JDBC drivers which are written in java language (hence, platform independent and secure). A secure and platform independent connectivity to database is always preferred in software development.
Using the given technologies provided by Java, one can easily develop more sophisticated software applications. The reason why Java is widely used in Software Development.