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2.4 FEATURES OF JAVA
Java is a versatile language and provides many features.
Simple Portable
Object-Oriented Robust
High-performance Dynamic
Secure Multithreaded
Case Sensitive Distributed
Let us take a look at some of the features provided by Java:
• Simple: Java has relatively simple structure and clearly defined syntax, making it easy to learn and use.
• Case Sensitive: Java is a case-sensitive language. In Java, ‘pay’ and ‘PAY’ are not the same. They are interpreted
differently.
• Object-Oriented: Java follows the principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), which emphasises the
use of classes and objects. This means that Java programs are built around objects that combine both data
(attributes) and functionality (methods), promoting code reusability and modularity.
• Platform Independent/Portable: A Java program can run on any platform without making changes to it, which
means that the same program will run on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, etc.
• Secure: Java is a secure programming language. It enables us to develop virus-free programs. It also provides
different types of authentication techniques which are based on public-key encryption.
• Robust: Java is considered a robust language because it emphasises strong error checking, both at compile
time and runtime. It has automatic garbage collection, memory management, and exception handling, which
reduce the likelihood of system crashes or memory leaks.
• Multithreaded: Java supports multithreading, which allows programs to perform multiple tasks concurrently.
This is particularly useful for applications that require simultaneous operations, such as handling multiple user
requests or performing background tasks without affecting the main process.
• Distributed: Java allows its users to divide a program into many parts and store them in different locations.
These modules can then be accessed by a programmer sitting on any machine running these codes.
• High Performance: Java is high performing language as it uses Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers, which optimise the
bytecode to machine code at runtime, making the execution faster.
• Dynamic: Java is designed to adapt to an evolving environment. It supports dynamic loading of classes and
methods, which allows developers to create adaptable and flexible applications.
2.5 ADVANTAGES OF JAVA
It had many advantages that made it user friendly, such as:
• Machine Independent: It is designed in such a way that it can execute on any computer regardless of the
Operating System installed in it. Thus, we can also say that Java is portable. This is why it became extremely
versatile and sought after language for web development.
• Simple programming language: Scripting, compiling and debugging the java program is simple and easy. It
follows all the qualities of object-oriented programming such as creating modular programs and reusable code.
• Multi-functional language: Different types of applications can be developed using Java. Command-line
programs, Applets, Swing windows (GUI widget toolkit) are some of the types.
• Economical to maintain: Developing and maintenance of these programs are cheap as we can execute them
on any computer with any Operating System.
• Automatic Garbage Collection: Automatic memory management in Java instructs Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
to remove unused objects automatically when not required.
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