Java will have its 26th anniversary in 2021. It has held the top spot as the most widely used programming language for a quarter of a century. Just two languages managed to gain the top position as the most sought coding systems, according to the TIOBE Index, and that’s C and Java programming languages. Java’s extensive history, on the other hand, can be its most significant drawback. In today’s world, the technology quickly becomes obsolete, and programming languages are no exception.
What Is Java?
Java is typically a general-purpose programming language based on the object-oriented programming model and the Write Once Run Anywhere paradigm. It is a programming language that’s used in web, desktop, mobile, and business applications.
Java is also suitable for decentralized, cloud-based solutions due to its cross-platform nature. It’s mostly suggested as the primary technology if you offer anything as a service, whether it be software, infrastructure, or a platform.
Pros and cons of java software development
Many experts consider Java one of the most powerful programming languages ever invented. Only a few technologies can claim to have remained relevant for longer than two decades. Today, we’ll look at the numerous advantages and some disadvantages of java development — the time-honored platform with the distinctive steaming cup-of-coffee symbol and a language that many programmers cherish today.
The pros of Java
- Java is object-oriented
Java allows you to create standard programs and codes that may be reused. Java is based on OOP (object-oriented programming), a programming paradigm in which you define the kind of data and its typical structure and the set of methods that will be applied to it. As a result, your data structure is transformed into an object that may be used to construct relationships between other objects.
- It’s a simple programming language.
Java is typically a simple language to learn and utilize, making it suitable for beginners. Because Java code is simple to read, comprehend, and debug, you can get started to write efficient applications faster. Java employs automated memory allocation and garbage collection, making it the perfect choice if your project has a tight schedule.
- Java is secure
When it comes to designing applications, security is crucial. Because it eliminates explicit pointers, Java decreases security risks. Since pointers hold the memory addresses of other values, they are prone to illegal memory access. On the other hand, this programming language includes an application security manager that allows developers to establish the restrictions for every class’s access.
- High-level programming language
Java is both a high-level and a human-readable programming language. It’s equivalent to human language and has a fundamental and easy-to-maintain syntax that’s similar to the C++ languages but more straightforwardly. Unlike high-level languages that mimic machine codes, low-level languages must be transformed using interpreters or compilers. This streamlines development by making writing, reading, and maintaining a language easier.
- It is platform-independent
Java code may function on any system without the need for any additional software, but the JVM must be installed. Java’s slogan (the catchy phrase) is (WORA) “Write Once, Run Anywhere.” Programmers can create cross-platform programs using the WORA approach. This implies that you can use Java to create cross-platform software that works on both Windows and Linux.
- Java is economical and cheap to maintain
Because Java applications require specific hardware resources to run, they are inexpensive to design and manage. We can quickly deploy them on any system, saving money on maintenance.
- Multi-threaded programming language
Multi-threaded CPUs allow modern computers to run many processes simultaneously, provided your program was developed to make use of this functionality. A thread is usually the smallest unit of computing, and Java allows programmers to execute several threads at the same time to get the most out of CPU time (multithreading). Since Java is a multi-threaded language, you may create apps that perform numerous tasks simultaneously, increasing overall efficiency.
The cons of Java
- Performance issues
Java consumes more memory and runs slower than native languages like C and C++. Although one of Java’s most incredible features is the write once and run anywhere code, it’s also one of its significant shortcomings. There will always be a performance issue since code must be interpreted by the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) at run time. It also contains a garbage collector functionality, which, while beneficial, can create substantial performance drops because it uses a considerable amount of CPU time.
- It doesn’t have the attractive looks and feel of the GUI.
Although there are numerous GUI designers in Java for generating graphical interfaces, they aren’t ideal for creating complex user interfaces. When utilizing them, there are several inconsistencies. There are numerous prominent frameworks such as Swing, JavaFX, SWT, and JSF for building GUIs. However, they are not yet well developed enough to provide a complicated user interface. Selecting one that is appropriate for you may necessitate extra research.
- Oracle licensing
For commercial developers, Oracle launched a new commercial license model in 2019. Conversely, for people with general-purpose computing needs, the latest version of Java is free. Developers will have to pay a monthly subscription fee to access public upgrades for Java 8 (or later). Thus, the total cost of developing Java apps will rise as a result of this.
Conclusion
In comparison to the disadvantages of Java, there are more benefits. However, despite Java’s cons, it is one of the most widely used programming languages in the computer industry due to its platform independence, maintainability, and security. Because of its safety and stability, many organizations continue to use Java engineers, and in many applications, this programming language is the first choice. Java remains at the top of the most-wanted IT technology list because its pros outweigh the cons. However, this does not imply that it can be used in every situation. Before picking it, think about the project you want to undertake and check whether it matches the job.
