What Is Java

Java is a powerful object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in 1991 to solve a number of problems with current languages. Java provides the programmer solutions to common Web problems. Java was heavily influenced by C++, but differs from C++ in some fundamental ways. Java has dropped backward compatibility with C making it simple and portable.

HotJava is a browser designed by Sun using Java and was the first to support the Java language. HotJava can download and run applets on a user's system. Applets appear in Web pages and are both dynamic and interactive. Applets can be used to create animations, games and interactive effects. Although HotJava was the first browser to support Java, other companies such as Netscape and Microsoft were quick to follow.

It is important to remember that Java is a powerful programming language in its own right and can be used to accomplish the same tasks as languages such as C or C++.

Next article