Versions of Java

Introduction to Java

Java is a high-level programming language initially created by Sun Microsystems and discharged in 1995. It is a broadly helpful computer programming language that is simultaneous, class-based, object-oriented, and explicitly designed to get usage conditions expected under the circumstances. It is proposed to provide application designers with “write once, run anyplace” (WORA), implying that the aggregated Java code can continue executing all phases that support Java without the prerequisite for recompilation. Any equipment or programming condition where a program runs is known as a platform. Since Java includes a runtime environment (JRE) and API, it is called a platform. This article will cover the different versions of Java with their functionality.

Top 10 Versions of Java with Features

Below we will learn different versions of java with its various features:

1. JDK 1.1 (February 19, 1997)

Features:

• The idea of Inner Class
• JavaBeans
• JDBC
• RMI
• Reshaped AWT event model
• JIT (Just In Time) compiler: Used on Microsoft Windows stages, developed for JavaSoft by Symantec
• Internationalization and Unicode support beginning from Taligent

2. J2SE Version 1.2 (December 8, 1998)

Features:

• Collections structure.
• Java String memory map for constants.
• JIT (Just In Time) compiler.
• Jar Signer for marking Java Archive (JAR) records.
• Policy Tool for allowing access to framework assets.
• Java Foundation Classes (JFC) comprises of Swing 1.0, Drag and Drop, and Java 2D class libraries.
• Java Plug-in
• Scrollable result sets, BLOB, CLOB, user characterized types in JDBC
• Audio help in Applets

3. J2SE Version 1.3 (May 8, 2000)

Features:

• Java Sound
• Jar Indexing
• Huge list of advancements for improving the Java area.

4. J2SE Version 1.4 (February 6, 2002)

Features:

• XML Processing
• Java Print Service
• Logging API
• Java Web Start
• JDBC 3.0 API
• Assertions
• API preferences
• IPv6 Support
• Regular Expressions
• Image I/O API

5. J2SE Version 5.0 (September 30, 2004)

Features:

• Generics
• Enhanced for Loop
• Autoboxing/Unboxing
• Typesafe Enums
• Static Import
• Metadata (Annotations)
• Instrumentation

6. Java Version SE 6 (December 11, 2006)

Features:

• Scripting Language Support
• JDBC 4.0 API
• Java Compiler API
• Pluggable Annotations
• Java GSS, Kerberos and LDAP support
• Incorporated Web Services
• Many more improvements

7. Java Version SE 7 (July 28, 2011)

Features:

• Strings in switch Statement
• Type Inference for Generic Instance Creation
• Different Exception Handling
• Backing for Dynamic Languages
• Attempt with Resources
• Java NIO Package
• Binary Literals underscore in literal
• Null Handling

8. Java Version SE 8 (March 18, 2014)

Features:

• Lambda Expressions
• Pipelines and Streams
• Date and Time API
• Default Methods
• Type Annotations
• Nashhorn JavaScript Engine
• Concurrent Accumulators
• Parallel operations
• TLS SNI

9. Java SE 9 (September 21, 2017)

Features:

• Modularization of the JDK under Project Jigsaw
• Given Money and Currency API
• Reconciliation with JavaFX
• Java usage of reactive streams
• More Concurrency Updates
• Provided Java Linker
• Programmed scaling and measuring

10. Java SE 10 (March 20, 2018)

Features:

• Local Variable Type Inference
• Exploratory Java-Based JIT Compiler incorporates the Graal dynamic compiler for the Linux x64 stage.
• Time-sensitive Release Versioning
• Parallel Full GC for G1
• Garbage collector Interface
• Extra Unicode Language-Tag Extensions
• Root Certificates
• String Local Handshakes
• Remove the Native-Header Generation Tool – java
• Combine the JDK Forest into a Single Repository.

What is Java?

• Java is Object-Oriented: Java can be successfully improved since it relies upon the Object model.
• Platform Independent: Unlike various other programming languages like C and C++, when Java is assembled, it isn’t arranged into platform explicit machines but instead into platform-independent free-byte code. Byte code is distributed over the internet and interpreted by the JVM on whichever stage it is being continued running on.
• Simple: You can easily learn Java if you understand the basic concept of object-oriented programming.
• Secure: With Java’s safe feature, it empowers to creation of virus-free frameworks. Authentication procedures depend on open key encryption.
• Architecture impartial: The compiler of the Java language creates an impartial architecture object, which provides the code assembled on numerous processors, with the nearness of the Java runtime framework.
• Robust: Java tries to wipe out mistake-inclined circumstances by fundamentally emphasizing on compile-time and runtime checking.
• Multithreaded: By using Java’s multithreaded concept, it is conceivable to compose programs that can execute numerous tasks simultaneously. This feature enables the designers to build associated applications that can execute easily.
• Interpreted: Byte code is made an interpretation on the fly to local machine directions and isn’t put away anywhere. The development procedure is increasingly fast and scientific since connecting is a linking and transparent operation.
• High Performance: By using the utilization of Just-In-Time compilers, Java empowers high-speed execution.
• Distributed: Java is intended for the appropriate condition of the web.
• Dynamic: Java is viewed as more powerful than C or C++ because it is intended to adjust to a developing environment. The programs can convey a broad measure of run-time data that can be utilized to check and resolve gets to objects on run-time.

As indicated by Sun, 3 billion gadgets run Java language. There are numerous gadgets where Java is now utilized. Some of them are as per the following:

• Work area applications include acrobat reader, media player, antivirus, and so on.
• Web Applications, for example, irctc.co.in, and many more.
• Enterprise Applications, for example, banking applications.
• Mobile
• Installed/Embedded System
• Smart Card
• Mechanical autonomy
• Games, and so on.

Types of Java Applications

Below are the different types of java applications:

1. Standalone Application

Independent/Standalone applications are work area applications or window-based applications. Instances of independent applications are Media players, antivirus, and so on. AWT and Swing are utilized in Java for making independent applications.

2. Web Application

An application running on the server side and making a dynamic page is known as a web application. At present, Servlet, JSP, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, JSF, and other technologies are utilized to make Java web applications.

3. Enterprise Application

An application that is allocated in nature, for example, banking applications and so on, is called an undertaking application. It has the advantages of abnormal state security, load adjusting, and grouping. In Java, EJB is utilized for making enterprise applications.

4. Mobile Application

An application made for cell phones is known as a mobile application. At present, Android and Java ME are utilized for making mobile applications.

Conclusion – Versions of Java

Java is an object-oriented, class-based, simultaneous, verified, and universally useful computer programming language. Developers can create applications on your computer. Java projects are translated by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which keeps running on various platforms. This implies all Java programs are multiplatform.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Versions of Java. Here we have discussed different versions of Java with its features and types of java applications in detail. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

1.  Java Compilers
2. Best Java IDE
3. Template in Java
4. Java Literals