1. What is Java used for?
Java is utilized in various domains. It's prevalent in Android operating systems and open-source Linux, powering millions of mobile devices globally. Additionally, Java, along with a plethora of specialized libraries, forms the foundation for mobile applications built on its platform.
You might not even realize you're using Java on your computer screen. All applications, from popular games like Minesweeper to integrated development environments like Eclipse (widely used by developers for various languages and platforms), run on Java. Java also has niche applications for the web. Despite Java applets no longer being the standard for interactive web applications after advancements in JavaScript and HTML, many still use Java to enhance the interactive experience on web browsers.
While Java is not as commonly used today for designing and building interfaces for websites, it remains the predominant language behind web pages and web applications. Through the features of enterprise Java and open-source Java application support such as WildFly and Apache Tomcat, Java boasts a rich ecosystem of tools to connect potential applications, aiding in the operation and maintenance of some of the largest websites today.
2. Is Java Open Source?
The licensing issue surrounding Java is a long and intricate tale. However, today, most core components of Java are open source, and the components requiring open licenses have now been replaced.
Sun, the original developer of Java, placed the majority of Java components under the GNU General Public License in 2006. Projects like IcedTea have also been undertaken to fill the void left by the absence of an open license for the Java programming language development toolkit. This means we can run Java applications without resorting to any proprietary code.
Here, Mytour has introduced you to some of the most basic information about Java. We hope that after reading the article, you will gain more knowledge and appreciation for this programming language. Furthermore, you can learn more about ECMA Script here.