What are the Main Features of Java?

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Java is one of the most important programming languages out there. It allows intense flexibility and development of various types of applications, letting developers write cross-platform code. This means code can be run on different machines and devices irrespective of the platform or architecture. Over the years, Java has experienced consistent development and efficiency.

Here are the main features of Java that make it so popular and well-loved by programmers around the world.

A Simple Interface

Java, unlike C and C++, offers a user-friendly, simple interface that’s clean and easy to understand. It eradicates complex features found in low-level procedural languages like storage classes, multiple inheritances, operator overloading, pointers, and more.

It also offers an automatic garbage collection, making the removal of unreferenced objects super simple.

Compiled and Interpreted

Programming languages are usually either compiled or interpreted. Java, on the other hand, integrates the power of both. Java compiler (javac) compiles the source code into bytecode, and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) executes this bytecode, making the code executable on cross platforms.

a programmer working on different monitors

a programmer working on different monitors

 

It’s Platform Independent

The most significant feature of Java is that it provides cross-platform coding. This makes it super flexible and portable. A Java program can be compiled on any machine without requiring any change. Java does this by using the concept of Byte code, where the compiler never converts source code into machine code as traditional programming languages do.

Java code can be written on any environment and run on another environment without issues.

It’s Portable

Java’s portability comes from its brilliant architecture neutrality. All you need to run a java code is a compliant JVM — the hardware doesn’t matter. So, any changes or updates in Windows, UNIX, Solaris, and Mac will not directly impact Java programs.

Object-Oriented Programming

Java also supports OOP, making it a pure object-oriented language. You can use OOP features like encapsulation, abstraction, and inheritance easily in Java. Plus, everything in Java is already an object. It also comes with a set of inheritable classes organized in Java packages.

Robust

Java is a robust language. It handles run-time errors, supports exception handling, has an automatic garbage collector, and doesn’t use pointers. It also has a strong memory management system that helps check code and eliminate errors during the compilation and running.

Secure

Security is integral for every programming language. Java supports access modifiers to ensure no viruses enter an applet and checks the memory allocation at the same time. It’s more secure than C and C++ as it doesn’t allow the creation of pointers (that can access random memory bits).

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