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Java Tutorial - Introduction


Java is one of the most popular and important programming language in the world. Due to its distinct features, it is the most widely used language in every corner of the world and human life. From software and web applications to robotics, Java has become the most wanted language in today’s times.


What make Java distinguishable ?

There are many features of Java which makes it so different from other programming languages. As a result, it has become a must in software and hardware industries.

Let's have a look at some of those features.

  • Simple - It is designed to be easy to learn.
  • Object-oriented - In Java, everything is based around Object which has some data and behaviour. Java can be easily extended as it is based on Object Model.
  • Platform independent - This means that the same program works on any platform (operating system) without needing any modification.
  • Robust - Robust means strong. Java is a robust management as it has a feature of automatic garbage collection and memory management.
  • Portable - Programs written in Java are portable i.e., programs written for one type of computer or operating system can be run on another type of computer or operating system.
  • High-performance - Java enables high performance with the use of just-in-time compilers.

Applications of Java

Java is not only used in software but is also widely used in designing hardware controlling software components. According to Sun, 3 billion devices run Java.

Following are some of the usage of Java :

  • Desktop Applications such as acrobat reader, media player, antivirus etc.
  • Web Applications
  • Mobile Operating System like Android
  • Embedded System
  • Robotics
  • Banking applications
  • Games

JDK, JRE and JVM

Before moving forward, let's first understand the three terminologies - JDK, JRE and JVM.

After writing any program in Java, we need to compile and run it to see the output of the program.

When we write any program in Java language, it needs to be converted to machine language so that the computer can understand and execute it. This conversion is known as compiling and we compile a code with the help of the compiler.

Let's look at another term - platform. A platform is the hardware or software environment in which a program runs.

Unlike other programming languages such as C, C++, etc which are platform dependent, Java is a platform independent language. Platform dependent languages mean that the program written for one operating system can only run on that operating system. This means that a code written in Linux can only be run on a computer having Linux. A Java program on the other hand, can be run on any operating system.

Java Development Kit (JDK)

Java Developer Kit contains tools such as compilers needed to develop the Java programs. A Compiler converts Java code into bytecode.

Java Virtual machine (JVM)

It is a virtual machine that runs the Java bytecodes. The JVM doesn't understand Java source code (the language in which we write Java programs), so first, the source code is compiled into bytecode which can be understood by the JVM. The JVM provides a platform-independent way of executing code, thus making Java platform independent.

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Java Runtime Environment contains JVM, class libraries, and other supporting files. Actually, JVM runs the program and it uses the class libraries and other supporting files provided in JRE. If you want to run any Java program, you need to have JRE installed in the system


How to Start ?

Once our Java program has been written, it needs to be compiled and run. As Java is platform independent, a Java program written in any operating system can be run on all the operating systems. Now let's learn how to run a Java program on different operating systems.

Windows

Here, we will talk about running a Java code using NetBeans and Command Prompt.

You may need to install the Java Development Kit from their website. You can download it from here.

NetBeans

1. Download and start NetBeans IDE.

2. In the IDE, choose File > New File, as shown in the figure below.

open new java file in Netbeans

3. Choose Java class

open new java file in Netbeans

4. Give the class name Hello.

give class name to java file in Netbeans

Then click on Finish.

5. Type your Java code in the Source Editor window and save it (ctrl+s)

class Hello {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

writing codes in java file in Netbeans

6. Now right click on the file and click Run File, the IDE automatically compiles it. You can see Hello World printed on the bottom of the screen.

compling java file in Netbeans

output of java file in Netbeans

Command Prompt

1. Write your Java program ( code given below ) in a text editor like Notepad and save it with a filename with .java extension. In our case, we named it as hello.java.

class Hello {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

2. Open the Command Prompt Window ( search for cmd ).

3. To check if Java is installed, type java -version and press Enter. If Java is installed, you will see a message stating what version of Java is currently installed.

checking java version in cmd

If not, you may need to install the Java Development Kit from their website. You can download it from here.

4. Let's assume that you have installed Java in C:\Program files\Java directory.

Right click on My Computer and select properties.

5. Go to the Advance System Settings tab.

setting path variable in windows

6. Click on the Environment Variables button.

Now alter the path variable so that it also contains the path to the JDK installed directory. Change the variable value to your folder containing Java ( C:\program files\Java\jdk1.8.0_25\bin in our case ).

setting path variable in windows

7. Use the command cd followed by the directory name to change your working directory. For example, if you are operating in C:\Users\John\Project and want to get to C:\Users\John\Project\prog ,then you need to type cd prog and press Enter. ( This directory should contain your previously created Java file ( hello.java in our case )).

8. Once you are in the correct directory in which you have your program, then you can compile and run your program.

To compile, type javac filename.java ( javac hello.java in our case ) and press Enter. Here, our filename is hello.java, so we will write 'javac hello.java'. If it is showing any error, then try to remove that error from your program and then again save and compile your program.

compiling java codes in cmd

9. Once the program is compiled, run the program by typing java classname ( java Hello in our case ) and then pressing Enter. Name of the class is Hello written after class in java file.

run java codes in cmd

We will get the output as follows. Now, you are ready to go for the next chapter.

Linux

For Linux, you can write your Java program in various text editors like vim (or vi), gedit or Emacs. For running your Java program in Linux, follow the steps below.

1. Open Terminal ( ctrl+alt+T ).

If you don't have Java installed in your computer, then first install it. This is a nice tutorial to install java in Ubuntu.

2. Open a new file with .java extension in your favourite text editor ( we are using gedit ). The command is :

gedit hello.java
hello.java is the name of the file.

steps to run Java in Ubuntu

Type the Java code given below and save it.

class Hello {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

3. Then to compile the program type javac filename.java and press Enter. We will be typing javac hello.java.

steps to run Java in Ubuntu

4. To run the program, type java classname ( name of the class is Hello which is written after class in the code ) in the terminal. It will type Hello World on the screen.

steps to run Java in Ubuntu

Pressing Enter will display the output as follows.

Mac

1. Open Terminal.

steps to run Java in Mac

If you don't have Java installed in your computer, then first install it. You can follow this for tutorial on installing Java on Mac.

2. Open a new file with .java extension in your favourite text editor ( we are using VS Code ). The command is :

code hello.java
hello.java is the name of the file.

steps to run Java in Mac

You don't have to use command to open the file, you can simply open a file and name it with .java extension.

Type the Java code given below and save it.

class Hello {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World");
    }
}

3. Then compile the program by typing javac filename.java in the terminal. We will be typing javac hello.java.

steps to run Java in Mac

4. To run the program, type java classname ( name of the class is Hello which is written after class in the code ). It will type Hello World on the screen.

steps to run Java in Mac

Pressing Enter will display the output as follows.

So, now you can write and run Java codes. We will explain the code in the next chapter.


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