It was a break through! A programming language that would change how the people of the world experienced their day to day lives and that language was Java. Java was the brain child of James Gosling and his team – it began life as a programming language that was way too advanced for its time for its original concept – but it was just in time for the Internet boom and this is how we all come to recognise the name Java even if some of us do not know what it actually does.
Java is the programming language that enables all our everyday digital devices and computers to communicate – it really has changed the world. Java is no longer just the language of the Internet it is the language of our mobile phones and other hand-held technology. The language was developed from C and C++ computer language – but it is simpler. Simpler in terms of the reduced dependency it requires for it to operate – in other words it does not need a specific computer or device is just requires a Java Virtual Machine and it will operate perfectly on a device. Underpinning Java was the idea of WORA – Write Once Run Anywhere – the idea was ground-breaking – the language could be used to operate most prevalent platforms.
As with other programming languages Java developed and an updated version was launched in 1999 called simply Java 2. It was however not a simple update – with Java 2 came multiple configurations enabling Java to not only to run with the Internet and web pages it could now be used with multiple and different platforms and with different versions of Java 2 different applications could utilise the language for instance mobile applications.
What is amazing about Java is that originally it was a no-cost programming language – quite remarkable considering its sudden popularity. As with any developing technology however Java did start making a profit through selling licenses for more specified products. Java has really changed our world and since 2006 it has been released as open source software and since 2007 as a completely free of charge software. Sun Microsystems the company that provided the world with Java has now been taken over by Oracle Corporation but Oracle maintain Java is for the world.
Java is now not only an Internet language it is a behind the scenes power that operates our mobile phones, hand held gaming devices and GPS devices. It is not seen by many, not known by some and yet is everywhere we turn in our technologically led lives. Java has been a tremendous gift to the world – thank goodness for James Gosling and his team – their programming language has transformed everything we do from controlling the television to entertaining ourselves with our hand held devices. If you ever wonder how we can all communicate you can bet that Java has something, somewhere to do with it.