History of Java

• Originally called Oak

• Designed to allow digital devices to communicate with computers

• First released in 1995 and used for internet applications

• Now found in mobile phones, handheld devices, game systems, navigation systems

• The foundation for the Android programming language

How Java Works

• The code you write is saved as a java program (*.java)

• Java programs are compiled to bytecode files (*.class)

• Bytecode is interpreted by a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and converted into machine code

• The JVM must exist on the computer for the code to run

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Easy to learn

• Object Oriented (allows modular and reusable code)

• Platform Independent

Disadvantages

• Performance

• Verbose (also an advantage!)