Lot to know about web development in Java

Java is everywhere: Java is only language in earth having their presence everywhere starting from a transistor machine to large scale applications for different enterprises. It is not just limited to some specific applications rather it is being used for a wide range of applications. Desktop applications, hardware application and web applications all are under the hood of Java. It is the most popular language in the industry due to its exceptional quality and reliability of programming.

Why is Java Considered for Banking Applications?

Unlike the technology firms, banks and financial institutions are very conservative about deciding the programming language to develop applications. There are also many instances when banks have to compensate customers to minor defects in their applications. But a number of reports have highlighted that Java is being used widely as a high performance programming language for building a wide variety of mission critical financial applications. There are also several reasons why Java is considered by many organizations for creating banking applications.

Will Java 8 Adoption Rate Increase Amongst Developers?

Its design and programming features make Java one of the most popular computer programming languages. Despite being easy to learn and use, Java is platform independent, object oriented, multithreaded, robust and secure. Java also comes with networking capabilities to facilitate distributed computing. The developers can further write applications in Java SE 8 to avail a set of new features at the language as well as JVM level. Since its release in March 2014, the adoption rate of Java 8 is growing gradually among developers across the world. An increasing number of developers are switching to the most recent version of Java to avail several innovative features.

Best Performance Software Testing tools in Java

There are a number of tools available in the market that evaluates the performance of the Java based applications along with their load stress capability. These evaluation tools or testing tools, as they are called, guarantee that the performance of the application during peak traffic time as well as under extreme stress remains unperturbed and optimal. Let us discuss some of the best of these tools.

Java for E-Commerce business - Is it good?

The computing platform, Java is independent, secure as well as robust, ensuring high performance. This network savvy, portable as well as architecturally neutral language uses automatic memory management. The programming language can be used to develop ecommerce applications easily due to the several feature sets that make it an effective ecommerce platform. It is platform-independent, network-aware, multi-threaded as well as object-oriented which make it really flexible. Near about any platform can be used for its running. Some of the reasons that have made it suitable for ecommerce business are discussed here.

Java 2 Enterprise Edition- Also known as J2EE, it has proved to be a revolutionary influence in the arena of e-commerce. Strong server side application can be build through the robust and solid solution of J2EE. The technology is fully-able and is extremely beneficial as a development tool. Some of the tools included in it that helps in this respect are Servlets, JSPs or Java Server Pages, Enterprise JavaBeans or EJB, JNDI or Java Naming and Directory Interface, JDBC or Java Database Connectivity, JTA, JMS along with Java Mail.

No programmatic configuration of navigation- To set navigation, a specified pattern has to be implemented which can be really complicated as well as a time-consuming process. But when you are using JSF, all the complicated procedures can be avoided altogether. The framework handles the navigation entirely. All that is needed is to associate page views, URL patterns as well as logical outcomes together by using Faces configuration file. Developers can also follow another method- using the implicit navigation feature of JSF 2.0 that forwards requests automatically to a view having the same name as that of the requested URL pattern.

Good templating support- The Facelets technology can be used for templating and it helps maximize markup reuse so that redundancy in page views can be reduced. It also allows the preparation of views through standard XHTML syntax. It allows easy creation of template layout which is common for all page views. In fact the views can be rendered with the insertion of content that is view-specific in the template.

Neutral platform- Several kinds of communications are required in ecommerce and there is a lot of data that changes hands. For the interaction of so many various kinds of systems and platform, you need a neutral standard platform that helps in this data exchange. This requirement can be filled up with XML or eXtensible Markup Language. It is quite crucial; the role of Java here is that it provides a great support to XML which combines well with this programming language.

Validation support is in-built- Server side validation support is provided by JSF. All validation can be performed by creation of validator class as well as logic that is manually coded. The server-side validation will occur automatically by virtue of JSF at the particular phase.

View rendered with several markup languages- The API technology boasts of flexible rendering that enables the attaching of several renderers to component tree of an application that is JSF-enabled. Thus custom components can be created.

Server support- Java is supported by several application servers like IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, etc which are full of different types of features. Now, any one of them can be easily chosen due to the support extended.

Labour division well-defined- A huge advantage of this technology is that there is a clean separation between presentation and behaviour of web apps. This is especially great for large projects since it provides separate development areas where various team members can focus differently.

Ecommerce developers prefer Java over any other platform since it offers a number of benefits in areas such as security, ease of use, portability, flexibility and accessibility. It is present at both server as well as client sides and coupled with its efficacy this makes for an unmatched killer combination.

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What is the Future of Java Web Development?

As a concurrent and powerful programming language, Java enables developers to run their code on multiple platforms without recompilation. Java is currently reported to be used by over nine million developers to client-server web application development. While releasing Java 8 officially, Oracle called it as “the Most Significant Upgrade to the Java Programming Model Ever.” Oracle even delayed the release of the most anticipated version of the programming language to make it meet the ongoing and upcoming trends in web application development. The new features will definitely contribute towards increasing the increasing the popularity and market share of Java in the future.

Key Java 8 Features Web Developers were Looking for

Lambdas

Lambdas or closures are the most prominent feature of Java 8. The programmers can use lambdas to treat functionality as a method argument, treat code as data, and accomplish certain task by using concepts they are familiar with. Oracle has further designed lambdas after detailed discussion with the community of developers. Lambdas can be simply represented as a list of parameter separated using commas. However, developers have emerged the concept of functional interface by making existing functionality of the programming language lambda-friendly.

Extended Interface Declarations
The updates version of Java further uses default and static methods to extend the interface declarations. Despite making interfaces similar to traits, default method helps developers in accomplishing a different goal. They can use the method to add new methods to an existing interface without affecting the code’s binary compatibility with over versions of the interface. On the other hand, the abstract method can be user to accomplish these tasks without being implemented. As the default implementation needs to be provided by each interface, the implementers can inherit it by default.

StampedLocks
Often developers find it daunting to write multi-threaded code. They also have to use complex idioms to the core Java libraries to access the required resources by reducing the thread wait. Java 8 comes with StampedLock, a new and improved ReadWriteLock that works more quickly. However, the new ReadWriteLock is complex, and the programmers have to put some efforts to implement the concept properly.

Process Termination
When a web application has to launch an external process, its performance will be affected hugely when the process hangs, crashes or consumes 100% CPU. The developers have to debug the web application again to make it run smoothly. But Java 8 comes with the Process class that allows developers to manage these unruly processes smoothly by using the isAlive() and destroyForcibly() methods. The isAlive() method can be used to check if the external process is still alive, whereas the destroyForcibly() method will kill the timed-out process forcibly.

Controlling OS Processes
The JNI calls make it easier for developers to launch OS process from within the code. But there are always chances that the OS process may fetch unexpected results or affect the functionality of the internet application. Once a process is launched within the Java code, it tends to dangle. Java 8 enables developers to control the OS processes launched within the code efficiently by using three new methods. Along with checking if the process is alive and killing a process forcibly, the programmers can further use the method to specific amount of time they want the web application to wait for the process to be completed.

Repeating Annotations
Java 8 allows programmers to use annotation in any context. Now they have option to use annotations for almost everything in their code including generic types, local variables, super classes, interface implementation, parameter declaration, and declaration of method’s exceptions. The extended usage of annotation makes Java 8 friendlier for instrumentation tools and static analysis. However, the programmers have to decide when to use annotations according to the nature and needs of the code.

There are also a number of features that make Java 8 a powerful programming language for web application development. Some of these Java 8 features will further make it easier for developers to build large and complex internet applications within a stipulated time frame.

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Ways to enhance security of Java web applications

Through web applications, end users are provided with client access for server functionality. Mostly the applications enforce intuitive, simple security policies. However, despite that recently there have been a number of attacks on them like cookie theft, cross-site scripting, browser hijacking, session riding, etc. So it is high time that we rethink the security strategy of web applications and enhance it so that it becomes harder for security breaches to take place.

Input validation- This ensures that whatever data is entered by the users or has been derived as input from applications is without any security hazards and clean. This is a very critically secure coding practice which should be implemented. The design of web applications aims to perform functions or set of functions according to user input. Generally those who attack are also users and commonly the applications used by them do not validate input since they enter arbitrary inputs to successfully perform attacks. Malicious file execution may also result due to lack of input validation. So applications should have inherent capability to validate input for protection against attacks.

Defence in depth- This defence strategy for computer systems aims towards building multiple protection layers so that possible attackers may be isolated from whatever you need to protect. To make this system more secure the approach should be combination of factors that can hinder the accessing attacker from the target; the goal should be made costly so that it proves to be unworthy for him.

Mechanism economy- This principle is a very important one and is often known as Keep It Simple, Stupid or KISS in short. This is due to the fact that architects as well as developers keep this in mind when building solutions so that they are focused on the main problem. This helps in the reduction of possibilities of attackers finding ways of accessing the application which are not foreseen or tested.

Rules validation as well as data entry- These must be performed in back end always even if the validation has already been done at front end. For web applications, input validation must be performed by using JavaScript. Validating rules both on front as well as back end allows you to have an environment which you can completely control regarding what may be or may not be allowed.

Enforcing minimum privileges- Each user and each program must be operating within the minimum privileges that are needed for their capability to perform the related duties. When this principle is followed, the damage that may arise from security breaches is limited so that the interactions between the system components may be reduced to minimum. This facilitates access control and audits case of failures or errors.

Setting standards-based fault- This helps in preparation of architecture and functionality so that decisions may be based on permission instead of exclusion. An example of this is using white lists and not black lists.

Using manifest attributes- A large number of manifest attributes helps ensure that your Java applet or application’s security is not compromised. Permissions attribute may be used for ensuring of the permission level being requested by the application to be exactly what has been specified in JNLP file or applet tag for invoking of applications. Codebase may be used to restrict JAR file’s code base to specified domains. To identify locations where the application may be found, you can use application-library-allowable-codebase. You can also identify domains from where calls may be made to the application by JavaScript code; this helps deny access of unknown JavaScript code to the application.

When considering the security aspects of Java applications one thing that should be kept in mind is that security should be implemented at every level of an application. It may not be possible for us to have applications that are 100% secure but implementing a certain amount of security measure will help eliminate some basic risks.

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Why is Java considered as the most secure language?

The development language called Java is used mainly for the creation of software which may be used regularly. Most people have downloaded some program or the other that requires Java runtime. The design of the platform puts strong emphasis on the security factor. The core of the language is type-safe, providing automatic garbage collection to enhance the application code’s robustness. A verification mechanism and secure class loading ensures the execution of legitimate Java codes only. Initially the platform version resulted in the creation of safe environment to run codes that are potentially untrusted like Java applets that have been downloaded from public networks. With the widening as well as growth of the range of deployment, there has been corresponding evolvement of its security architecture so that a bigger range of services can be supported. The architecture constitutes of a large number of tools, APIs as well as algorithms, protocols and mechanisms that may be implemented.

The platform has a set of APIs that span major security areas counting public key infrastructure, cryptography, secure communication, access control as well as authentication.

Public Key Infrastructure- PKI for short, this refers to a framework which enables secure information exchange through public key cryptography. Identities are bound to digital certificates, providing a means to verify authenticity of certificates. Certificates, keys, trusted Certification Authorities which generate as well digitally sign certificates and public key encryptions are encompassed by PKI. It has two tools in-built called keytool which is used for the creation as well as management of key stores and jarsigner which is used for signing or verifying signatures of JAR files.

Cryptography- This framework helps to access as well as develop cryptographic functionality. There are some APIs which render many kinds of cryptographic services that include symmetric bulk encryption, message digest algorithm, symmetric stream encryption, digital signature algorithm, elliptic curve cryptology, password based encryption, key generators, key agreement algorithms and message authentication codes.

Secure communication- Data travelling across network is susceptible to security risks since anybody can access it; it is especially a risky business if the data is concerned with private information like credit card numbers or passwords. So the data must be made unintelligible so that unauthorized parties cannot understand it. You should also ensure that the data is being sent to the appropriate party without any intentional or unintentional modification during transport. For the best secure communication, cryptography acts as a base through SSL/TLS, SASL, Kerberos and GSS-API.

Access control- This ensures that the Java platform is protected from access to sensitive application code or sensitive resources. A security manager mediates all decisions for access control. APIs that help in this process are permissions, access control enforcement and policy.

Authentication- The process helps in the determination of a user’s identity when a Java program is being executed. Sometimes login module plug-ins while in some cases cryptography related services, are needed for authentication.

Bytecode- After successful java program compilation, a class file is generated by java compiler with .class extension containing the program’s Bytecodes. The generated Bytecodes are secure which may be run on any JVM containing machine. There is a verifier which is invoked so as to ensure the execution of just legitimate bytecodes in Java runtime. It ensures that bytecodes and Java language conform to each other so that namespace restrictions or rules are not violated. Verifier also looks for stack overflows or underflows, memory management violations as well as illegal data typecasts. After verification, the execution may be conducted.

Java is often considered as the most secure language amongst all other languages. However, still some people feel that it is not secure since the plug-ins pose some problems. In fact, they certainly do that, but the inherent nature of the language is very secure. The security infrastructure is very strong with so many APIs and tools which contribute towards making it more secure than many other languages.

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Some of the biggest myths about Java

Java’s first version was launched in 1995 and since then several versions have been launched after fixing bugs as well as making improvements. Despite, being in the industry for such a long time, there are a lot of myths associated with Java since there are many people who will believe exactly what they want to believe, ignoring all better judgement. There have been much speculations, discussions as well as arguments related to various aspects of Java. This article aims to bust a few common myths that are associated with this language in the minds of people.

It is slow- A few people feel that this is slow in the start-up times, especially when compared with C++ or simple PHP applications. The applications may take some time for loading but the same can be said for .NET or other such big libraries. However, the latest Java update ensures that the loading time is much faster in comparison to the previous models. There is no point in comparing it to other programs as each has its own individual set of problems associated. C++ is the fastest but Java can be said to be faster than many other languages.

It is dead- This is said by a few since it has been in the industry for almost two decades and its last major release had been quite some time back. However, it is not fair to assume that it is dead just because of that since similar instances of no major releases can be found in C++ or Microsoft Windows. Other languages may evolve quite fast but you must remember that these languages are quite new, so they need much polishing to be done. Some people also cite that the language’s popularity is slipping through some indexes or statistics. But if investigated properly then it may be seen that these surveys are actually incomplete. They do not show the full truth, just investigate a few parameters.

Your hard drive may be read and files deleted by applets- The truth is that when applets attempt to access any local file, then a SecurityException will be thrown. The applets will crash if it is uncaught but without any file access occurring. Digitally signed applets that are granted with additional privileges, is the sole exception to this. A dialog box will be displayed by your browser to ask whether the applet author’s identity is accepted or not. If unsure it is best to choose no, to be safe.

Applets cannot be relied upon as differences in Internet Explorer and Netscape does not make writing stable applets a stable proposition- Different JVMs, various versions and kinds of browsers result in the varying behaviours of running applets. The users as well as developers may find the differences frustrating but the best solution for this is using single JVM to use across all browsers. This can be achieved by virtue of Java Plug-in which can bypass the JVM of browser to use its own, resulting in uniform performance.

Web browser is a must-have as Java cannot run without it- There are several forms of the code. Users are mostly familiar with applet running inside web browsers. But it is very simple to run Java application like normal programs. All you have to do is install JVM from some vendor to run the programs. A web server often runs Java servlets which may be termed as replacements for ASP or Active Server Pages as well CGI scripts. These are quite fast in fact and more efficient that CGI scripts.

Many people do not realize it, but there is a lot of potential in the language. There is more to the software than just applets. They are quite secure and hard drive will not be deleted. In case of any problem, installing plug-ins will help you solve them.

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Java - The Reason Behind Its Never Ending Demand

Java is the most heard programming languages since 1995. It was developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems which was later promoted by the Oracle company. It has object oriented programming concepts and used in a variety of computing platforms from embedded devices and mobile phones on the low end, to enterprise servers and supercomputers on the high end. Java has reached all kinds of Smartphones, smart applications, enterprise applications. Java is completely platform independent can run on any machine as long as the Java Virtual machine (JVM) is installed in it. But let us understand what makes java application development so popular.

Java is popular and has got a huge fan community because of its exclusive features:

1. Java is portable as Java code can execute on all major platforms. It has three types of portability: source code portability, CPU architecture portability and OS/GUI portability. Running a java program on different machines can require different amounts of work (for example, no work whatsoever, recompiling, or making small changes to the source code). When people refer to Java applications and applets as portable, they usually mean the applications and applets run on different types of machines with no changes. Programs written in Java are converted to byte code compiled into machine code during run time by the Just In Time compiler or JIT. Java runtime is used for Java applications and applets.
2. A series of activities like threading, networking and even graphical features via applets. It has got microcontrollers capable of running a Java program without the presence of an interface.
3. Java deals uniquely with memory management feature. Its garbage collector frees the memory from objects which are not required or which will not be required. In order to check whether an object is required or not its recent references are checked. If the object is not being referenced anymore it frees up the space automatically.
4. It is free, users need not struggle for heavy license each year. Java's API can be easily accessed by developers.
5. Java embraced the concept of exception specifications. It allows you to create modular programs and reusable codes.

Another great benefit of JAVA is that, the ones the program is in writing in java we can run it anywhere means that applications developed through Java are platform independent. JAVA based enterprise applications perform well because of stable JAVA standards help developers to conceive multilevel applications with a component based approach.

It has some advanced unique features with makes it more effective and delivers customized and highly interactive sites. It is obtainable with the very best established of APIs turning it less complicated for Java builders to create application codes no cost of bugs. This is not feasible in another programming language. This facility can make the procedure of application advancement less complicated and much less-pricey.

Java is a great language has some amazing uses that cover a wide industrial spectrum by its expertise. It is fast, powerful and runs on any platform. It became an awesome choice for developer and software vendors to develop high quality complex applications and software. Development of business and enterprise application development was a bit complex at that time but after the arrival of advanced java and J2ee it helped a lot. It helps in developing multitier enterprise applications which makes more demands. Build secure and advanced applications with Java which suits your business needs at its best.

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