Listing the features that Java 9 holds

Oracle has recently announced the features of Java 9. An upgraded version Java 8, it will consist of many new capabilities, performance tweaks as well as modularity as its most crucial aspects. The first set of Enhancement Proposals known as JEPs have also been announced. These constitute a new process that provides the scope for development and further explore the features for Java language as well as the virtual machine that does not demand an entire process of specification. It makes the scope of the JEPs smaller and targeted more than before as well as results in tackling the issues that are specific to implementing the open JDK.

Java Versions - Features & Enhancements

As a hugely popular programming language, Java does not require any introduction. The programming language is object-oriented, concurrent and class-based. Java is also designed specifically to minimal implementation dependencies. The programmers can write the Java code once, and run it on multiple platforms without recompilation. However, the programming language is being updated at frequent intervals with additional classes and new features. So while learning Java, the programmers must be familiar with the history of Java versions.

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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Top Pros and Cons of Java development Platform

No one can deny the contribution of Java toward transforming the web. With thousands of websites and web application running on Java platform, it has remained popular over many years. But the popularity of Java is impacted by the emergence of new web application development platforms and tools. Despite offering loads of advantages, the platform also suffers from several limitations. But a developer still has several options to reap the rich features and benefits of the language by overcoming the lacunas.

According to a report related to annual largest Java developer conference posted on Ixonos.com, “Despite challenges Java still has a strong position as an enterprise software development platform. It has potential to grow as a viable ecosystem and technical platform also in the future. Oracle has been taking decisive steps to move the platform forward. But it’s not just Oracle’s Java: a lot of organizations and individuals have invested in the platform more collaboratively than before.”

As a new generation developer has options to choose from several application development frameworks, he can easily evaluate the pros and cons of each platform. It is also important to choose a development platform that completely complements the nature and requirements of the project. So a programmer can always compare the pros and cons of Java as a development platform to take the right decision.

Advantages of Java as a Development Platform

Open Source: Unlike other web application development platforms, Java is open source and free. So a company can easily use the technology without paying any licensing fees. With companies frequently exploring option to reduce project costs, Java has been popular among them for a long time. Also, many companies will continue to use Java as they have already invested in the technology.

Cross Browser Compatible: Developers often decide a web application development platform by keeping in mind the latest trends in technologies. Many companies opt for cross platform technologies to easily target users regardless of their choice of operating system and web browser. As a cross platform technology Java uses Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to translate the original code into byte codes, and then compile it to machine level languages based on the operating system. The feature makes it easier for programmers to build application to target major operating systems and browsers.

Easy to Develop Complex Applications: The frequent changes in user demands have made it essential for companies to launch applications that are both dynamic and powerful. Also, each application has to be complex to meet the varying needs of individual users. As an object oriented language, Java allows users to build complex applications without putting any extra time and effort. The stack and array classes help them in building rapid prototypes, whereas the garbage collection enable programmers to avoid using any interpreters. The features further make it easier to develop complex application without writing lengthy code.

Easy to Learn: The programmers familiar with any C based language can easily learn the Java syntax. Also, the beginners can learn Java from the scratch within a very short span of time. The large and standard class library provided by the platform is also well written. So a programmer can always refer to the documentation to use the Java class libraries.

Option to Reuse Code and Third-Party Libraries: Each developer wants to build a powerful application without writing longer lines of code. As Java web development is widely used by programmers across the world, one can easily access a large collection of code and third-party libraries. Further, the comprehensive documentation available on the web will help programmers in understanding how to use IDEs. Also, a developer can choose from several IDEs to meet the application’s specific requirements.

Limitation of Java as a Development Platform

Support for Limited Programming Languages: As a development platform, Java supports additional programming languages like JRuby and Groovy. But the platform does not users to avail the advantages of these languages to build innovative services. Most developers still use the programming language support extended by Java to create conventional services. Despite allowing developers to invent new programming languages, the underlying platform makes it difficult for them to implement the new language features.

Pre-Ajax User Interfaces: The use of AJAX has transformed the way web applications were being developed. But most Java frameworks are not designed with full AJAX support. For example, commonly used frameworks like JavaDX, Swing and JSF are not the best option to build AJAX user interfaces. So developers look for more innovative and advanced frameworks that allow them to seamlessly incorporate AJAX in the applications.

Complex Frameworks: A number of web application development platforms have made programming simpler and faster. Many developers are using tools like WaveMaker and Microsoft Lightswitch to easily develop enterprise applications. Also, as Java is based on C++, many programmers consider it to be too complex to build enterprise business applications.

Many developers are waiting for the commercial release of Java 8 to avail a number of advantages like lambda functions. The existing features and functionalities provided by Java as a development platform are considered old-fashioned by many programmers. So Oracle has to release Java 8 with more innovative features to make it popular among the new generation of web application developers.

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Exploring the Evolution of JAVA and its Various Released Versions

Java, a programming language, received its due recognition and got very popular in the world of web application and software right from the time of its launch in the market. Even before the wave of change that hit the new millennium, the world looked up to Java for easy and smart solutions. The brainchild of James Gosling, Java was released by the Sun Microsystems in 1995. The programming language, featuring a kind of similar syntax to C sharp and C++, constitutes an object model that is less complicated and has reduced level facilities.

Initially referred to as Oak, the name was later changed to Java. Over the years, the language has released multiple versions making programming easier for the people in software. From the first steady version of JDK 1.0 to the latest version of Java 7, which is also referred to as Dolphin, it has evolved from being just a mere enterprise language. The dynamic language features a steady security system and secured configuration, thereby enabling a file access restriction.

Java application development : Exploring the Language

Java has only one set of syntax underlining the rules of writing the code. This particular set of guidelines have certainly evolved since the introduction of the language, but still gets along with the modern-day Java. However, remember that the standard set of Java libraries have also undergone some changes wherein, some parts have been completely removed in the upcoming versions.

While there is the existence of only one language, the implementations of the same are many. This precisely highlights the presence of different Java Virtual Machines (JVM’s) and different compilers. Such a range of varying implementation though conforms mostly to the Java standards often leads to having some kind of additional features and performance advantage as against others.

A Look into the Varied Java Editions – SE, EE, and ME

Java involves three ‘editions’, which strictly conforms to specifications and not the real implementations of the Java libraries and JVM. Here is a detailed look at the varying editions:

1. SE (Standard Edition), which is mostly used by the PC users, is the base of the libraries and JVM.

2. EE (Enterprise Edition) offers a similar kind of JVM as the SE, but offers an increased number of libraries enabling server-oriented programming.

3. ME (Micro Edition) is Java adapted for devices featuring constraint of resources i.e. low power, low memory. Examples of such devices include PDAs and mobile phones. Owing to their low memory and storage capacities, the devices usually cannot afford having all the libraries found in EE and SE.

A look at the Java Versions

Here is a glance at the released versions of Java right from its inception:

• Java 1.0 - The original release promised the feature of ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere’ (WORA). It offered run-time at no cost on popular platform and featured configurable security. The release enabled file-access and network restriction.
• Java 1.1 – The next release followed soon in 1997.
• Java 2 or J2SE 1.2 – Released in 1998, this new version featured multiple configuration designed for a range of platforms. This version introduced the development of SE (named as the standard edition for general PC users), EE (for enterprise applications), and ME (for mobile applications).
• J2SE 1.3 – The release that followed suit came in the year 2000 and was codenamed as Kestrel.
• J2SE 1.4 – Codenamed as Merlin, the next release from Java featured in the market in 2002.
• J2SE 5.0 – This particular version that was released in 2004 was codenamed Tiger and was referred to as J2ME 5.0, J2EE 5.0, and J2SE5.0.
• Java SE 6 – Released in 2006, the version was codenamed as Mustang and came loaded with multiple features like I/0 changes, collections framework enhancement, changes in zip and jar, JMX API enhancements, etc.
• Java SE 7 – The latest version codenamed Dolphin released in 2008 and has already witnessed around 25 updates enhancing its performance largely. The notable features of this version include support of JVM for dynamic languages, compressed pointers of 64-bit, small changes in language, new I/O library improving independence of the platform, improved support for library for network protocols and algorithms, etc.

Each single release of the Java programming language witnessed performance improvements and bug fixes for the JVM and development tools alongside the library refinement addition. Apart from these changes, Java 5 was the sole release to have added new features and characteristics to the language, which included annotations, enumerations, autoboxing, varargs, and generics.

The programming language makes use of the Java virtual machines, which practically offers it high portability that enables running of a program coded in Java in any computer featuring any kind of hardware configuration. Java monitors and organizes the memory using the automated garbage collector. Java has had a very successful run and has offered high rated performance from the time of its inception in the world of software.

Java can be practically termed as one of the most standard releases from Sun that reaches beyond being a specific software download line. It is truly one of the most popular implementation in the field of software and web applications. Today, Java is being widely used not just in computing devices, but also in e-commerce applications, mobile phones, and MP3 players.

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