The Java programming language is constantly holding its position in the top programming languages list in modern times. Though there are numerous new languages, the popularity of Java never retires. Java has been ruling as one of the most well-known programming languages for more than 2 decades now.
One of the main advantages of Java as per experts is that it is an effective and powerful language that is used to develop projects belonging to different domains. However, there are certain risks associated with Java development that one should keep in mind while helping pick the Java programming language.
Here, we will learn about what are the pros and cons of Java development. It will help you get a clear idea of Java language, its usefulness, and its limitations. So, let’s dive in together.
What is Java?
Java language is a commonly-used programming language for helping businesses build their web apps. It has become a popular choice for developers for developing scalable and strong apps. Millions of apps and sites are developed using Java language.
It is a multi-platform programming language that follows OOP (Object-oriented) rules and is network-centric which helps in smooth development. It is a secure, fast, and reliable programming language used for making everything from enterprise to mobile apps, big data apps, and also server-side techniques.
Now, let’s see what are the pros and cons of Java that business owners must keep in mind before choosing Java language.
Pros and Cons of Java programming language
Java is one of the most interesting and popular programming languages, and its user base keeps on increasing from 1995 till current time. If Java keeps on adding more functionalities, its popularity will increase more in the future. Let’s begin with the pros and cons of Java programming language:
10 primary advantages of Java
1# Java follows the concept of OOP
Java language follows the concept of Object-oriented programming that helps developers to increase the flexibility of the code. With the concept of OOP, one can quickly reuse the same objects in different programs.
It will help us to improve security by gathering information and functions in one unit and not letting anyone from the outside world access it. This feature also helps to manage bigger modules into smaller ones and make them easy to understand.
2# Java is simple and easy to use
Any programming language is considered to be simple if developers can easily understand and learn it. Java syntax is easy to write, straightforward, easy to learn, understand, and maintain, and it is also debuggable.
Additionally, Java is not as complex as other languages like C++ and C, as many complex functionalities in Java are being removed like pointers, operator overloading, storage classes, etc.
3# The platform-independent feature
Java programming language offers an effective boon to the users by assisting them with the feature of platform independence- WORA (Write Once Run Anywhere) function.
The code that is compiled, that is the byte code in Java is itself platform-independent and runs on a machine irrespective of having the OS. This code can run on different machines that have a JVM installed in it.
4# Java provides great security
Java programming language decreases security risks by avoiding the use of definite pointers. Pointers store the memory address of different values and cause unauthorized memory access.
Such issues can be resolved by avoiding the idea of pointers. Additionally, there is a security manager feature in Java language for each app that allows us to state the access rules of a class.
5# Java language is economical and cheap to manage
Java programming language is cheap to maintain and develop as the Java programs are dependent on hardware infrastructure that has JVM. One can easily execute them on any machine by downloading JVM and it also saves extra cost to manage and maintain it.
6# This language supports portability
Java programming language is portable because of the platform’s independent functionality. As Java code can run on different platforms, it becomes portable and can be executed on any platform with JVM. Hence, Java language provides the benefit of portability.
7# It is a high-level programming language
Java programming is a high-level language used for developing different coding structures and it is also a human-readable language. It has quite a similar structure to human language and has simple and easy to maintain syntax which is similar to the structure of C++ language but in an easy and simpler way.
8# Multithreading support
Java programming language is a multithreading language, that is, multiple threads can run simultaneously in this language. A thread is nothing but the smallest unit in the process. Multithreading helps us to get maximum utilization of the system’s CPU.
Multithreading can share the common memory area and improves the efficiency as well as the performance of the app. These threads run independently without even affecting the functions of other threads.
9# Automatic Garbage Collection feature
The feature of automatic memory management and garbage collection is done by the JVM (Java Virtual Machine). When the objects are not useful in the program and do not refer to any other element, they are removed by explicit programming.
JVM in Java will remove the unuseful objects with the feature of automatic garbage collection.
10# It is a distributed language
Java programming is a distributed language and it is provided with the method of sharing programs and data in multiple computers which improves the efficiency and performance of that system.
With the RMI (Remote Method Invocation) the distributed programming is supported in Java. Additionally, Java supports COBRA technology and Socket Programming which helps us to share objects in one distributed environment.
So these are the 10 factors that support Java development.
Java language is becoming more stable and robust as compared to other programming languages. Additionally, a brand new Java version is put into the market in no time with modern features and functions that make it more useful and stable.
Now, let’s discuss some cons of this language.
Cons of Java
Here’s the list of cons of Java that one should know before selecting it for your next project:
1# Paid commercial license
Oracle recently announced that Java Standard Edition 8 will be for production, commercial, or business purposes and they will start charging for it in 2019. To get new updates and bug fixes, you need to pay in the form of the number of users/per processor.
Today, Java is free and it can be redistributed for general computing purposes. In preparing for an update, each organization has to check how much Java framework they are using.
2# Far from the native feel and look on the desktop
For creating the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of any program, developers have to use various language-specific tools. Hence, while developing GUI for Android apps, Android Studio helps in creating the app to have a native look and feel. However, for developing desktop UI, Java lacks a native look.
Some GUI builders that Java developers can choose are:
SWT, Swing, JSF, JavaFX, etc.
Overall developing a good GUI, in Java programming language will require more in-depth techniques and research.
3# Performance glitches
Most of the high-level languages deal with the performance glitches because of the abstraction and compilation level of the virtual system.
However, it is not the one reason for Java to often censor speed. For instance, a garbage collector has a useful function but it can lead to essential performance glitches.
If the process takes more than 20% of the CPU time. Poor caching configuration can cause imprudent memory and also garbage collection usage. There are many thread deadlocks that can take place when different threads are trying to get access to the same resource, and it is every Java developer’s BAD DREAM- the Out-of-memory error.
These are some basic pros and cons of Java development. However, there are many factors that make Java a strong language. And these factors generally cover the disadvantages of Java.
If you are a Java admirer, picking Java will never disappoint you. Java programming was, is, and will be useful for developing different web and mobile solutions.
Concluding Thoughts
In the end, Java is a powerful and versatile programming language that has come up a long way in the world of software development. Its numerous advantages like platform independence, robustness, and vast community support, have made it a well-known choice for building a wide range of apps. However, it is important to consider the drawbacks of Java, such as its verbosity and slower performance compared to other languages.
Additionally, the quick evolution of technology and the emergence of new programming languages pose a challenge to Java’s dominance in specific areas.
Ultimately, the decision to use Java depends on the specific requirements and priorities of each project. Despite its limitations, Java continues to be a fundamental language in the software industry, and its widespread adoption is a testament to its enduring relevance and usefulness.
