15 Facts about JAVA, Every Developer Must Know

By ParikshaPatr | March 5, 2025

Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. It powers enterprise applications, Android development, web applications, cloud computing, and even IoT (Internet of Things). With its "Write Once, Run Anywhere" (WORA) philosophy, Java has remained a dominant force in software development for over two decades.

In this article, we will explore interesting facts about Java, covering its history, features, usage, and impact on modern technology.

1. Java Was Created in 1995

Java was developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995. It was initially designed for interactive television but later became a general-purpose language. In 2010, Oracle Corporation acquired Sun Microsystems, making Java an integral part of Oracle’s software ecosystem.

2. Java is Object-Oriented, But Not Fully

Java follows the Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm, meaning everything is based on objects and classes. However, it is not fully object-oriented because it uses primitive data types (int, float, boolean, etc.), which are not objects.

To make Java fully object-oriented, developers can use wrapper classes like Integer, Double, Boolean, etc.

3. Java Uses a Virtual Machine to Run Anywhere

Java programs do not run directly on the operating system; instead, they run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM translates Java bytecode into machine-specific code, enabling Java applications to run on any device or operating system that has a compatible JVM. This principle is known as "Write Once, Run Anywhere" (WORA).

4. Java is One of the Most Popular Programming Languages

According to various rankings, Java consistently appears among the top programming languages:

  • TIOBE Index ranks Java as one of the top languages every year.
  • Stack Overflow Developer Survey shows Java remains a favorite among developers.
  • GitHub's most-used languages list frequently includes Java.

Java's popularity is due to its platform independence, security, stability, and extensive libraries.

5. Java is the Backbone of Android Development

Android apps are primarily built using Java, making it one of the most in-demand programming languages. Android Studio, the official IDE for Android development, uses Java and Kotlin.

Even though Kotlin is now the preferred language for Android development, Java remains widely used due to its robust ecosystem and legacy applications.

6. The First Java Version Had Only 8 Features

The first version of Java (JDK 1.0) released in 1996 had only 8 features, including:

  • Applets
  • Security Model
  • Automatic Memory Management (Garbage Collection)
  • Multithreading
  • Exception Handling

Over time, Java has evolved significantly, with the latest versions introducing modern features like functional programming, records, and pattern matching.

7. Java Supports Automatic Memory Management (Garbage Collection)

One of Java’s key advantages is automatic memory management. The Java Garbage Collector (GC) automatically deallocates unused objects, preventing memory leaks and optimizing performance.

There are different types of garbage collectors in Java, including:

  • Serial GC (Best for single-threaded applications).
  • Parallel GC (Optimized for multi-core processors).
  • G1 GC (Garbage First) (Balances performance and memory efficiency).
  • ZGC (A low-latency garbage collector introduced in Java 11).

8. Java is Used in High-Performance Applications

Java is used in high-performance and mission-critical applications, such as:

  • Banking & Financial Systems (Used by JPMorgan, Citibank, etc.).
  • E-commerce Platforms (Amazon, eBay).
  • Stock Market & Trading Applications (Stock exchanges use Java for high-speed transactions).
  • Big Data & Machine Learning (Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark use Java).
  • Enterprise Software Development (Java is a key language for enterprise applications).

Java’s reliability, security, and scalability make it a top choice for large-scale business applications.

9. Java is Backed by a Large Developer Community

Java has one of the largest and most active developer communities in the world. Developers contribute to:

  • Open-source Java frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, and Struts.
  • Online forums like Stack Overflow and GitHub repositories.
  • Annual Java conferences like JavaOne and Devoxx.

The strong community support ensures that Java remains relevant and constantly evolving.

10. Java Powers Major Web Frameworks

Java is widely used for web application development through powerful frameworks such as:

  • Spring Boot (For microservices and enterprise applications).
  • Hibernate (For Object-Relational Mapping).
  • Struts (For MVC-based applications).
  • Vaadin & JSF (For modern UI development).

These frameworks simplify development and enhance the performance of web-based applications.

11. Java is Used in Scientific Computing and AI

Although languages like Python and R are dominant in AI and data science, Java is still used for scientific computing and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Some AI and Big Data frameworks that use Java include:

  • Apache Spark (Big Data processing).
  • Weka & Deeplearning4j (Machine learning and AI).
  • Apache Mahout (Scalable ML algorithms).

Java’s scalability and performance make it suitable for AI-driven applications.

12. Java is Highly Secure

Security is a core principle of Java, which is why financial institutions and enterprises rely on it. Java provides:

  • Bytecode verification (Prevents malicious code execution).
  • Built-in security APIs (For cryptography, authentication, and access control).
  • Automatic memory management (Reduces risks of buffer overflow attacks).

Java’s strong security model makes it an excellent choice for applications that require data protection and reliability.

13. Java Continues to Evolve

Java receives regular updates, ensuring it stays competitive with modern programming languages.

Some recent Java features include:

  • Records (Java 14, 16) – Simplified data classes.
  • Pattern Matching (Java 17) – Enhances code readability.
  • Sealed Classes (Java 15) – Improves security in object hierarchies.
  • Virtual Threads (Java 19) – Optimized threading for high-performance applications.

Each new Java release enhances performance, security, and developer productivity.

14. Java is Used in Cloud Computing

Java is widely adopted in cloud-based applications due to its platform independence and scalability. It is supported by major cloud providers like:

  • AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Microsoft Azure

Java is often used for developing cloud-native applications, microservices, and serverless computing.

15. Java Has Inspired Other Programming Languages

Many modern languages have borrowed concepts from Java, including:

  • Kotlin (Used for Android development).
  • Scala (Combines functional and object-oriented programming).
  • C# (Developed by Microsoft, influenced by Java’s syntax and features).
  • Groovy (Used for scripting and automation).

Java’s influence has shaped the modern programming landscape, making it one of the most impactful languages in software development.

Conclusion

Java remains a powerful, versatile, and widely used programming language across various industries. Its platform independence, security, scalability, and vast ecosystem make it essential for enterprise applications, mobile development, AI, cloud computing, and web frameworks.

With a strong developer community and continuous improvements, Java is expected to remain relevant for years to come. Whether you're a beginner, experienced developer, or IT professional, learning Java can open doors to exciting career opportunities in software development.