Java is the number one programming language

Java, used by 9 million developers and installed on over 7 billion devices worldwide, has proven itself capable of adapting to the rapid technological overhaul of the 21st century. According to TIOBE, a programming popularity tracker, Java has ranked number one among programming languages, followed by C, C++, and Python. Java’s approval rating in July 2016 was 19.8%, up 2.08% from July 2015. Conversely, both C and C++ have seen a decrease in popularity during the same period. Java’s impressive open-source ecosystem has allowed the language to adjust to new platforms and remain the most popular programming language in the world today.

A key feature of Java is the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), a compiler that breaks down source code into the 0’s and 1’s that a computer understands. The JVM makes it possible for human-readable code to be understood by any device that has the virtual machine installed. With this capability, Java can remain compatible with older applications, while also adapting the language to new applications. This principle follows the original mission of the Java language to “write once, run anywhere.”

Google has also played a major role in making Java the world’s number one programming language by adapting the JVM for its Android operating system. This has resulted in a second wind for Java, which recently celebrated its 20 year birthday. The Java developer community has played a critical role in this rebirth, as it continuously creates new libraries and tools to adjust Java to the ever-changing technological landscape. When developing for Unix, Linux, or any other platform that isn’t Microsoft, Java is the clear choice.

At Inovum IT, we use Java when developing large web applications, such as web portals, to be used by a company and its employees. Although PHP can be used for smaller applications, Java is the best choice for larger applications because of its ability to easily handle some of the problems associated with scaling a web application. Java is a great tool for managing the backend and servers as the logic and brains of an application. Additionally, Java is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain, a very important feature for developers looking to save money while creating first-class products.