2 Introduction to Java

Introduction to Programming 1

Topics

Java Background

A little Bit of History What is Java Technology?

Phases of a Java Program

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Background: History

Java

was created in 1991 by James Gosling et al. of Sun Microsystems. Initially called Oak, in honor of the tree outside Gosling's window, its name was changed to Java because there was already a language called Oak.

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Background: History

Java

The original motivation for Java: the need for platform independent language that could be embedded in various consumer electronic products like toasters and refrigerators. One of the first projects developed using Java: a personal hand-held remote control named Star 7. At about the same time, the World Wide Web and the Internet were gaining popularity. Gosling et. al. realized that Java could be used for Internet programming.

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Background: What is Java Technology?

The Java technology is:

A programming language A development environment An application environment A deployment environment

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Technology: Programming Language

As a programming language, Java can create all kinds of applications that you could create using any conventional programming language.

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Technology: A Development Environment

As a development environment, Java technology provides you with a large suite of tools:

A compiler An interpreter A documentation generator A class file packaging tool and so on...

Introduction to Programming 1

Java Technology:
An Application and Runtime Environment

Java technology applications are typically general-purpose programs that run on any machine where the Java runtime environment (JRE) is installed. There are two main deployment environments:
1. The JRE supplied by the Java 2 Software Development Kit (SDK) contains the complete set of class files for all the Java technology packages, which includes basic language classes, GUI component classes, and so on. 2. The other main deployment environment is on your web browser. Most commercial browsers supply a Java technology interpreter and runtime environment.

Introduction to Programming 1

Phases of a Java Program

The following figure describes the process of compiling and executing a Java program

Introduction to Programming 1

Phases of a Java Program

Definitions:

Bytecode

a special machine language that can be understood by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). is independent of any particular computer hardware, so any computer with a Java interpreter can execute the compiled Java program, no matter what type of computer the program was compiled on.

The Java Virtual Machine

is an imaginary machine that is implemented by emulating software on a real machine. provides the hardware platform specifications to which you compile all Java technology code. This specification enables the Java software to be platform-independent because the compilation is done for a generic machine known as the JVM.
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Phases of a Java Program

Introduction to Programming 1

11

Summary

Java Background

History Java Technology

A programming language A development environment An application environment A deployment environment

Phases of a Java Program

Write, compile, run Defined:

Bytecodes Java Virtual Machine (JVM)