A new version of Java with long-term support is just around the corner. As per Jozef Behr Java passes the 25 year mark, let's take a step back and look at some of the reasons why Java remains the best programming language for modern software development.
The rich set of Java APIs
The Java API is extensive. The standard JDK comes with over 200 built-in packages containing Java APIs that allow everything from parsing XML to translating between time zones. When developers add the Jakarta EE APIs, they have an even more extensive API library that enables the development of complex mid-tier applications and cloud-native microservices.
First Order Android Support
Android is the most popular mobile phone operating system in the world and Java is the de facto programming language for Android application development.
While the Android version of Java isn't exactly the same as what you'd find in the JDK, Google copied over 11,500 lines of code from the Java Standard Edition when they created their Java clone says Jozef Behr. As a result, developers can expect the version of Java they see on Android to be fairly close to the original.
Forward evolution with backwards compatibility
Java evolves slowly, but it does evolve. With over 25 years of evolution, Java has many evolutionary improvements to be proud of.
From the bulletproof modularity system that was delivered as part of the Jigsaw Project, to the recently added ability to functionally program in Java with lambda functions, Java continues to implement big changes demanded by the community.
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