If you’d like to understand, why Java is still a thing for big companies, you’re in the right place. Even though this year marks the 28th anniversary of Java, it’s still something that can’t be referred to as an obsolete programming language. Actually, Java has maintained the top position among the most popular programming languages in the world during all those years, and rightly so.
Released by Sun Microsystems in 1995, Java has successfully overcome well-known and well-established languages like C/C++ and carved out plenty of developers for it. Some believe that Python or Kotlin, its main competitors, are killing Java nowadays, but the truth is Java is still thriving in large companies.
What’s the Catch?
The trick is that tons of websites, software programs, and applications simply won’t work without Java (and more and more are created every day). In addition, serious governmental services, a high-risk industry, as well as investment banking systems extensively use Java since this quick-performing object-oriented programming language is quite secure and reliable.
Actually, security is one of the major factors (if not the main) for every corporation, so it’s natural that companies tend to opt for the language that provides tight security. Java has progressive security features to protect its data, so an enterprise can be safe and sound. And with every new update, Java only gets better. For instance, the Java 9 version offered some exciting security features and allows users to exchange data between the client and the server via secure protocols, whilst Java 11 version has gradually become a new standard, replacing Java 8 version. Every 6 months Java creators release new features and upgrades to stay up to date with the modern development.
Simplicity is the other thing that attracts serious companies. It’s comfortable to create well-thought-out programs and systems in Java. Plus, since Java programs are reusable, developers can easily maintain Java applications and create new ones faster by modifying the same code. And as the proverb goes, "Time is money".
Also, you have probably heard that most smartphones and tablets have Android as the main operating system, and Java is the core of this OS. In fact, many big corporations are seriously dependent on their mobile apps, so the demand for Java and Java specialists doesn’t seem to decrease anytime soon.
Besides that, Java is widely used in software development, back-end development, as well as modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain.
Yet, one of the main reasons for Java's popularity is that it’s a cross-platform programming language. You can use it on different platforms with ease, from Android gadgets and computers to web apps, software, financial industry tools, and more. “Write Once Run Anywhere” is an exact catchphrase telling that Java can move freely from one operating system to another, from one device to another.
As you see, Java appears to be an all-around universal solution that may tick all the right boxes for almost any enterprise. However, actions speak louder than words, so let’s see what big companies prefer Java.
Companies That Use Java
To start with statistics, 10130 companies reportedly use Java in their tech stacks. Not surprisingly, the United States is the leader among the companies utilizing Java, with more than 60% market share of Java clients (about 64,000 businesses). Among the most significant ones, we can highlight:
Microsoft
Even though Java doesn’t power Windows or something like that, Microsoft uses it for many other things. For example, Microsoft needs Java to develop the proprietary Edge web browser.
Microsoft really shows a strong interest in Java, so the company invests in language development to promote further advancements and enhance its strength. As for Java specialist job offerings, Microsoft mainly hires software developers or front-end developers.
Uber
The next big enterprise based on Java is Uber. The company deals with a lot of real-time data, keeping track of drivers and incoming ride requests. With that, Uber should sort the data seamlessly and match users quickly. That’s where Java comes in handy, handling requests and transferring data within the shortest time possible.
LinkedIn
The app is mostly written in Java, with some elements created in C++. Java does a great job for LinkedIn’s search and analytics. More precisely, it solves scale issues, enabling the server to run quicker and use fewer resources for that.
PayPal
This famous payment system has been using Java on its website and applications for a very long time. Naturally, this huge company is actively looking for Java developers.
Netflix
Like PayPal, Netflix currently uses Java for almost everything. And since Netflix is one of the best-known entertainment platforms worldwide, the demand for Java specialists in this company is high too.
NASA Word Wind
Largely thanks to Java, NASA has created the Word Wind app that has a very realistic 3D virtual globe and can display precise geographical data (the program uses real images from satellites to build 3D models of the planets). It’s an open-source program, and since it’s written in Java, it supports almost any OS.
Besides the mentioned tech giants, Airbnb, Google, eBay, Spotify, TripAdvisor, Intel, Pinterest, Groupon, Slack Flipkart, and many more companies regularly use Java. No doubt, Java is almost everywhere.
Top Reasons to Learn Java Even if It’s Your First Programming Language
Is Java a hard nut to crack for newbies? Not exactly. Students can take advantage of a vast range of open-source libraries, frameworks, IDEs, and development tools.
Moreover, a robust community stands behind Java. It’s one of the major reasons why Java is still at its peak.
Another reason for Java’s popularity is its user-friendliness. Java has an English-like syntax, which means it has a simple learning curve and is the ideal first programming language for beginners.
In addition, Java has a vast array of open-source libraries and excellent documentation to help you during your learning path (as well as to help you solve the most frequent problems you may face while developing enterprise applications later). The most useful libraries include Google Guava, Apache Xerxes, Apache POI, Apache Commons, OpenCV, Gson, and others.
The next point in favor of Java is its rich API. Simply put, the Application Programming Interface is extensive and can suit every purpose, including networking, working with databases, parsing XML, handling input-output, and so on.
Last but not least, Java boasts a powerful suite of development tools. One of Java’s perks is its Integrated Development Environment (IDE), consisting of different automation tools, editors, and powerful debuggers. The most popular Java IDEs are NetBeans, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, Maven, Jenkins, and JConsole.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, Java will remain one of the most popular and extensively-used programming languages all across the globe in the nearest future. Java and all its additional features like frameworks and APIs will continue to let developers create scalable, secure, and powerful software.
Looking at all these benefits and large companies using Java, it’s easy to see why Java is a perfect language for enterprise software development with any commercial needs. So, when deciding to learn Java, you're surely making a safe choice for foreseen future. Plus, you’re getting a well-developed ecosystem of libraries, tools, communities, and test utilities at your disposal. Who said the learning curve should be tough?
