The Pros and Cons of Java – 9 factors to consider if you’re thinking about using Java for your projects

Java is, quite rightly, an extremely popular programming language. As a result, code written in Java powers some of the most well-known products and services today.

But like any technology, there are pros and cons when using Java. Here are nine factors to consider if you’re thinking about using Java for your projects.

 

 

1. Pros of Java

Simple

Java is relatively easy to learn and use, ideal for anyone learning programming for the first time. Java code is easy to read, understand and debug, which means that you can start building effective programs more quickly too – ideal if your project has a tight deadline.

Object-Oriented

Java is an object-oriented (OO) programming language, sharing concepts with other popular languages like C++ and C#. Objects help to split large projects into smaller, manageable chunks – and help to bind data and functions for greater security. OO code can be easily re-used in other programs, accelerating development. Developers experienced in object-oriented languages may find it easier to cross-train into Java. 

Write Once, Run Anywhere

Java code is completely independent of the underlying operating system. So long as there is a Java Virtual Machine available, your compiled code will run – on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Unix and more. This dramatically increases the reach of your application without adding to the amount of development work required. You write portable code once and it runs anywhere.

Multithreaded

Modern systems use multithreaded CPUs to execute more tasks simultaneously – assuming your application has been written to take advantage of this feature. Java is a multithreaded language so you can develop applications that perform multiple activities at the same time, helping to improve overall efficiency.

Distributed Computing

In the age of the cloud, applications have to interface with data and services that are located on another physical machine. Java provides several technologies to link invoke remote resources (like RMI and CORBA), allowing you to build innovative applications for a range of purposes, particularly on the internet.

2. Cons of Java

Performance

Although write once run anywhere code is one of Java’s greatest strengths, it is also one of the biggest drawbacks. Because code has to be interpreted by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) at run time, there will always be a drop in performance. It may be that other programming languages are a better choice for applications that require real-time data processing or similar.

Memory management

Java has its own built-in memory management tools, speeding up development. And although the garbage collection routines work, they are less granular and efficient than manual efforts. As a result, Java applications tend to be more memory hungry and less efficient than alternative languages.

Code readability

Java applications can quickly become verbose, using long, complex passages of code. This makes it quite hard to read and understand – particularly if the developer has not supplied adequate notes and documentation.

Licensing

In 2019, Oracle introduced a new commercial licensing program for commercial developers. In order to receive public updates for Java 8 (or later) developers will need to pay a monthly subscription fee. This will add to the overall cost of building Java applications.

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We have outlined just a few of the pros and cons of Java here. However, in our experience, the positive benefits far outweigh any negative factors, particularly when used by experienced, expert developers. 

To learn more about the value of choosing Java for your applications – and how Eversoft can assist – please get in touch.

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