Wikipedia History of Java Version
Java was not successful at once. It had several refreshes, each one of them adding new embodiments, enhancements, and corrections. So, here is a short review of the biggest versions of Java and their contribution to the development of our current language.
JDK 1.0 (1996) The Starting Point
The introduction of the Java.
Added key functionality such as:
- Applets (mini applications executed in web browsers).
- AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) to simple Graphical User Interface programs.
- Indicative issue: Performance & limited features.
J2SE 1.2 (1998) The Great Upgrade
It has changed its name to J2SE (Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition) after it changed to JDK.
Major additions:
- Swing (AWT is inferior to GUI).
- Collections Framework (more convenient data).
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Compiler (and made Java faster).
J2SE 5.0 (2004) Game Changer
Among the largest updates that exist in the history of Java.
Added Generics (safe collections).
- Additional notes (code-added metadata).
- Autoboxing/Unboxing (automatic boxings/unboxings of primitives and objects).
- Better for-loop (more convenient iteration through an array/list).
Java SE 8 (2014) modJava
The majority of popular nowadays.
- Added Lambda Expressions (simpler syntax to functions).
- Stream API (improved processing of data).
- Backward compatible Default Methods in Interfaces.
Java SE 11 (2018) &ndquotca highlights: Long-Term Support (LTS)& sed endloment laundry red ltd delivered projected downfall of domino oyster worms (2018)
Oracle shifted to different release cycles; major changes are available after every 6 months.
Java 11 is the version of long-term support of the enterprise (LTS).
Dropped some of the aged functionality (such as Java EE and CORBA modules).
Java SE 17 (2021) Free LTS
- Latest stable long term support version.
- Sealed Classes (shut down inheritance).
- Switch (cleaner code Pattern Matching).
- Security updates and better performance.
History of Java versions - an overview Java Versions History - A Quick Summary
It is evident that the history of Java versions cannot be ignored, particularly when it comes to the current Java releases overview.
Let us have a glance at the most important versions of Java in a simplified timeline manner so that we can have a view of all the versions that had changed Java:
1996 - Java 1.0
- The very first release into public The very first release into public
- Simple features but sluggish
1997 Java 1.1
- Improved performance
- JDBC and added inner classes
1998 Java 1.2 (Java 2)
- Large new JIT compiler
- Presented Swing, Collections
2000 Java 1.3
- Better performance
- Incremental Java Sound API
2002 Java 1.4
- Added assert keyword
- Appendix regular expressions
2004 Java 5
- Significant update generics
- Incorporated new annotations, anums
2006 - Java 6
- Better web services facilities
- Improved GUI and performance
2011 Java 7
- Added try-with-resources
- Switch String support
2014 - Java 8 (Modern Most Popular)
- Lambdas as game changer
- Stream API was introduced
2017 Java 9
- Introduction of module system
- Altered release cusp
2018 - Java 11 (LTS)
- Long term support version
- Sacrificed certain aged characteristics
2021 Java 17 (Current LTS)
- New stable version
- Sealed classes, pattern matching
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason that made Java be created in the first place?
Java originated in 1991 as a new technology of interactive television and embedded devices, but it was too sophisticated to fit in that market. When the internet became widespread, it was rewritten to suit web programming and thus became a suitable way of running an app on the browser.
Are Java and JavaScript Different?
They are nothing alike: although the names sound alike. Java is a compiled programming language primarily used in application and the JavaScript is interpreted in the browsers and makes web applications interactive. It was made by Netscape as a matter of marketing to name it that way.
Why is a Java called a write once, run anywhere language?
Java came in with the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) that enables a compiled code of Java to be executed on any device that has a JVM installed in it. It was revolutionary as compared to languages, which required recompilation to other systems.
Conclusion
In this article we have got to know about the fascinating history of Java. We witnessed how it originated as the Oak/Java and studied all the key releases since JDK 1.0 to Java 17 and learned how each of them gave it a significant improvement. Java has emerged successfully because of being able to evolve itself and retain backward compatibility. Java has always been in demand, since its days as the power behind web applets in the 90s, and in the current enterprise systems. It has been able to keep up with the latest needs of computer technology and still retain its essence.
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