What is Java?

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 11 Jun 2009 9:41 pm

My latest stupid question: What is Java? I've got it, and dutifully update it from time to time, but the Java website language that purports to answer my question is incomprehensible to me. It's in Computerese. Likewise the Wikipedia article about it. Can someone explain in English that a layman can understand what Java's function in the computer is? That is, something that sounds like "It is necessary so that audio or video can run" or "You need it for certain types of actions in some websites" or "It speeds up/slows down internet browsing" or "It's unnecessary for the ordinary computer user", not "It creates a runtime environment that interfaces with platforms yada yada".

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 12 Jun 2009 7:36 am

I have a similar question. Yesterday I got an offer to add/update Java. In reading the interminable service agreement I saw nothing but references to about how the program will record my preferences, keystrokes, websites visited, etc. and forward that to companies so they can target me with their advertising. Is that all it does. I think I'd rather find sellers of goods and services when I need them, and not be bombarded with their "targeted" ads all the time. Is Java good for anything else?

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 12 Jun 2009 11:45 am

You might read this--it pretty much explains it.

http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/definitions/java.html
.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 12 Jun 2009 8:24 pm

Java is also Coffee!

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 12 Jun 2009 10:04 pm

Wiz, I knew that!!! Indeed , I presume to consider myself somewhat of an expert in that area!

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 13 Jun 2009 3:52 am

So Brint, what is your preference, drip, perk or french press?

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 13 Jun 2009 4:50 am

Hi guys,
The short and simple answer is that Java is a programming language that is used on various websites to do different things. For example, most gaming sites use Java to program card games, etc.
Hope that helps. Happy pickin'
David

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 13 Jun 2009 6:27 am

To continue along the coffee connection, Sun Corp has had a programming tool for Java programmers, called JavaBeans. JavaBeans are reusable software components for Java that can be manipulated visually in a builder tool.

I'm fairly certain that a lot of of drinkable java was consumed by the folks who created programmable JavaBeans.

Java Applets are found on millions of websites in the form of animations, games, crossword puzzles, live chat windows and some forms. Secunia's online software inspector requires Java to inspect your installed applications for version information.

Many high level websites are running web servers from Sun Corp., that use their Java Server Pages technology (pages with .jsp extensions).

While Windows technologies are proprietary, only usable on Microsoft platforms, Java Applets and code pages are write once use everywhere. Java Applets run in every browser via a Java plug-in, from Sun. Microsoft uses ActiveX technology to achieve similar results, but this is only supported by Internet Explorer browsers. It is also the biggest weakness in those browsers and has been exploited by hackers for years.

Years ago I downloaded a bunch of animated creatures, called "Desk Mates," which were written in the Java language. They displayed and played on my Windows desktop, with no requirement to have any browser open. They were mini-programs.

Unfortunately, cyber-criminals also know how to program Java to do malicious things to computers, so caution is required before running downloadable Java Applets. Java is supposed to operate in a virtual sandbox, but it is possible to force it to extend to parts of the OS. Whenever a new exploit is reported, Sun patches that vulnerability and releases a patched version. Other times, they add major new features and release updated versions with new primary numbers.

As for the question whether anyone needs to have Java on their PC, the answer is only if you wish to view or interact with web pages that employ Java technologies. Those pages will fail to operate as designed if you don't have Java installed into the browser you are using to view that web page.

For safety sake, always download Java from http://java.com. Developers' versions are available from http://java.sun.com/. There are numerous books available that teach Java programming.

I think it's time to drink more java!

John Cipriano · Post by **John Cipriano** » 15 Jun 2009 8:16 pm

Java's a programming language and platform.

Unlike older languages like C, Java code is supposed to be portable..."write once, run everywhere" although in practice you have to write to a very strict subset of the language to achieve this. But you could write a program in Java and it could run in Windows, Mac or Linux with either very little or no effort in rebuilding it.

You can use Java to make regular applications, or applets, which are delivered via a web browser.

I'm trying to think of a really popular Java applet that people use but really everything that the browser can't handle on its own is done in Flash these days. We use a Java applet at work that's related to dispatching. A lot of times banking websites will make use of Java applets. I have a couple of programs on my computer right now that are Java applications (Requiem, Vuze).

It's really easy to uninstall, and completely safe to do so if you don't think you're not going to use it. And if you come across a site that needs Java, it's easy enough to reinstall. You can also disable the plugin in your browser.

But just the same, it's safe to leave on there, as long as you update it. Like all software these days, it receives security updates every so often. If you look in the task manager you will see jqs.exe, that is the Java quick starter.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 Jun 2009 2:43 pm

My day job is Java programming. I can't explain it, though. I don't know why anyone would want Java on their home computer, if they weren't a programmer.

Our organization has some business programs that are written in Java, but there's nothing on my home Windows PC that needs Java.

Java is included on the Mac because parts of the operating system use it. Users can pretty much ignore it, but it's best to go ahead and accept the updates for security reasons.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 16 Jun 2009 3:42 pm

I'm pretty sure I have it in the first place because some website or application prompted me "For blah-blah to work, you must have Java Runtime Environment", with a link to download it. Being clueless, I did so. That's as much as I know.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 16 Jun 2009 8:04 pm

Yeah b0b...

How can you say that about PC users are "wishing" to
have JAVA on their PCs.

As Brint expressed, we don't have a choice.

If you want to access anything, and it is get JAVA or drop dead, well, there you go?

You as a computer man, I'm puzzled by your response, b0b?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Jun 2009 6:18 am

You're thinking of Javascript, Chip, not Java. They are two completely different languages.

Javascript is the scripting language of web pages. It's very common and very secure. The Javascript interpreter is part of every web browser program (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.). Most web sites today rely on Javascript to some degree. Many are non-functional without Javascript.

But Javascript is not Java.

Java is a language from Sun Microsystems that runs mostly on web servers. A good programmer can write Java programs for desktop computers, but those programs aren't very common. Also, Java programs can be written to run inside a web browser (they are called applets), but again this isn't very common. The user has to configure his browser with a plug-in to accept Java applets.

Some of the programs from the IT and HR departments at my day job are applets, so all employees must have Java on their office computers. I also happen to have Java on my home Windows-based computer, but I only use it for experimental "hobby" programming. I don't need it for anything. Mrs. Lee doesn't have it on her Windows-based computer, and she doesn't miss a thing.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 17 Jun 2009 7:34 am

Thanks b0b, for clearing that up.

I should have paid closer attention.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 17 Jun 2009 8:20 am

Nevertheless, b0b, what I said above is the only possible explanation of how I got Java in the first place (unless it was pre-installed in the computer when I got it). SOME website or application required it. I most definitely didn't originate the motivation to install it--I am way too computer-ignorant for that!

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 17 Jun 2009 1:56 pm

Anybody who wants to run the Secunia Online Software Inspector must have Java Runtime Environment installed first. That's how many of you obtained Java. Others may have browsed to a crossword puzzle site that required Java and installed it. Whatever the source, you should enable the automatic check for updates feature. New versions are released to fix vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild, or to add new features, or to be compatible with new operating systems and service packs.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Jun 2009 2:11 pm

If you don't know why you have Java, search your Program Files folder for files that end with ".jar" or ".class". Any that aren't part of Java itself are applications that require Java to run.

Or just uninstall Java and see what stops working.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 18 Jun 2009 4:28 am

Does JAVA have the red and white coffee cup for an icon?

It does pop-up in my taskbar when I do a Xword.

I just looked in Program Files and Java is definitely in there.

Wiz, how can I be sure I have it set to auto update?

Anyway, it hasn't created any problems for me that I'm aware of.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 18 Jun 2009 7:36 am

Chip, it sounds like your Xword program is written in Java. Java doesn't typically cause any problems, but it's a good idea to keep it updated just in case.

Open your Control Panel and you'll see a Java icon there. Open it, and you can find an option there for automatic updates. I think automatic updates are turned on by default in most versions of Java.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 18 Jun 2009 7:53 am

Thanks again, b0b.

I located JAVA (via CP), and yes, it was already setup for auto update.

I appreciate the help and info.