Java is one of the most relied upon software or set ofsoftware applications for developing web applications. Java runs on almostevery device we use in our daily lives. From credit card transactions to webbased booking facilities, almost every Internet enabled business model relieson Java for connecting their back-end servers to the Internet. 

Java is a free and open-source software that developers canutilize to create flexible and high-end software programs. It was originallydeveloped by Sun Microsystems, which was later acquired by Oracle.

In Java, codes are created as bytecodes that are executed inJVMs (Java Virtual Machines). Code compilers convert the bytecode into nativeprogramming language that the host system uses. This makes Java an excellentchoice for cross-platform programming and application development.

In the initial days, Java was slower in performance comparedto other languages like C, C++, etc., primarily due to the use of Java Virtualmachines. However, with subsequent releases, Java Virtual machine optimizationmethods like Adaptive optimizing, Just-In-Time compiling, garbage collection,etc. Java performance has improved substantially.

Various Java platforms

Java Card:  used tocreate applets (Java applications) for limited memory devices, smart cards,microprocessors, etc.

Java ME (Micro Edition): Sets up the programming base forseveral small memory and power devices like PDAs, mobile phones, printers, etc.A common alternative for mobile operating systems like Symbian, .NET, BREW,etc.

Java EE (Enterprise Edition): used to create enterprise-grade,multi-tier applications and APIs

Java SE (Standard Edition): used to create softwareapplications or programs for general desktops, servers and associated devices.Most popular form of Java platform too.

J2SE 1.4Feature additions

J2SE 1.4 was released on February 6^th 2002 underthe codename Merlin. Significant feature additions in J2SE 1.4 are described asbelow:

Regular expressions

A sequence of characters that define a search pattern usedmainly in find and replace operations. Regexes (also known as Rational Expressions) in J2SE 1.4 willsimplify searching for commands lines similar to search function in searchengines, text editors, word processors, etc.

Exception chaining

Also known as Exception Wrapping will wrap the originalexception inside a new inception and save the original exception as a propertywithout losing the values for identifying the cause. Exception chaining willfacilitate better debugging and error finding in Java based programs.

IPV6 support

Internet Protocol Version 6 support will make J2SE 1.4 arobust tool that can communicate with servers and network systems withefficacy.

XML and XSLT processors

Integrated XML and XSLT processors with Java API willprovide facilities for validating and parsing XML documents.

Non-blocking I/O

Also referred to as NIO or New I/O contains several Javaprogramming language APIs that can perform elaborate and extensive input/outputoperations. NIO will provide character set encoders and decoders, buffers dataand provides channels a new primitive abstraction.

Integrated security and cryptography extensions

JCE (Java Cryptography Extension), JAAS (Java Authenticationand Authorization Service) and JSE (Java Secure Socket Extension) will impartheightened security to Java programs and applications.