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Java is a versatile, high-level, object-oriented programming language originally developed by Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle) and released in 1995. Renowned for its “Write Once, Run Anywhere” (WORA) capability via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java remains highly relevant across various platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux/UNIX variants. It powers a vast range of applications, from large-scale enterprise systems and Android mobile apps to big data technologies and web application backends. This tutorial provides a concise, practical introduction to the modern Java programming language.

Audience

This tutorial is designed for beginners aiming to grasp the fundamental concepts of Java programming, as well as developers looking for a quick refresher on modern Java syntax and practices.

Prerequisites

Before starting, a basic understanding of general programming concepts (like variables, control structures, functions/methods) is beneficial. Familiarity with what a computer program is and the purpose of a programming language is assumed.

Compile/Execute Java Programs

Modern Java development typically involves a JDK (Java Development Kit), an IDE (like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, VS Code), and often a build tool (Maven or Gradle). You compile Java source code (.java files) into bytecode (.class files), which are then executed by the JVM.

Try the fundamental “Hello World” example below. Many online platforms and IDEs provide ways to quickly compile and run simple Java code.

public class MyFirstJavaProgram {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Prints "Hello, Modern World!" to the console.
        System.out.println("Hello, Modern World!");
    }
}