What does JAVA do?

[wdfifteen]

I just installed another update. I always do whenever I'm prompted. I have no idea why. I went to the Java web site and it says, "Java Web Start is a deployment solution for Java-technology-based applications. It is the plumbing between the computer and the Internet that allows the user to launch and manage applications right off the Web. Java Web Start provides easy, one-click activation of applications, and guarantees that you are always running the latest version of the application, eliminating complicated installation or upgrade procedures."

Um, OK. What does THAT mean? It seems anything connected to internet technology HAS to be written in obscure language. Is it because computer nerds can't write in plain English or do they do to purposely confuse normal people? Can you imagine how they would describe one of our cars?

"Porsche is a ground deployed, ground based solution for user mobility in an asphalt and concrete environment. Running the latest version guarantees easy user mobility and maximum user visibility."

But seriously, what does Java do?

[id10t]

It is (in theory) write once run anywhere. Plugins for it are disabled in my browsers, but for soem things I have to manually select to use it (like a javawebstart app for online meetings, etc).

Lots of security issues with it, so unless you *know* you need it for something I'd uninstall it until need is proven.

[notmytarga]

Java is used on my computer to run my son's constant Minecraft playing. It also is used by my bank for the application that allows me to scan and deposit checks.

Obviously if something could go wrong with security bad things could happen. I have learned a lot about ports, permissions, firewalls, user accounts, junctions etc. because of the need to manage both a 10 year old and the family finances on the same computer.

I agree that the update process could either be straightforward or automatic - but often it is important to make sure you know what is updating.

I figure that the updates are important because they address evolving security changes or new features....which bring security problems.....which require updates.... which bring new features......

[Schumi]

I'm not a computer programmer by far, but here's my knowledge on Java:

It is an intentionally vague description because it runs on everything and cane be used for anything. Java and the lighter Javascrpt run small applets on webpages (probably even this one), phones, programs, server apps, etc etc.

It's a cross platform language and communicates easily through the web.

Different programs use it for different things. It's basis is constantly re-visioned by Sun to provide capability for more and more devices and services, and thus the updates. The code runs in an 'environment' that gets those updates. (unlike a more traditional programming language that is compiled and executed on specific platforms).

Usually, windows' newer security measures make updating it really, really annoying because it is constantly changing. There is a way to disable that and let it update automatically, which I think is safe to do.

[Por_sha911]

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[dan88911]

I disabled java because of some security issue last year.
However, I too have been getting an update lately.
Found this, Oracle to issue huge security patch addressing 36 Java vulnerabilities- The Inquirer

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by id10t

It is (in theory) write once run anywhere.

In essence, Java takes the issues of architecture, runtime libraries, OS version compatibility, etc out of the developers hands and foists them onto the user. In the old days, if a developer wrote code that didn't run, it was the developer's problem. Now a developer can write code that doesn't run and blame it on the user.

[widebody911]

Side rant: Oracle (the owner of Java), as a company, sucks monkey balls. We have some of their equipment, and our support contracts recently came up or renewal; I get sent copies because I'm the systems guy, but I don't really have any say in it. I've never seen such nickle-and-diming. Crap like $8 in support cost for a frickin' power cord. Each DIMM in the machine has a separate line item. The god damn external chassis has a 4-figure support charge. You get the picture. The only you would ever see more outright double-fisted sodomy would be to download it off the internet. It would be literally cheaper to buy replacement h/w off of eBay than to pay for support. I would never, ever, ever willingly buy Oracle (ie SUN/SPARC) hardware ever again.

[masraum]

You just can't get away from Java these days. Everything uses it or javascript whether you have a smart phone or are browsing the net. Java is an easy programming language (well, relatively easy as much as any programming language is) that runs on anything. Do you have a smart phone? Then you've got java because almost all of the apps are written in java whether you've got an iPhone or Android or probably even Windows based phone. Do you surf the web, then almost every web page that you see has some java script somewhere on it. Many/most webpages will work if you disable the javascript, but some just won't work at all without it. And probably not so much with most consumer apps, but definitely if you use many business apps, eventually you're going to run across something that is almost completely based on java.

In my experience, at least, it's crap. Yes, it runs everywhere, but most of the stuff that I've had to deal with that is mostly java based ends up being slow and buggy.

I run "noscript" in firefox and selectively enable java per page and it speeds up my browsing experience a lot. Not to mention that most of the stuff that stalks you on the internet is java based, so by disabling java, I should be tracked a bit less. Yes, I can still be tracked, but I bet disabling java cuts that down by 50% or more.

I could be wrong. programming isn't my strong suit.

[John Rogers]

There are several methods or languages to program with depending on how you want the programs to run. Older ones like C or C++ run on the client (your) machine where ones like HTML/PHP, Oracle Forms run on the server. Oracle Forms is somewhat special as it is mainly for running against their databases. JAVA is a bit of both as the code can reside on a server and "jar" files are sent to the client usually and the associated libraries are also sent.

If you have a few minutes of spare time, here are some links to explain the whys and such of the various languages.

JAVA
1. How Java Works

HTML/PHP
HowStuffWorks "How HTML5 Works"

Oracle Forms
Oracle Forms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

C++
HowStuffWorks "How C Programming Works"

[wdfifteen]

That was very helpful John. Now I have an image of what it's doing. Thank you.

[LeeH]

Seems to be a necessary evil. I do loose faith in any company that forces me to UNCHECK a box to keep from installing unwanted tool bars, or switching my default search engine with every update.

[Head416]

I hate Java. I've never seen a piece of software with so many compatibility problems. The typical experience is that you update Java, then some mission critical piece of software stops working, so you have to uninstall the new version and reinstall the old version. But then your Accounting department HAS to have the latest version because their bank requires it for their web-based tools. At this point it's best to make sure there are no small children around because of all the swearing.

[john70t]

I have Java/DRM/etc/etc disabled in Firefox.
Do not trust.

I also have JavaScript disabled via the NoScript and Ghostery addons.
Do not want.

Everything not needed to display any simple web page with pics...in HTML...is out the window.

[John Rogers]

Some things to consider when selecting what language to use is the life of the language and how the company support is. As an example, the last company I worked at before I retired in Jan. of 2009 had an excellent aircraft maintenance and management system. I used Oracle databases which are great for security on high transaction systems, Oracle Forms which as I noted was pretty much developed to provide the necessary interface to the users and Apache Tomcat with HTTPS for fairly secure comms between users and the application server. We had about 1900 forms or screens and 450 reports which all had been blessed by the FAA. Soooooo, a couple of new VPs came in and both were so hot on open source software you could not stand close to them!!! The convinced the CEO to do a switch to JAVA for the front end and MySQL for the database and they weren't sure what to use for client connections yet. At a meeting we had with all our programmers, support folks, DBA (me) and the sysadmin an estimate was worked up to give a time frame for conversion. Never mind NONE of the programmers had programmed in JAVA but they said it could be done in a year or less! That works out to around 7 forms a day and since each one has a couple thousand lines of PLSQL/C++/etc behind them AND there was not software that can convert that to JAVA, at the end of the first six months there were 4 forms converted and at the end of a year 6 more! By that time the customers had found out what was happening and all bailed, including me, who retired!

[cstreit]

Very little these days for web browsing. Still used for client applications. It's also a potential security risk if not managed properly. I'd delete it. If you miss something you can always reinstall easily from Oracle.