Unique Java Uses
While this list is already fairly comprehensive, it is just scratching the surface of what Java is truly capable of. While all of these situations or uses may not be applicable to every Java development company or independent developer, it is interesting to note just how versatile, useful, and inspiring this programming language can be.
The Internet of Things – From smart house appliances and security cameras to enormous industrial machinery and simple sensors, the IoT is just about everywhere these days. What is less commonly known, however, is the fact that many of these devices are built and programmed with the power of Java.
For example, Java is used to build smart vending machines. They use software to track factors such as temperature, location, humidity, and inventory inside of the machines. This saves vendors the time and effort of manually having to check these machines and money in any lost revenue because of a malfunction. Wearable technological applications, such as smartwatches, are also commonly built with Java. Nest Thermostats are also built with a combination of artificial intelligence and Java and are one of the most popular smart home devices on the market.
The Cloud – It seems as though every technology is moving towards the cloud – and many software developers are using Java to build these cloud-based application services, APIs, client applications, and many other pieces of cloud tech. Java’s proven track record of working just about anywhere fits nicely into the world of the cloud, as both mobile and desktop applications in the cloud work the same no matter where they are physically running.
The process of “mocking” is frequently used in cloud development as well. In this simulation process, software objects simulate objects from the real world to see if the unit tests pass or fail. Mokito runs on Java and is one of the most popular and useful packages for the mocking process.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration – NASA uses Java for quite a few different applications within their daily workings. One such application is World Wind. This software development kit allows the user to zoom in on Earth from outer space to examine any location using a combination of Shuttle Radar Topography mission data and satellite imagery. NASA engineers also use Java in various roles for space missions.
Virtual Doctor’s Visits – One of the newest trends in the medical community is the use of virtual visits to a doctor or “telemedicine.” This allows patients to stay in their homes while still receiving the medical assessment they need. An example of this is Doctor Online, which uses Java for its application modules and allows for quick, simple doctor and patient interactions. Although we have yet to see artificial intelligence-powered robots powered by Java and acting as doctors, it’s safe to expect that at some point in the near future.
Building Video Games – Some of the most popular video games of today, including Minecraft and God of War: Betrayal, run on Java. With the power of Open JavaFX, Java fixed the headache that used to be working with enormous and detailed images while other Java gaming libraries also help with the process. Many different aspects of video game creation, testing, and design have been built on Java.
Big Data Analysis – Big data is one of the most-used buzzwords in technology today and presents some very interesting uses of tech. By harnessing the power of data analysis and data science, engineers are able to discern new patterns in enormous amounts of previously overwhelming data. A wide variety of tools are available to help engineers in their quest to make sense of said data, many of which use Java. Libraries and frameworks, such as Java Machine Learning Library and Java Data Mining Package along with many others.
Self-Driving Cars – With the popularity of self-driving cars exploding over the last few years thanks to Tesla and other major automobile companies, more and more brands are stepping up to the self-driving plate. These cars use a combination of many advanced technologies in order to safely work, including robotics to steer the car and artificial intelligence in sensors to avoid obstacles and other cars. Java application development comes into play to help ensure that all of these systems are working together to keep passengers safe at all times.
Java for All
No matter the industry, sector, or niche of a company, Java applies to nearly every kind of technological project. Its use cases are virtually endless and the tech community can only expect it to continue to reign supreme as one of the most in-demand and useful programming languages on the market. From exploring outer space and powering virtual reality to relying on the language for safety on the road and making virtual visits to the doctor, the future of Java is nearly limitless.