Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language that is widely used for developing web, desktop, and mobile applications. It was first released in 1995 and has since become one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Java is known for its “write once, run anywhere” principle, which means that code written in Java can run on any platform that supports Java, without the need for recompilation.

Java programs are compiled into bytecode, which can be executed on any JVM (Java Virtual Machine). This makes Java a platform-independent language and allows developers to write code that can run on multiple operating systems. Java also provides a large standard library that includes classes for everything from basic data types to advanced networking and security features.

Java is commonly used for building enterprise applications, such as web servers, database systems, and financial software. It is also used for developing Android mobile applications, as well as desktop applications using the JavaFX framework. With its strong community and vast ecosystem of libraries and tools, Java remains a popular choice for software development.