What is Java?

Java is a High-level Programming language and platform. It allows developers to write computer instruction using commands in the English language rather than numeric codes. It is called High-Level language because it's high level of abstraction allows humans to write and read easily.Like other languages, Java allows has a set of rules which determines how instruction should be written.These set of rules are called 'Syntax'.After a program has been written in Java, the high-level instructions are translated into numeric codes that computers can understand and execute.

The Java Programming Language Platforms

There are four key platforms upon which programmers develop Java applications:

➤Java SE(Standard edition): Simple, stand-alone applications are developed using Java Standard Edition. Formerly known as J2SE, Java SE provides all of the API's needed to develop traditional standalone desktop applications. 

➤Java EE(Enterprise Edition): The Java Enterprise Edition, formerly known as J2EE provides the ability to create a server-side controller that can respond to a web-based request-response cycle. This arrangement allows the creation of Java programs that can interact with internet-based clients, including web browsers.

➤Java ME(Micro-Edition): Java also provides a lightweight platform for the mobile development known as Java Micro Edition, formerly known as J2ME. Java ME has proved a very popular platform for embedded system development where memory element is in abundant.In terms of smartphone development, Android has become the mobile development platform of choice.

➤JavaFX: JavaFX is a platform for creating rich internet applications using a lightweight user-interface API. JavaFX applications make use of hardware-accelerated graphics and media engines to take advantage of higher-performance clients and a stylish look-and-feel as well as high-level APIs for connecting to networked data sources. JavaFX applications may be applications developed on Java EE platform.