What is Java Web Application Development? Well, let’s take a look at Java first.
Java is one of the most widely used languages for programming today. The language is more commonly used for:
developing game consoles
cell phones
data centers
Java applications in laptops.
But, what do you mean by Java web application?
Well, we will dive into web application development, Java, and what is java web application development.
But to give you an idea, here’s what Java web application development means in a nutshell: A process of programming or creating an online application that can be accessed by users across the globe. When such an application is developed using Java, we call it Java Web Application Development.
But hey, we fear invoking the wrath of developers when making it all too simple. That’s because they all WISH that it all could be THAT simple.
Well, they are right. The devils in the details.
Let’s dive into these details and see what is Java Web Application Development. We are going to discuss server-side, client-side, object-orientation, classes, objects, and everything in between.
What Is Java Web Application Development?
Java also comes in handy when it comes to creating web applications. It’s an ideal language that helps in developing dynamic web pages.
Java Web Application Development is a MUST when it comes to making interactive web pages. But, what’s in it for developers? Among other things, Java provides frameworks and libraries to developers for support.
But wait… Is it all going too fast for you? Okay then, forget about Java for a moment. Let’s take you back to what is web application development and start it from scratch.
We will be talking about 5 subheadings under “what is java web application development”.
- What Is Web Application Development
- Using Java, We Can Develop Desktop Application And Web Application
- What is Java?
- What does ‘server-side’ mean?
- Client-Side Vs. Server-Side: Learning The Difference
Helpful Reading: What is Java
What is Web Application Development?
Web Application Development is the process of creating application software. Similarly, Java Web Application Development is the process of developing application software using Java.
What’s Application software? It is a computer program. Application software assists people in performing an activity. So if you are a Gmail user, you will open your Gmail account to check new e-mails and newsletters.
Simply put, Google built the Gmail web application to help users receive and send e-mails.
Similarly, Canva is yet another astounding web application. You can design social media posters, certificates, e-books, and pretty much anything using the Canva web app.
Website Design Process: 5 Easy-To-Follow Steps For Designing A Website
Using Java, We Can Develop Desktop Application And Web Application
We can use Java to develop desktop applications easily. On the other hand, you can develop a web application using Java too. Hence, companies hire Java Web Application Development experts who can create dynamic applications that can function online.
But the question is: What is the difference between a desktop application and a web application?
Desktop applications work on a desktop system. Users cannot use such applications on any device other than a desktop computer or system. For example, Adobe Illustrator is a desktop application. It cannot install and run on a mobile device. On the contrary, web applications are online applications. Therefore, you can use a web application on a mobile device, a desktop computer, a laptop, and even a tab. All you need is an internet connection.
What is Java?
Java is among the most famous and most used programming languages today. It’s a high-level programming language that is generally used for games, mobile computing, desktop computing, and more.
What does the ‘server-side’ mean?
From the perspective of the client-server model, server-side means programs and operations that run on the server. That is where all the data exists. The ‘server-side’ is also referred to as the ‘backend’.
This is contrary to the client’s side, which means the perspective of a user. So, whenever a user inserts a query, the software displays the data on the screen ‘client-side’ which is taken from the database ‘server’ or the server-side
Client-Side Vs. Server Side: Learning The Difference
When we talk about business, a client means a customer. The person who buys the product or hires a service. Similarly in Java, client means the person who downloads your application and uses it. So when we are talking about ‘client’ in Java, it simply means ‘user’. If you are using Facebook Application, you are a ‘client’ or ‘user’.
Now, let’s say you are using an online dictionary that has been developed using java web development. You type ‘synonyms for development’ and hit search. That is ‘client’s query’ which means the user of the application wants to know something, in this case, it’s synonym for the word “development”.
But all of these synonyms must be stored in the database, right? Now the question is, how will the relevant information from the data be displayed to the client? Well, Java is the answer. The programming language will take out the relevant data from the database and display it to you.
So all the work that Java did with the data is called dealing with the server’s side. All of that happens on the back-end, a place where data, details, and information are stored. Whenever a client needs to know something, Java searches for it in the database and brings it to your screen, “the client’s side”.
So, as we said that Java is an object-oriented language Hey! You have been writing this all along. What does it mean to be object-oriented?! Oh, okay. My bad. Let’s talk about what are objects in Java first.
What Are Objects In Java?
Objects in Java are the literal objects that you can see in the real world. And just how you would categorize them based on their features, they are categorized similarly in Java as well. Their distinct features, behavior, and the state of being are the three features that help programmers characterize these objects.
Objects Are Characterized By Three Main Features:
- Identity.
- State.
- Behavior.
Example Of Objects In Java:
Object: Lighter.
- Identity: Manufacturing ID (but don’t get it wrong though. Anything unique can be declared as an identity of an object, it doesn’t have to be its ID number)
- State: On and Off.
- Behaviors: Turn Off and On
What Are Classes In Java?
So until now, we have talked about objects, right? Let’s discuss some classy stuff here now.
Think about mobile phones for a moment. There are millions of mobile phones across the globe that share the same make and model.
All mobile phones that share the same model were made from the same material.
Thus, we say that your mobile phone is an ‘instance’ of the class of objects that are known as ‘mobile phones’
What Is An Instance Of A Class?
‘Instance’ simply means that the object belongs to or is a member of a given class.
What Does It Mean To Be Object-Oriented?
Just like every organization, software needs a structure. Now for structuring software, we need a paradigm. What is a paradigm? It’s a method to perform tasks and solve problems. That helps in structuring software.
Now, Object-Oriented Programming is a programming paradigm.
Wait. What Is A Paradigm now? Cool down… Paradigm is a method. The core purpose of this method is to perform tasks and solve problems in software.
The object-Oriented approach, as the name tells, uses objects and classes for structuring a software/program.
So, what are classes? Well, you can think about them as categories. These categories or ‘classes’ inform the user or ‘client’ about the attributes/qualities/features that the category will have.
For example, a Car is a class or a category. Now, every car has a brand and a color. These are its attribute. But, classes do not define the value of these attributes, such as the measurement of how much paint is applied on the car.
So that’s with the classes. Now let’s get back to discussing object-oriented programming.
Object-Oriented programming structures the software program into reusable pieces of code. Wait, what does that mean?
It means that every object, let’s say a car, will have a brand, color, and model. These three classes can be reused to represent all the cars that are in the application database.
Simply put, every car that will be displayed to the user or ‘the client’ will have three categories: Color, model, and brand.
Over To You
Don’t let the local listenings intimidate and hardcore terminologies confuse you. It might not be easy to become a java web application developer.
But as far as the language is concerned, it is not too complicated. Since it’s not a language that you speak every day, it not going to be a comfortable process learning it. However, you can do wonders once you learn it.
So, did you enjoy reading the post? Did we leave out something important to discuss? Leave a comment and claps below to let us know what you think!