5 Surprising Things You Didn't Know You Could Do with Java

There are a wide variety of programming languages available for programmers everywhere. Many people have their preferences, but Java remains one of the most popular and versatile programming languages for unlimited projects.

Java, created in 1996, still has plenty of real-world applications today. Some of the tools you use on a daily basis could be based on Java software — even some of the things you might not expect.

There are countless application software examples of Java use, including web applications, software tools, automation, games, Android apps, and much more. As computer programming has started impacting other industries, Java has continued to provide new and exciting uses.

Even if you’re familiar with Java and its many uses, there still might be some surprising ways programmers implement it into common applications you might not be familiar with.

Here are five uses unique for Java software that you may not have known.

1. Smart Appliances

Computer programming isn’t limited to just computers anymore. Of course, it's found in mobile devices and other smaller gadgets, but now everyday household items can have programming integrated into their use, including Java software.

The Internet of Things — meaning the connectivity of everyday devices to smart homes and other electronic controllers — makes Java and other programming languages necessary for their suctions. From smart light bulbs, doorbells, thermostats, cameras, smart appliances, and much more, it’s hard to go through an entire day without using the Internet of Things.

Java software powers many of these devices, and there’s a good reason behind that. Java software can be designed to track a wide variety of factors in these gadgets, giving manufacturers the ability to track and identify issues without the manpower of manual inspection.

Considering items used in the Internet of Things are often controlled from a mobile device or a computer, using Java software can help the programs run seamlessly on both ends.

2. Recreate Classic Video Games

If you ever played an old video game system, chances are there are a few retro games you’d love to get your hands on today, just to take a trip down memory lane. Thanks to Java and a little ingenuity, that’s a realistic possibility.

Recreated games can be simple, from reconstructing a specific moment or level to endless replay. They can also be massive and complex, and skilled, patient programmers can bring some of their favorite games back to life in their entirety.

Some of the recreations can include classic mobile games, such as chess Snake or 2048. Others have even taken a stab at remastering old console games. Thanks to Java’s versatility, these new programs can often run on a computer or a mobile device.

If you scroll through the app store on an Android device and find classic games converted into mobile form, there’s a good chance some hard work with Java software brought that game to your hands.

Programming games can serve as a terrific tool for teaching students about the language and how it can build a full program. By having an end goal that’s a familiar application, students can understand the process behind reaching the final product.

3. Virtual Doctor Visits and Automation

Two relatively new concepts to the public involve some big steps in technology, but both lean on Java software to make them happen.

The world of automated cars has grown dramatically in the last decade, and the demand for self-driving cars will only increase as the industry grows in the coming years. Driving might be a normal task for a person, but for a computer, managing all of the factors needed to safely operate a car isn’t easy.

That’s where Java comes in. The programming language can account for a variety of tasks, bringing every step together to make self-driving cars a possibility.

As medical care adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual doctor visits became much more mainstream, helping to keep doctors and patients safer. Those visits don’t happen without Java software.

The use of telemedicine relies on video, sound, and text-based communication to best replicate an actual visit to the doctor. Instead of driving to the doctor’s office, waiting in a room for your appointment, finally getting checked out, and driving back home, patients can simply hop on the computer or phone.

These types of interactions aren’t limited to only doctor visits, either. If you’ve ever logged onto a consumer website, odds are you’ve seen virtual chat boxes on the bottom of the screen. These give you the chance to chat with a company representative, all without the trip to a store.

Those chat boxes and interactions happen because of Java software.

4. Utilize the Cloud

With the increased innovation surrounding the use of the cloud, it shouldn’t be a significant surprise that Java software plays a major role in programs that utilize it. Cloud-based application services, web APIs, client applications, and more can all run on Java.

Java’s versatility has made it indispensable for cloud-based applications. Since the script can run on cloud-based applications, mobile, and desktops programs, seamless integration of information can occur across multiple platforms. Many top Java companies have integrated their work into cloud-based applications.

As companies and programs continue to find ways to make information more accessible across different devices, the adaptability of Java software has made that process easier. In regards to programming languages, Java is so universal in nature that you can transition it to multiple platforms without complications.

Java’s ability to create modular programs and reusable codes has made it a favorite for programmers creating cloud-based applications. Java software also has security features that make it primed for a role in the cloud.

The software’s ability to work on just about any device, from mobile to desktop, makes Java a natural choice for applications and programs looking to expand into the cloud.

5. Build Educational Applications

As technology has become more and more integrated into daily education for people of all ages, chances are multiple programs being used are based on Java software.

Educational programs using Java aren’t limited to teaching tools, either. Grading programs and other pieces of software have their place in educational settings.

Educational programs typically involve building many smaller programs rather than one encompassing larger one. That’s where Java can play a role since the programming language makes it easier to integrate all of the different parts into one.

Using Java for web scraping (collecting content from web pages across the net) can help to repurpose and utilize an abundance of content to produce educational materials. This can be useful if you are trying to put together a list of data or research.

While Python is now the most-taught programming language in schools, Java still has its place. The relative simplicity and straightforward nature of programming in Java make the software a top choice for teaching the basics of programming to new learners. On top of that, Java skills still have plenty of real-world applications.

Conclusion

Java software has unlimited applications. If you’ve hopped on the computer, turned on a light, uploaded a photo to the cloud, or used any piece of technology today, Java software likely played a role in making it happen.

From improving existing technologies to making lives more convenient, Java software has the versatility, simplicity, and universality to make it happen.

Many companies still use the programming language for a multitude of applications, and its usefulness has stood the test of time and innovation.

Of course, there are even more ways Java software can be utilized beyond what we’ve explored here. If you have an idea for an application or a problem that needs solving, Java can most likely provide the solution.