My strange question

[silverglade]

Hi, yes I have a strange question. What is java used for? See, I was told java is not really used for desktop apps, and that people don't really use applets anymore. And I thought that JSP and SERVLETS do the web apps. So if they do the web apps, and java is not used for desktop apps really, then what is java used for then? please any advice greatly appreciated, as this is disturbing me as I am learning java right now. Thanks. Derek:D

note I also posted this here

[Bloitz]

I don't really know how Java is used in everyday life now since I'm in my first year of IT-studies. I do know they use Java to introduce people to Object-Oriented programming since it's a fairly easy language. I think it's a bit like learning to ride a bicycle, at first you have to use side-wheels or some help from someone else (Java) and after a while you get the hang of it and start riding on your own (C++ or whatever is used most out there). This is just my newbie opinion though so whatever the others say, they're probably right.

PS: I know it's a shit metaphor because I learned to ride without side-wheels or help and turned out okay without major brain damage from the countless falls :)

[dlorde]

I'm curious to know who told you that. Java is widely used for desktop apps (it has several decent GUI libraries available), and applets are still in use (though they were called 'obsolete technology' years ago). However, these days there's naturally a lot of emphasis on web development, and server-side Java is widely used there. JSP and Servlets rely on Java code to drive them (didn't you even check what wikipedia says? "JavaServer Pages (JSP) is a Java technology...A servlet is a Java programming language class"), and frameworks like Spring and Hibernate are Java based.

I'm surprised you've started learning Java without even a preliminary overview of where, why, and how it is used.

[silverglade]

Thank you dlorde, I am copying and pasting that into my "learning java" file so I never forget it. LOL. Yes I have looked at wikipedia. But not recently. So I must have forgotten or something I don't know. But thank you for answering my question. That makes sense. I am glad java is used for desktop apps because I like doing them. It was someone either on the forum or in one of my books that said that Java is not really widely used for desktop apps. So I guess they were wrong. Good. Thank you. Derek:D

[Petr]

@dlorde
Can you say though few software products where Java is used for create GUI, Of course exclude IDE for Java (Netbeans, Eclipse and other)?

[silverglade]

Here is a post regarding that I found on google.

Famous Java Applications (Teachers' Lounge forum at JavaRanch)

[dlorde]

@dlorde
Can you say though few software products where Java is used for create GUI, Of course exclude IDE for Java (Netbeans, Eclipse and other)?

I can't parse the question, but if you want to find popular Java applications, try this.

[Petr]

I know how use google.
You said that Java is widely used for desktop apps. So can you declare examples your words?

[dlorde]

I think it's a bit like learning to ride a bicycle, at first you have to use side-wheels or some help from someone else (Java) and after a while you get the hang of it and start riding on your own (C++ or whatever is used most out there).

I spent over 10 years developing C++ applications before moving to Java. I found it a relief to drop the technical challenges of the C++ language and have more time and energy to focus on the application design. There's stuff I miss, like deterministic destructors and the Standard Template Library, but I wouldn't go back.

[oliver_watkins]

Java has a hugely rich desktop capability. Swing is powerful and you can do about anything. SWT is also good, and there are pretty good Java RIA techonologies out there like vaadin and GWT.

If you want some Swing examples look under 'Swing Showcase' on my blog. I have built about 8 Swing apps in the past 10 years.

[dlorde]

I know how use google.
You said that Java is widely used for desktop apps. So can you declare examples your words?

Apart from the popular applications you'll find with Google, there's lots used commercially. The companies where I worked used plenty of them, mostly in-house developed. I think you'll find that is not uncommon. There's little point naming them, as they're typically internal developments or specialist apps with obscure names.

Why is it apparently so important to you?

[Tolls]

Android apps.

[Petr]

Because I don't look a good vacancies on develop gui app in Java.
and I have tried to find same vacancies on odesk and I have the same result. So I can say that Java in desktop app is not use or rare things.

But you say that Java is widely used for desktop app. It is wrong and will be confuse newbies.

[Tolls]

No.
It is widely used.
Just not in areas where people pay you money.

For that you generally need to be (as I am) working on servers.

[Petr]

Just not in areas where people pay you money.

)) It is nice. Then I don't understand how people can living if they don't get money.
It is rhetorical idea. :)

[dlorde]

... I have tried to find same vacancies on odesk and I have the same result. So I can say that Java in desktop app is not use or rare things.

You're not likely to find many vacancies for desktop application development because companies are more likely to be looking for web-based development skills. If they have existing Java desktop apps they want to enhance, they'll be looking to migrate them online; otherwise, for maintenance, any Java programmer will do.

But you say that Java is widely used for desktop app. It is wrong and will be confuse newbies.

The answer I gave is true in my experience, but the relevance depends on the exact question you're asking. Vacancies for Java desktop development are something else. The fact that there are still many Java desktop applications in commercial use doesn't mean there will be many new desktop Java apps in development, or demand for desktop developers. Apart from tools and utilities, fat clients are being dropped in favour of thin clients and browser-based systems. Business vision is typically a couple of years or more behind the current leading edge of development for good commercial reasons, but it is moving forward.

If you're looking for commercial Java work, I'd recommend an emphasis on web-based Java and good familiarity with popular server-side frameworks.