Features of Java

Published: (February 5, 2026 at 12:15 AM EST)
2 min read
Source: Dev.to

Source: Dev.to

Cover image for Features of Java

Key features of Java

1. Object‑oriented programming (OOP)

  • Java follows the object‑oriented programming paradigm, which means it revolves around objects and classes.
  • A class defines the structure of objects, and an object is an instance of a class that contains both data (attributes) and methods (functions).
  • OOP promotes reusability, maintainability, and scalability of code. By organizing code into classes and objects, Java encourages modular development, making it easier to manage large codebases.

Disadvantages

  • Can be more complex for beginners.
  • OOP systems can be slower due to the overhead of objects.

2. Platform‑independent

  • Java’s platform independence comes from its ability to run on any device or operating system that has the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed.
  • Java programs are compiled into bytecode, which the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) can execute on any platform.
  • This allows developers to write code once and run it anywhere, minimizing the need to worry about different operating systems or hardware.

3. High performance

  • Java offers high performance through Just‑in‑Time (JIT) compilation and other optimization techniques that improve execution speed.
  • The code can be compiled to native machine code at runtime.
  • High performance is useful for building responsive applications that handle large datasets and real‑time processing needs effectively.

4. Multithreaded

  • Java supports multithreading, allowing multiple threads to run concurrently within a program.
  • This improves efficiency by enabling applications to handle many tasks at once.
  • Multithreading is essential for responsive and interactive applications, such as downloading files while processing user input simultaneously.

5. Robust

  • Java is robust thanks to strong memory management, exception handling, and garbage collection mechanisms.
  • Its strong type‑checking system minimizes errors during runtime.

6. Secure

  • Java provides a secure environment through features like bytecode verification, automatic garbage collection, and a security manager that limits access to resources.
  • The security model helps prevent unauthorized access and protects against malicious attacks, which is vital for applications dealing with sensitive data or remote systems.

7. Simple

  • Java is considered simple to use due to its straightforward syntax, which is similar to C++.
  • The language avoids complex features such as operator overloading, multiple inheritance, and pointers, making it easier to learn and use.
Back to Blog

Related posts

Read more »

Java Features::

Java programming language was initially developed to work on embedded systems, set‑top boxes, and television. By requirement, it was designed to run on varied p...

Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs)

Class Example: Car is a class. Different cars may have different names and brands, but all share common properties like four wheels, speed limit, and mileage....

Introduction to Java

!Cover image for Introduction to Javahttps://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=1000,height=420,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s...