Why Java for Game Development?

The complex nature of game programming makes it essential for programmer to pick a programming language he is already proficient in. However, he still needs to consider several factors while choosing a programming language for the gaming project. Along with choosing an easy-to-learn language, the programmer also need to check if the language is fast and powerful enough for game development, compatible with game development APIs and libraries, and compatible with widely used platforms and devices. As a powerful object oriented programming language, Java meets all these criterions. There are also several features that make Java the best programming language for game development.

 

What Makes Java the Best Programming Language for Game Development?

 

Easy to Use: Java is much simpler to code and maintain than other programming languages. So the game developers can write, compile and debug the code without putting any extra effort. At the same time, the object-oriented feature of Java enables them to create modular programs and reuse the code. The game developer can rely on Java to curtail the game development and deployment time.

 

Compatibility: Java runs on a virtual machine called JVM. So the Java byte code can run smoothly on various widely used platforms. The feature makes it easier for game developers to create games that run on multiple platforms. As Java is platform-independent at both source and binary levels, it becomes easier for programmers to deploy the game by switching from one system to another.

 

Multithreaded: Most game developers opt for multithreaded programming languages to simultaneously perform several tasks within the game. Many programming language accomplish multithreading through operating system-specific procedures. But Java is designed with integrated multithreaded programming. That is why; it is one of the most effective programming languages to create timer-based game loop system. Also, programmers can avail the multithreading feature of Java to perform multiple tasks within the game at a time.

 

Large Amount of Libraries: The game developers also have option to avail a large collection of Java libraries. They can simply use a specific Java library to accomplish specific tasks without writing lengthy and complex code. Java 8 further enables developers to simplify their code using lambda expressions. The feature further helps them in writing code that is compact, simple and easy-to-maintain. The reduced boilerplate code improves the productivity of developers, while curtailing the game development time.

 

Option to Create Mesmerizing Graphics: Like other applications, games also use eye-popping graphics to keep the users engaged. The quality of the graphic can also have a direct impact on the game’s popularity. Java 8 comes with a graphics toolkit called JavaFX 8. The standard development kit includes innovative UI controls, HTML5 support, 3D graphics feature and embedded graphics stack. So it becomes easier for developers to optimize the overall look, feel and appeal of the video game by incorporating eye-popping images.

 

Java Game Development Tools: The game developers also have option to use several powerful Java game development tools. As Java is used widely for Android mobile apps and games, it also becomes easier for the developers to create games by targeting the most popular mobile platform. Some of the powerful 3-D game engines like jMonkeyEngine have made it easier for developers to create 3D worlds for games that run seamlessly on multiple platforms and devices. As these open source game engines are written in Java, these can be modified by the game programmers without using any other programming language.

 

Despite being used widely for web application development, Java is still considered by many game programmers to be unsuitable for video game development. But you will find several popular notable and popular video games designed using Java. It is always important to evaluate the features of Java according to the specific needs of the game development project to decide the right programming language. You can get in touch with Java application development companies who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

 

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Why is Java the Preferred Language when It Comes to Banking Applications?

Several reports have highlighted that a large number of financial institutions and banks rely on Java as a high performance programming language to build mission-critical financial applications. Unlike other financial applications, banking applications need to be modified and updated frequently to meet the most recent guidelines issued by the Central Bank. At the same time, the banking applications also need to be scaled regularly to meet Service Level Agreement (SLA). As Java is designed to have minimum implementation dependency, it becomes easier for the banks to maintain and scale their applications in a flexible way. There are also a number of factors that make Java the preferred language for building banking applications.

What Makes Java the Preferred Language for Banking Application Development?

 

Platform Independent

The compatibility of a banking application will have a huge impact on the user experience. The financial institutions opt for a programming language that makes it easier to move from one computer systems. In addition to allowing enterprises to easily switch from one computer system to another, Java further enables them to run the same program smoothly on multiple systems. As the programming language is platform-independent at both source and binary levels, it becomes easier for the developers to optimize the banking application’s compatibility.

 

Multithreaded

As a banking app has to perform a number of different tasks at a time, it becomes complex and complicated. The developers rely on Java as it is a multithreaded programming language. It can be seamlessly integrated into systems, procedures and applications. Unlike other programming languages, Java does not enable multithreading by relying on operating system-specific procedures. Thus, the banking application can be integrated seamlessly with third-party services, systems and applications.

 

Facilitates Distributed Computing

Nowadays, most banking applications are being deployed in a distributed environment. So programmers have to explore ways to simplify distributed computing. Java comes with networking capability that is integrated into it. So it makes it easier for developers to adopt distributed computing. The programmers can use Java to write network programs just like sending and receiving data to/from a file.

 

Reliable and Secure

Java is also considered as one of the most secure and reliable programming language for creating financial apps. As it emphasizes on checking errors during the early stages, it becomes easier for programmers to deliver a flawless application. Java compilers can effectively identify the problems that will appear during the execution time in other languages. Likewise, Java language, runtime environment, compiler and interpreter are designed with features to optimize the security and accessibility of banking apps.

 

Adopt Cloud-Based Technologies

A constant increase is noted in the number of financial institutions adopting cloud-based technologies to curtail hardware cost. As a server side programming language, Java enables enterprises to switch to cloud computing without any hassle. While developing a banking application, the enterprise Java developers need to concentrate on where the code will be deployed. They only need to ensure that the code passes the required unit tests. Thus, Java helps enterprises in launching banking apps with virtual infrastructure.

 

Easy to Update Applications

As noted earlier, in comparison to other financial apps, banking applications need to be updated more frequently. Whenever there is a change in the Central Bank guideline or Service Level Agreement, the banking app needs to be updated to incorporate these changes. Further, the banking applications must be modified immediately to implement the changes without any delay. In comparison to other programming languages, Java programs can be written, compiled and debugged in a quick and hassle-free way. Thus, Java makes it easier for programmers to update the banking apps without any delay.

 

Many enterprises even opt for Java while creating banking application to save money. As Java is an open source technology, it can be used without paying licensing fees and royalty to Oracle. The open source nature makes it easier for small financial institutions to launch banking applications that delivers richer user experience, without requiring customers to pay additional fees.

 

You can get in touch with Java application development companies who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

 

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Make software development easier with Java 7

Java 7 has been in the software development world for quite some time now. The variety of features, bug fixes as well as enhancements in it has led to improved efficiency in the development as well as running of Java programs when compared to Java 6. In fact, many developers have a love-hate relationship with the next version; but about the benefits of this particular version almost all of those people are unanimous. There are many features that have led to this intense popularity. Some of them have been discussed here.

One catch block with multiple exception- The very first feature that most people have fallen in love with when using this version is the fact that multiple Exception can be caught in a single catch block. This feature known as multicatch block is an important feature in Exception handling since it helps in reduction of clutter in the handling code.

 

String used in Switch case- Before Java 7, String could not be used in case or Switch statement. Now with the addition of Strings the switch instruction has become much friendlier. Previously the alternative was to use else/if/else if statements which had to be paired with string.equals calls. The alternative implemented now has resulted in a more compact and cleaner code.

 

Automatic resource management- Generally a developer closes resources like input/outstreams, files, connections, etc manually through bog-standard codes. However, with this version the resources can be managed automatically. The operation is quite simple too; just the resources have to be declared.

Type inference through Diamond operator <>- With the introduction of Generics, programmers had to face a couple of tough challenges- its verbose nature and that duplicate code was generated. With the feature called Diamond operator <> introduced in Java 7, type inference is provided when Generic classes’ object is created. This method is very easy for that purpose and is far better than the Factory method creation.

 

Invokedynamic, for support of non-Java languages– Invokedynamic is a bytecode that has been newly introduced. This feature has an exciting part; improved support is provided for compiling programs where dynamic typing is used. Dynamically typed languages such as bash scripts, Ruby, etc as well as statically typed ones like Java need such instructions for the support of these kinds of variables. Many kinds of languages that are not Java based are supported by JVM. However, with the support of this instruction, the JVM becomes more language independent. This acts as great news for those who love implementing components in various languages or want interoperability between the standard Java programs and those languages.

 

Fork Join framework- The existence of Fork join framework has been as an individual JSR even before the particular version of the language came into existence. Now the version has got an additional feature in the form of this framework and it has become a part of its standard core library. By virtue of this framework, developers will be able to write codes by taking benefit of multiple cores that are available in modern servers.

 

Improved version of File IO API- Java.nio package has gone through many changes and finally a new package has emerged known as java.nio.file. This package has several interfaces as well as classes like Paths, Path, FileSystems, FileSystem, etc. The new classes have helped improve a developer’s life when he or she attempts to work with several file systems. Static methods are also provided for operations which are file related; like an entire file can be read very easily through readAllLines. Symbolic links can be created as well by this class. Another important feature is the setting of file permissions for file systems that are POSIX compliant.

 

Looking at the list of features that Java 7 has, it leaves no doubts as to why it has become so popular among developers over the other versions. Moreover these are only a few of the most popular features. There are several more features which have made software development a much easier action. You can get in touch with a java web development company India who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

 

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Features in Java 8 That Will Change the Way You Code

As a widely used computer programming language, Java needs no introduction. The class-based and object-oriented programming language further enables developers to run the same code on multiple platforms without recompilation. Recently, Oracle released Java 8 with a set of new features, enhancements and bug fixes to complement the most recent trends in software development. Some of these features at the JVM and programming language level will even change the way you code.

Five Java 8 Features That Will Change the Way You Code

1) Lambada Expressions

Implementation of Lambada expressions is one of the most significant features of java 8. The dominant feature will make you change your coding habits. You can use the feature to use Java like other prominent functional programming languages. Also, the features make Java usable with functional JVM-based languages like Clojure and Scala. The Lambadas have further been integrated tightly into the core language libraries related to array and collection libraries. So the coding will be incorporated into the Java code written by both in-house and third-party developers.

2) Parallel Operations

Along with Lambada expressions, Java 8 also comes with a key concept to facilitate parallel operations. Often programmers are required to use loop operations to facilitate internal iteration. But Lambada expressions make it easier for them to carry on actual iteration over a collection. They can simply invoke a Lambada function to carry out the iteration through a core library. The function will act as an extension of iterators to extract the next item from a collection. You can avail the feature to sort, filter and map the items while the processing is carried on simultaneously by the framework.

3) New Date and Time API

Java 8 also comes with a completely revamped data and time API. The API allows developers to handle date and time in a natural, easier-to-understand and more natural way. Thus, now it becomes easier for you to avoid the complex native Java library API that was using conventionally to handle date and time. The most recent of Java further implements the data and tome API from scratch to facilitate clean operation to manipulate the values in a format that is readable by both humans and machines.

4) Nashhorn JavaScript Engine

Oracle has further integrated the Nashhorn JavaScript Engine into JDK. The Java applications can access the high performance yet lightweight engine through the existing APIs. You can avail the features to eliminate the gap between Java and JavaScript. While integrating JavaScript into your backend, you are no longer required to set up a node.js. The code can be executed simply by using the JVM. Thus, you are not required to use several IPC and RPC methods to bridge the gap between Java and JavaScript.

5) Concurrent Accumulators

Many developers find it a daunting to decide the right way to update numeric counters that are accessed simultaneously by multiple threads. A developer also has option to update the numeric counter through read/write locks, synchronized blocks or AtomicInteger. Each option requires the programmers to implement the semantics 100% accurately. But Java 8 makes it easier for you to update the numeric counters without any hassle by using the new concurrent accumulator classes. The concurrent accumulators can increase or decrease the value of the numeric counter in an efficient and thread safe manner. Further, you can use the class without worrying about the accuracy of semantics.

The most anticipated version of Java also comes with several security enhancements. You can use an advanced mechanism to replace the existing hand-maintained list of caller sensitive methods. In addition to identifying the methods accurately, the mechanism further makes their callers discoverable in a reliable and efficient way. You can get in touch with a Java web services development company who can help you develop applications that are stable, scalable and secure.

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Java mobile application trends for 2013

Upcoming trends should never be ignored in the mobile domain. By 2013 end, we will definitely be witnesses to the number of tablets and Smartphones across the globe surpassing the number of PCs. Specifically, the tablet claims to be the prime enterprise-oriented device of the future era. The abundance of cellular devices in emerging as well as established markets is triggering continuous and rapid evolution amongst mobile app developers, independent software vendors, OS designers, cell phone manufacturers, cloud vendors, enterprise IT and training institutions. Here we bring to you certain opportunities and challenges that the 2013 mobile app trends of Java may bring forth.

Mobile would become the prime channel for software access
It is a fact that a number of the modern day Smartphone apps are more potent in comparison with the enterprise software two decades back. Currently the apps are recording a highly volatile consumption level. In the year 2010, IDC projected that 76.9 billion apps would be downloaded globally by 2014. Going by this, the enterprise would need to go for a wider range of software vendors. With this kind of usage becoming the custom, businesses are required to consider licensing terms all the more.

IT will don the role of mobile mediator
No doubt IT has taken up the responsibility of rendering support to cell phone users within the enterprise setting. Although cloud is taking care of some of the administration responsibilities on behalf of IT, the cellular space does indeed require good amount of additional work. This might incorporate the following:

• Evaluation, aggregation and purchase of downloadable apps for enterprise utilization.
• Assistance to app users across a range of devices and platforms.
• Devising, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of policies for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) usage.
• Ensuring security of enterprise data which might gain exposure to mobile apps.

Security threats in the cellular domain has been a cause of concern for quite a long time now, but 2013 is more likely to bring to light some of the great drawbacks in this area. According to RIIS founder and ‘Decompiling Android’ author Godfrey Nolan, hacker’s can completely access a developer’s code since they are able to reverse-engineer the same utilizing some pretty uncomplicated de-compilation tool. Seen from a developer’s point of view, the number of people eyeing mobile applications is not much. At present there are very few mobile applications that are completely protected.

Enterprise will foray into the mobile domain
In order to regain control over their data within the mobile space, enterprises will be inclined towards creation of their own applications. Large businesses (exterior to the ISV domain) will also start offering customers their own apps directly. It has already been seen that retailers in a number of local malls are rendering a 3D barcode or a downloadable app to customers possessing Smartphones. Again we have fast food restaurants which facilitate placing of order through mobile apps even before clients can reach the drive thru.

Healthcare, hospitality and travel, energy, pharmaceuticals, education, logistics, and a number of other industry verticals are planning to elevate their app development service for outside users to newer levels in 2013. New entrants will definitely get to know that the first app developed might not be up to the mark. Continuous improvement revolving around user feedback must be taken into consideration.

One of the greatest challenges that enterprises have to face is the ever increasing number of factors that come into play during the design, development as well as deployment phase. Hence it is obvious that with the advent of each new generation of cell phones, developers would need to take into account endless adjustments.

IT will be of great significance
By 2013, IT will have full power to exploit the opportunity of becoming the mastermind of analytics and big data. As mobile forays into the domain of enterprise data, IT would get the scope of utilizing this information storehouse in the form of a feedback mechanism for improvement of business processes.

Going by the upcoming Java mobile application trends in 2013, enterprises would definitely need big data as well as mobile development experts. The crux is that some of the required skills are not yet taught as they are extremely new. With this knowledge gap coming to the forefront, it is a big question as to where our subsequent generation of cellular phone experts will appear from. Let’s wait and watch as employers go globe-hunting for talent. Java mobile app development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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