Business Support Internet

Java is probably the most hyped programming language in history. To get right to the point, Java is a *programming language* in the truest sense of the word, not a multimedia object, a CGI program or an extension of a web browser. Java is an object-oriented programming language which has it's root in more mature programming languages such a C++ and Smalltalk. It's strength, and the cause for most of the hype, is that in contrast to most programming languages which exist to date, Java programs can run virtually unchanged on any platform which supports Java.

This was an important step forward, since traditionally software had to be redesigned for each platform it was to run on, which cost both time and money. If a program is written in Java, u on the other hand, the developer has to write the program only once to run on any platform which can handle Java programs. This means a Java program can be delivered to users over the internet, regardless of the platform they are using, and will run on their system to perform a useful function, or at least an entertaining one. Small applications written in Java and delivered this way are called 'applets', and can be used to add spice and activity to a web page.

The potential power of Java goes beyond the fluff that the popular press is preoccupied with, though - since it is a *real* programming language, that means that *real* applications can be created in Java and downloaded to the users computer. Currently Java is hobbled by security constraints which severely limits its usefulness, but it has the potential to completely change the way software is distributed and used. Java can be used to create many wonderful tools to add functionality to a web page, but the casual user should be warned that in the absence of prepackaged Java applets, working with Java requires programming skills and the learning curve may be steep.

WWW References for Java:

The official home of Java at Sun Microsystems Inc. This site will have the latest information on the Java Platform, the latest Java tools for most supported platforms, Java News, and lots of documentation and example code.

Java FAQ from Sun Microsystems Inc.

IDG's Online Magazine for the Java Community

The canonical Java applet site. Users from around the world create and contribute applets to the collection here. Therefore it is a rich resource for Java applets, applications and information which should not be overlooked.

Print References for Java:

Core Java

• Author: Gary Cornell, Cay S. Horstmann
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Pages: 621

Review: (CD Rom included) Excellent! This is the first Java Book published which dispensed with the "What is Java" fluff and dealt directly with *using* Java as a *programming* language. 99% of your questions about Java can be answered right here.
Target: Intermediate to advanced programmer.

Java In a NutShell

• Author: David Flanagam
• Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
• Pages: 438

Review: A great reference guide for the Java Programmer. Not so useful for learning Java, but soon after you get off the ground, this reference is invaluable. This is a clear, concise reference to the Java language with plenty of examples and excellent descriptions of the language that is JAVA(tm). Target: Novice to advanced user, but requires some knowledge to be really useful.

• Author: Laura Lemay & Charles L. Perkins
• Publisher: Sams.net
• Pages: 527

Review: (CD Rom included) A good book for the Java Beginner. Excellent writing and copious examples will bring the novice user up to speed quickly.