Java is a high level general purpose programming language developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems, which is now a part of Oracle Corporation. It was released in 1995 as a part of Sun Microsystems' Java platform.
Developers use different editions of the Java platform to create Java programs that run on desktop computers, web browsers, web servers, mobile information devices (such as feature phones), and embedded devices (such as television set-top boxes).
Let us look each edition in detail.
Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE):
The Java platform for developing applications, which are stand-alone programs that run on desktops. Java SE is also used to develop applets, which are programs that run in web browsers.
Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE):
The Java platform for developing enterprise-oriented applications and servlets, which are server programs that conform to Java EE’s Servlet API. Java EE is built on top of Java SE.
Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME):
The Java platform for developing MIDlets, which are programs that run on mobile information devices, and Xlets, which are programs that run on embedded devices.
You can develop a wide range of applications using Java. For example, Desktop Softwares, Server Applications, Games, Mobile Applications, ATM softwares, etc.
