Various versions of Java and their differences

codezone
3 min readMar 13, 2024

Java, developed by Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle Corporation), is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. Since its inception in the mid-1990s, Java has evolved through various versions, each introducing new features, improvements, and updates. Understanding the differences between these versions is crucial for Java developers to make informed decisions about which version to use for their projects. In this article, we’ll explore the various versions of Java and their key differences.

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Java 1.0

Java 1.0, released in 1996, marked the initial launch of the Java programming language. It introduced several fundamental features, including the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which allows Java programs to run on any device or operating system with a compatible JVM installed. Java 1.0 also introduced the core packages and classes that form the foundation of the Java Standard Edition (Java SE) platform.

Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE)

The Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE), introduced significant updates and enhancements over the original Java 1.0 release. Some key features introduced in J2SE include:

  • Swing API: A set of GUI (Graphical User Interface) components for building rich, interactive user…

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