Monday, September 17, 2001		Article

Java manages software updates
Sumesh Raizada

WHILE browsing through Web pages, did you ever wonder how was it possible to incorporate sound or moving pictures on the Web and how 3D graphics, pictures or text materials appear together on a page. These may have been a matter of curiosity for most of us, but not for those who are trained and qualified to design Web pages. Thanks to several new languages and operating systems, Web designing is no longer a task for limited few software professionals. Java, a language developed by Sun Microsystems, a couple of years ago has contributed largely for the success of Web revolution all over the world. Java became an instant success among programmers and Web developers as soon as it was introduced. It was and still is the most sought after Web designing languages among the software companies as well as educational institutes. Java is usually referred to as a simple, object-oriented and high performance language. It has numerous applications and advantages over other contemporary languages. This includes introduction of Java applets, which are programs written in Java and require www browser or another Java application to run. Java applications further require interpreter like JVM or Java virtual machine to run the program.

Java is preferred over other languages because of the reliability, speed and compatibility with other systems. Java applets are accessible on the client server side and hence operate faster than those programs that run on remote servers. They can interface with different formats like text, graphics, animation, sound or languages like VRML, etc. Java application programming interface can be used for writing distributed and network programs which can be accessed and shared by remote users. The most important use is in education where it helps in designing lectures for distant or online learning. Since Java compliant www browsers like Netscape or Internet explorer are available free of cost, commercial applications packages and compilers are easily available at affordable prices. Java, thus offers numerous opportunities for IT professionals to choose it as career option mainly as a programmer or application developer.

Java is a compatible and user-friendly language. It can work on any kind of machine like PC, Macintosh, network computer or even the Internet screen phones. It interlinks different computers and devices with each other with utmost ease. Java programs can run directly on any computer or sever without a browser or any other device. Other companies are using Java software on their internal Web sites to streamline communication and the flow of information between various departments, vendors, distributors and end customers. It is being widely utilised by US postal services to provide self-checking forms, etc. Xerox Corporation uses Java-based applications in their operations like design, manufacturing, etc.

Similarly in banks, Java-based applications help in providing access to individual accounts data. It is nowadays being extensively used in NASA space research program also. With Java technology, computer professionals are able to develop several applications that were so far thought to be fictitious. Today from any part of the world, a person can secure access to the data stored on his personal computer if it is connected through the Internet or on a mobile telephone based on Java platform. Java is applied with equal ease in commercial, personal as well as industrial applications. Almost all over the world, organisations are using Java-based applications and hence career opportunities are numerous for the professionals trained or qualified in this language. It is also finding its applications in smart card technology that is incorporating Java TM card technology.

Java software can be automatically delivered over the telephone line or built into the telephone instrument for application like phone directories, calendars, shopping services, etc. The interactive Java software controls behind-the-scene working of telephone and manages software updates also. In wireless phones, the screen display engine provides the visible interface on the phone and interacts with JVM or Java virtual machine. JVM after doing security checks runs the software. Similarly in case of Web browser, Java software are embedded on a Web page which can be stored on the network or disk. When the Web browser sees these references it loads Java software or applets. The applets are then processed by JVM, which is built into the browser. As a result user gets an interactive Java applets running in a browser. The JVM serves as a platform on different kinds of computers say PCs or laptop and operating systems like Unix etc to enable same Java applets to run in Web browsers. In case of desktop computers, Java software are included on a dashboard or start up menu and can stay on the network or hard disk of the computer. In case of servers, the distributed nature of Java technology is ideal for implementing two-tier or more architecture. It integrates with existing computing systems and without platform lock in. The server operating system provides machine specific support for many of the actual operations and interactions.

Basic Java development kit (JDK) is available in three different editions to cater to the needs and type of application requirements. These are Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) and Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME). Java programs don’t communicate with the OS directly. They only correspond with Java Virtual Machine, which in turn communicates with the system resources. Sun Microsystems has its development centre at IEC or India Engineering Centre, Bangalore, which provides critical software quality engineering and several key product engineering services to develop the final product. J2SE provides a platform that has the advantage of traditional Java such as cross platform support and robust security model, enhanced performance and improved reliability.

Due to its adaptability in several applications, almost all leading software application providers, Web developers, consulting firms, are using Java-based languages. As a result demand for Java professionals are immense both in India as well as abroad. Almost all the leading IT education providers are carrying out the course on Java or its different version to suit the various application requirements.

IBM authorised centres provide courses on Java and its advanced versions. It is in two levels, one is for beginners, which are basic and introductory in nature and another advanced. Those going in for Java programmer basic course needs to have knowledge of C++ programming language and a science background. For professional course of Java Application Developer, a person should have exposure to basic Java packages as well as other object-oriented techniques. Fees for Java courses are in different slabs ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000

Those going in for a career in Java can work as Application developer in software firms or as a Java programmer in organisations where Java-based applications and software are being used. Besides qualified Java professionals have an opportunity to work abroad also, since there is scarcity of qualified and experienced Java professionals in some European and other countries. Engineering graduates or MCAs with certification in Java are usually preferred for the position of Web system Analyst or Application Developer, while for Programmer science graduates with Java proficiency are required. Software personnel work as e-Service professionals to develop e-commerce applications based on Java tools and technologies. They also work as software developer for developing Java-based software for other specialised applications.

Some of the organisations where Java professionals are in great demand are ISPs, Web designing and consulting firms, etc. Firms like Rolta India, Honeywell India Software Operations (HISO), also employ business development mangers or Project Managers, QA engineers, Technical Architect, etc. that require competency in Java-based scripts.