Getting Started with Java

Java was created by James Gosling, along with his team at Sun Microsystems, in the mid-1990s. It was intended to be easy for programmers, enabling them to learn and use it effectively.

Java is an Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) language. OOP is based on the concept that data and the functionalities that modify that data should be bundled together, concealing the implementation details. Consequently, code designed with OOP principles is flexible, modular, and abstract.

Java is portable, meaning the compiled bytecode can run on any platform, allowing Java code written on one platform to be executed on another.

If this is your first time learning Java for automated testing, congratulations on taking the first step. Java is a highly popular language, and its popularity means there is a wealth of resources, libraries, and frameworks available. Java supports many robust test automation frameworks, including Playwright, Selenium, TestNG, JUnit 5, and Appium, which facilitate the creation of efficient and reliable test scripts.

Cloud-based Java Compiler

To develop and run a Java program, you must have the Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your computer. However, if you want to get started right away, there are numerous cloud-based Java compilers available that let you write, compile, and run Java code directly in your web browser. Some popular options include JDoodle, Repl.it, Ideone and OneCompiler.

Installing Java Locally

If you choose to install Java on your computer, the next three tutorials will walk you through the installation process for Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu).