Developed by Sun Microsystems, Java is an object-oriented programming language, similar to C++. Java-based applications, or applets, can be quickly downloaded from a Web site and run using a Java-compatible Web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Java programs, or source code files (.java), are compiled into a format known as bytecode files (.class). Once complied these files can be executed by a Java interpreter. Most operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh OS, and UNIX, have Java interpreters and run-time environments known as Java Virtual Machines.
See also:
Using Java Objects and Classes in "Chapter 4: Building a Chili!Soft ASP Application"
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