Features in Java 8 That Will Change the Way You Code

As a widely used computer programming language, Java needs no introduction. The class-based and object-oriented programming language further enables developers to run the same code on multiple platforms without recompilation. Recently, Oracle released Java 8 with a set of new features, enhancements and bug fixes to complement the most recent trends in software development. Some of these features at the JVM and programming language level will even change the way you code.

Five Java 8 Features That Will Change the Way You Code

1) Lambada Expressions

Implementation of Lambada expressions is one of the most significant features of java 8. The dominant feature will make you change your coding habits. You can use the feature to use Java like other prominent functional programming languages. Also, the features make Java usable with functional JVM-based languages like Clojure and Scala. The Lambadas have further been integrated tightly into the core language libraries related to array and collection libraries. So the coding will be incorporated into the Java code written by both in-house and third-party developers.

2) Parallel Operations

Along with Lambada expressions, Java 8 also comes with a key concept to facilitate parallel operations. Often programmers are required to use loop operations to facilitate internal iteration. But Lambada expressions make it easier for them to carry on actual iteration over a collection. They can simply invoke a Lambada function to carry out the iteration through a core library. The function will act as an extension of iterators to extract the next item from a collection. You can avail the feature to sort, filter and map the items while the processing is carried on simultaneously by the framework.

3) New Date and Time API

Java 8 also comes with a completely revamped data and time API. The API allows developers to handle date and time in a natural, easier-to-understand and more natural way. Thus, now it becomes easier for you to avoid the complex native Java library API that was using conventionally to handle date and time. The most recent of Java further implements the data and tome API from scratch to facilitate clean operation to manipulate the values in a format that is readable by both humans and machines.

4) Nashhorn JavaScript Engine

Oracle has further integrated the Nashhorn JavaScript Engine into JDK. The Java applications can access the high performance yet lightweight engine through the existing APIs. You can avail the features to eliminate the gap between Java and JavaScript. While integrating JavaScript into your backend, you are no longer required to set up a node.js. The code can be executed simply by using the JVM. Thus, you are not required to use several IPC and RPC methods to bridge the gap between Java and JavaScript.

5) Concurrent Accumulators

Many developers find it a daunting to decide the right way to update numeric counters that are accessed simultaneously by multiple threads. A developer also has option to update the numeric counter through read/write locks, synchronized blocks or AtomicInteger. Each option requires the programmers to implement the semantics 100% accurately. But Java 8 makes it easier for you to update the numeric counters without any hassle by using the new concurrent accumulator classes. The concurrent accumulators can increase or decrease the value of the numeric counter in an efficient and thread safe manner. Further, you can use the class without worrying about the accuracy of semantics.

The most anticipated version of Java also comes with several security enhancements. You can use an advanced mechanism to replace the existing hand-maintained list of caller sensitive methods. In addition to identifying the methods accurately, the mechanism further makes their callers discoverable in a reliable and efficient way. You can get in touch with a Java web services development company who can help you develop applications that are stable, scalable and secure.

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5 Features You will Love about NetBeans - A Java IDE

As an innovative integrated development environment (IDE), NetBeans is used widely by developers to build desktop, web and mobile applications. Despite being written in Java, the IDE still allows programmers to create application by using C, C++, PHP and HTML5. The free and open source IDE is further compatible with a variety of operating systems including Windows, Linux, Solaris and OS X. The developers also love to avail some of the top NetBeans features to become instantly productive. These features further help enterprises in curtailing both application development cost and time.

5 NetBeans Features that Developers across the World Love

1) Option to Work with Multiple Projects

Most developers love to use an IDE that allows them to work with multiple projects at a time. In addition to allowing developers to work simultaneously with multiple projects, NetBeans also enable them to work concurrently on several tasks. Further, they can keep multiple projects open at a time, while searching across those projects. For instance, while writing the code for a project, a programmer can get interrupted for handling an urgent support request. After resolving the issue, he can once again continue with the coding.

2) HTML5 Integration with Java EE 7 Applications

While developing Java EE applications, developers often explore hassle-free ways to integrate HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. NetBeans has made it easier for programmers to use several tools and wizards to integrate HTML5, JavaScript and CSS into the Ant or Maven based Java EE applications. At the same time, the flexible IDE further allows them to view live preview of the web pages on the embedded WebKit browser or the Chrome browser with NetBeans plug-in. They can further preview the web pages on Mobile Safari on iOS devices or Chrome on Android devices.

3) Apache Cordova Tools

Mobile application developers must be familiar with the native languages to create applications for mobile platforms like iOS and Android. The NetBeans allow mobile developers to build applications using known technologies like HTML, JavaScript and CSS. After writing the code, they can use the Cordova tools to convert the code into native packages. The Cordova tools can also be used to directly deploy the application to the native mobile device or native emulator. Once the application is deployed to the native device, the JavaScript and style CSS can be debugged directly on the device.

4) Code Formatting and Refactoring Tools

NetBeans IDE also comes with a set of tools that helps developers in formatting and organizing their code. Often developers have select and format a specific chunk of code according to the test brackets. The tools help them in formatting the code easily according to the development code that needs to be placed in test brackets. As the developer can select and choose the code that need to be formatted, he can eliminate the errors associated with auto-formatting and removing test-code brackets by mistake.

5) Easy Webservices

NetBeans is hugely popular among developers due to its effectiveness in running web applications and webservices in a fast and hassle-free way. The developers can easily integrate third-party applications and tools to test and debug their applications. Also, the web application can be set up and deployed without putting any extra time and effort. As all logs are stored inside the output console, many developers rely on the NetBeans IDE to debug the application faster. At the same time, the IDE also supports several web services to make it easier for the developers to directly deploy the internet application to the hosting service provider.

The most recent version of the NetBeans IDE also comes with a significantly more responsive Java Editor. Along with acting as the centerpiece of the IDE, the Java Editor also comes with a set of innovative features like enhanced code completion and Java code metrics. These hints and refactoring options help developers in making their code more organized and structured. You can get in touch with a Java web services development company who can help you with your projects.

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2013 Java Trends: The Cloud Floats into Java Application Development

Within a very short span of time, Cloud computing has becomes an integral part of all types of application development processes. Many companies are opting for the innovative computing to cut operational costs, along with concentrating in core business processes without being obstructed by the IT issues. The rapidly growing popularity of the dynamic computing will have a huge impact on all types of application development projects in the immediate future. Similar to other software development projects, it will also have a huge impact on the applications being developed using Java.

The benefits offered by Cloud computing will further make it easier for Java developers to optimize the performance and scalability of a variety of websites and web applications. However, an application cannot avail the advantages simply by being installed on a Cloud. The developers have to build the interfaces by following a set of practices to avail the combined advantages of Java and the popular computing. At the same time, they also need to constantly observe the latest trends in Java web application development to deliver a high level of user experience.

How Cloud Computing will Affect Java Application Development?

More Investment in Java Cloud Services: Most enterprises migrate to innovative technologies to attract more customers. Most businesses are also looking for innovative ways to upgrade their enterprise software to target the growing popularity of mobile devices. As Cloud computing can make the software development projects faster and cost-efficient, the technology will be used widely by companies to develop and test their applications. Further, the companies ready to experiment with new processes and models will also adopt the new environment to carry out the experiments without increasing their spending.

Enhanced Security: The Java Cloud services will enable users to access the applications on a variety of devices. So developers have to explore options to optimize the security of the application across all types of devices and operating systems. Also, it will become essential to protect the business data and business apps from other interfaces that are installed on the user’s personal device. As each user can combine the Clouds he use for personal and work purposes, developers have to ensure that the files and information are shared in a secure and hassle-free way.

Enterprise Cloud for Large Businesses: In the initial stages, many large enterprises dismissed hybrid Cloud due to lack of adequate control. But the implementation of private computing environment will not be effective in meeting the needs of large enterprises. So the large businesses will start investing in enterprise Cloud to optimize their usage of resources and estimate the future capacity requirements. However, each business has to deploy a team to avail the flexible and inexpensive features of public Cloud, along with the advantages of Java enterprise application development. The businesses can further hold some of their less-sensitive applications on public cloud to meet the future trends in application development.

Increase in Mobile Cloud Services: Similar to conventional Java applications, the Cloud computing will also have a huge impact on mobile app development. With many companies launching enterprise mobile apps, it will become important for them to avail the features and benefits to make the data, application and computing accessible to users anytime, anywhere. However, they have to customize the technology to according to the mobile device and operating systems being used by each user. However, the innovative technology will make it easier for enterprisers to predict the user choice, along with making their mobile apps more scalable.

Demand for Inexpensive Java Cloud Services: The huge popularity of Cloud computing will encourage businesses to invest in the new technology. But the companies will explore options to reduce the cost of using Java Cloud services. As their expenses will vary based on the amount of services consumed by them, the enterprises will explore options to reduce their regular spending. Many companies will further monitor closely how the Java Cloud services are being consumed, along with comparing the consumption according to the price of the application.

In the immediate future, Cloud computing will become popular among enterprises of different sizes. The features and functionality of Java applications will also be modified to incorporate Cloud computing. But the trends will help users in availing high quality and faster services at their own pace and convenience.

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Java mobile application trends for 2013

Upcoming trends should never be ignored in the mobile domain. By 2013 end, we will definitely be witnesses to the number of tablets and Smartphones across the globe surpassing the number of PCs. Specifically, the tablet claims to be the prime enterprise-oriented device of the future era. The abundance of cellular devices in emerging as well as established markets is triggering continuous and rapid evolution amongst mobile app developers, independent software vendors, OS designers, cell phone manufacturers, cloud vendors, enterprise IT and training institutions. Here we bring to you certain opportunities and challenges that the 2013 mobile app trends of Java may bring forth.

Mobile would become the prime channel for software access

It is a fact that a number of the modern day Smartphone apps are more potent in comparison with the enterprise software two decades back. Currently the apps are recording a highly volatile consumption level. In the year 2010, IDC projected that 76.9 billion apps would be downloaded globally by 2014. Going by this, the enterprise would need to go for a wider range of software vendors. With this kind of usage becoming the custom, businesses are required to consider licensing terms all the more.

IT will don the role of mobile mediator

No doubt IT has taken up the responsibility of rendering support to cell phone users within the enterprise setting. Although cloud is taking care of some of the administration responsibilities on behalf of IT, the cellular space does indeed require good amount of additional work. This might incorporate the following:

• Evaluation, aggregation and purchase of downloadable apps for enterprise utilization.
• Assistance to app users across a range of devices and platforms.
• Devising, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of policies for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) usage.
• Ensuring security of enterprise data which might gain exposure to mobile apps.

Security threats in the cellular domain has been a cause of concern for quite a long time now, but 2013 is more likely to bring to light some of the great drawbacks in this area. According to RIIS founder and ‘Decompiling Android’ author Godfrey Nolan, hacker’s can completely access a developer’s code since they are able to reverse-engineer the same utilizing some pretty uncomplicated de-compilation tool. Seen from a developer’s point of view, the number of people eyeing mobile applications is not much. At present there are very few mobile applications that are completely protected.

Enterprise will foray into the mobile domain

In order to regain control over their data within the mobile space, enterprises will be inclined towards creation of their own applications. Large businesses (exterior to the ISV domain) will also start offering customers their own apps directly. It has already been seen that retailers in a number of local malls are rendering a 3D barcode or a downloadable app to customers possessing Smartphones. Again we have fast food restaurants which facilitate placing of order through mobile apps even before clients can reach the drive thru.

Healthcare, hospitality and travel, energy, pharmaceuticals, education, logistics, and a number of other industry verticals are planning to elevate their app development service for outside users to newer levels in 2013. New entrants will definitely get to know that the first app developed might not be up to the mark. Continuous improvement revolving around user feedback must be taken into consideration.

One of the greatest challenges that enterprises have to face is the ever increasing number of factors that come into play during the design, development as well as deployment phase. Hence it is obvious that with the advent of each new generation of cell phones, developers would need to take into account endless adjustments.

IT will be of great significance

By 2013, IT will have full power to exploit the opportunity of becoming the mastermind of analytics and big data. As mobile forays into the domain of enterprise data, IT would get the scope of utilizing this information storehouse in the form of a feedback mechanism for improvement of business processes.

Going by the upcoming Java mobile application trends in 2013, enterprises would definitely need big data as well as mobile development experts. The crux is that some of the required skills are not yet taught as they are extremely new. With this knowledge gap coming to the forefront, it is a big question as to where our subsequent generation of cellular phone experts will appear from. Let’s wait and watch as employers go globe-hunting for talent. Java mobile app development teams can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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Is Java Most Suitable for Enterprise Applications Development?

A developer needs to understand several widely used technologies to build large-scale and robust enterprise applications. But many programmers prefer Java programming environment to build comprehensive business solutions by availing a number of advantages. As Java is platform independent, it allows developers to develop global enterprise solutions and web services to target major operating systems and computing devices. At the same time, some of the original limitations of the technology can be overcome by using inexpensive mass storage devices and faster processors

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The performance of an enterprise application depends on a number of factors. Along with use of multiple threads and object serialization, the system also needs be deployed in a proper way. A programmer can meet all these requirements by using Java to develop business applications. The Java Run-time Environment (JRE) is designed as a specialized version of Java classes and interpreter to make the application deployment process hassle-free. The JRE does not include any tool required to develop applications. But it includes the classes required to deploy the enterprise applications.

Most developers also use Java plug-in to boost the performance of their interfaces without putting any extra effort. As a web browser extension, the plug-in works seamlessly with major web browsers. Further, the end users can simply install the plug-in to run a variety of Java applets to meet their individual requirements. A programmer can use the plug-in to release customized applets that can be used by the end-users without updating or changing their web browsers.

The required amount of security and reliability often make enterprise application development complex. Most organizations also opt for multi-tiered applications to segregate their functionalities into tiers or isolated functional areas. The Java EE platform has made enterprise application development less complex by offering an API, development model and runtime environment. The runtime environment also makes it easier for programmers to concentrate on the functionality and performance of their enterprise systems.

Using Java for Multi-Tier Enterprise Application Development

Client Tier: The client tier of the application consists of clients that are located on machines different from the server. The clients access the Java EE server, and send requests to the server for processing. The server processes the requests, and returns back responses to client. Based on the requirements of your project, you can use a variety of applications as Java EE clients. Some of these applications can also be developed using other programming languages. At the same time, the clients can be a standalone interface, a web browser or any other server. But the clients must run on a machine that is different from the Java EE server.

Web Tier: The web tier of a business system includes components that handle the interaction between business tier and clients. Along with generating dynamic content for the client, and controlling the flow of pages or screen, the web tier further maintains data for the session state of the client. Also, the tier is used to collect input from users, and return appropriate content or results from the business tier components. A programmer has options to use variety of Java EE technologies to build the web tier of a business system, including JavaServer Pages (JSP), JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library, JavaServer Faces technology, JavaServer Faces Facelets technology, Servlets, JavaBeans Components and Expression Language.

Business Tier: The business logic for an enterprise solution is supported by the components included in the business tier. Normally, the business logic can be defined as the code that adds functionality to a specific business domain. While developing enterprise applications, the programmers ensure that the core functionalities exist in the business tier components. A developer also has option to use a variety of Java EE technologies in the business tier of the application including Enterprise JavaBeans, JAX-WS web service endpoints, Java Persistence API entities, JAX-RS RESTful web services, and Java EE managed beans.

Enterprise Information Tier: The enterprise information tier of a business system consists of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, database servers, and legacy data sources like mainframes. Normally, these resources are located on a machine different from the Java EE server. The components of enterprise information tier are frequently accessed by the business tier components. A programmer can use several Java EE technologies to store, modify, access and manage the business data in a simpler and hassle-free way.

Many reports have highlighted the advantages of Java over other programming language for custom-developed enterprise application development projects. The upcoming release of Java 8 will further help developers to enhance the performance of their applications by availing a set of advanced and fresh features. Certified java programmers can help you build projects within allocated budgets and time schedules.

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6 Best Java Web Development Frameworks

Most developers use Java frameworks to build engaging and interactive web application without putting any extra time and effort. Also, each developer has options to choose from a variety of Java web application development frameworks to suit the specific requirements of his project. Similar to other advanced web development frameworks, most Java development frameworks now support the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design. The design makes it easier for developers to separate business logic and presentation.

Further, the flow of client requests and server actions are coordinated in a logical way through a controller. Each Java web development framework is designed with distinct features and functionality. Similarly, the Java bean wrappers, Java Server Pages and tag libraries will also differ based on your choice of framework. But a developer can still use a set of similar APIs to easily design and implement powerful web applications. If you are new to Java development, it is a good idea to check out some of these popular web development frameworks.

6 Widely Used Java Web Development Frameworks

• Apache Struts 2: As an enterprise-ready web application development framework, Apache Struts allows developers to streamline the entire development project cycle. Struts 2 also come with an improved design with clean code for frameworks that do not depend on HTTP and create dynamic responses. A developer can use the AJAX tags to add flexibility and interactivity to the web pages by availing the advantages of standard Struts tags. He can also use Struts 2 as an open source tool to build small projects. However, the framework does not allow programmers to develop apps simply by dragging and dropping controls.
• Spring: Spring is hugely popular as a powerful yet flexible development framework. You can use Spring to boost the look, feel and performance of your web application without writing lengthy codes. The framework allows you to integrate a wide variety of view options including PDF, Excel, Velocity and JSP/JSTL, seamlessly based on the requirements of your application. At the same time, you can also use the Inversion of Control provided by Spring to easily test your web application. The support of a large developer community also makes the framework popular for developing a variety of enterprise internet applications.
• Wicket: In comparison to conventional Java development frameworks, Wicket is more straightforward, and also goes in the opposite direction. Without using XML, Wicket separates logic and markup, along with using a POJO data model. You can insert HTML-based templates to make the web pages dynamic, while keeping Java away from your page design. Along with offering the advantages of pure Java, the framework is also more object-oriented in comparison to others. However, a developer or designer must possess adequate experience to use Wicket in an exact and accurate way.
• Seam: Unlike other Java development frameworks, Seam is effective in bundling Java EE standards as well as making them work together as a integrated solution. Along with core standards like EJB3 and JSF, Seam also ties other components together to facilitate smooth work flow and rule management. The integration of core standards and components has made it easier for Seam to avoid the complexity at the architecture and API level. Seam also allows enterprise application developers to avail a number of advantages like built-in libraries for PDF, graphs, Excel, and email. The reduce amount of XML will add stability to your application, whereas the built-in libraries will save your time and effort.
• Java Server Faces (JSF): In comparison to the modern Java development frameworks, JSF is a bit older. But JSF is still popular among developers due to supporting Java EE standard. The feature makes it easier for developers to build using interfaces using components on a page. Also, the components can be used or added to make it easier for you to capture the events triggered by their actions. JSF also allows developers to avail build powerful interfaces by availing the advantaged of MVC model. Further, its stable and easy to use features can complement the needs of a variety of enterprise web applications.
• Google Web Toolkit (GWT): The huge popularity of Google often makes developers to write AJAX applications like Gmail and Google Maps. The Google Web Toolkit makes it easier for developers to build and maintain complex front-end interfaces designed using JavaScript and Java. They can further develop and debug AJAX apps using any Java development tool of their choice. However, the use of JavaScript will require programmers to put some extra efforts to share, test and reuse the AJAX components. But some of the features provided by the framework will make it easier for them to handle bookmarking, asynchronous remote procedure calls, history management and cross-browser portability.

The choice of Java web development framework varies from one developer to another. It is always important to pick a framework by keeping in mind the specific need of your project. Also, you have to evaluate the pros and cons of individual frameworks to choose the option that saves your time and effort.

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Jasper Report Software Development

JasperReports is the world’s most popular open source Java reporting library. It can be easily embedded it into any Java application to deliver sophisticated print or web reporting. For users with more sophisticated report management requirements, reports designed for JasperReports software development can be easily imported into the JasperServer interactive report server. Jasper Reports software development is an open source Java reporting tool that can write to screen, to a printer or into PDF, HTML, Microsoft Excel, RTF, ODT, Comma-separated values and XML files. Jasper reports software development can be used in Java-enabled applications, including Java EE or Web applications, to generate dynamic content. Jasper Reports development generates report in a quick manner and of various formats. This tool allows Java programmers to get reports compiled at runtime means dynamically as well as design time which means statically. Jasper Report software development is the time saving development tool for the developers working behind Java application development.

It has been observed in the software development and IT industry that efforts are sometime go in wrong direction and thus the time amount a work supposed to take is getting higher. By carefully applying appropriate reporting tool and other software package into work, the development activity can be speedup. And Jasper report software development is the best reporting tool available in the market nowadays. Jasper Reports software development is the most powerful reporting tool which enables you to create almost any kind of report imaginable including dashboards, tables, cross-tabs, operational pixel-perfect print-ready layouts, and interactive web reports. Jasper reports developers / consultants / programmers can develop flexible reporting layout. Offshore Jasper Reports development can easily handles the most complex report requirements through its support for subreports. Jasper reports solutions provide flexible output options. Jasper Reports delivers operational information to wherever you need it. Jasper Reports programming services supports an extensive array of chart types through its built-in comprehensive charting capabilities. The size of a generated report by Jasper report software development is limited only by the amount of available disk space, enabling you to report on very large data sets.