It is the time of year when accountants work in to the small hours. More than one person over the next few weeks may ask themselves “What is Java, and why do I need it?”.
Java is a programming language that is used to develop applications for the web, Blu-Ray players, set top boxes and mobile phones. It has been in existence since 1991. For a Java application to work on a device it must have the Java Virtual Machine installed.
Java is more than just a language to develop applications it has become the foundation for virtually every type of networked application and is the global standard for developing and delivering embedded applications, games, Web content, and enterprise software. There are more than 9 million developers worldwide, working on developing Java applications.
James Gosling, Mike Sheridan, and Patrick Naughton initiated the Java language project in June 1991. It was originally designed for interactive television, but it was too advanced for the digital cable television industry at the time. The language was initially called Oak after an oaktree that stood outside Gosling’s office. Later the project went by the name Green and was finally renamed Java, which could be from Java Coffee but which was said to be consumed in large quantities by the language’s creators.
The Revenue online service(ROS) makes extensive use of Java applets. These are used to facilitate the transfer of data from your computer to the Revenue’s computer in a secure manner. To use ROS, you must have the Java virtual machine installed and enabled on your computer.
Hackers can exploit the Java Virtual machine, which could wreak havoc on the ROs or any other system, which is why it recommended to use the latest version of Java at all times. Oracle the owners of Java make updates available regularly some Java updates will improve the software’s performance or stability, but most are made to plug security holes.
ROS is designed so that it will not accept a login to the system unless the latest version of Java is installed. To install the latest version, remove(uninstall) any old versions on the system and install the new one.
When you have that completed you can make yourself a cup of coffee, Java of course.
References:
http://www.javaworld.com/article/2077265/core-java/so-why-did-they-decide-to-call-it-java-.html
http://www.pcworld.com/article/217194/adobe_reader_java_updates.html
https://www.java.com/en/download/faq/whatis_java.xml
