Java is Powerful, But Ain't Easy to Use

Java is a powerful programming languages, widely used in enterprise applications, and large-scale systems. Yet, is not known for being beginner-friendly, until JBang comes to the rescue. Let's discuss the Love-Hate relationship with Java and how to make it easier to learn and use.

The Love-Hate Relationship with Java

Java is one of the most powerful programming languages, widely used in enterprise applications, Android development, and large-scale systems. Yet, despite its strengths, Java is not exactly known for being beginner-friendly. Even seasoned Java developers acknowledge that the learning curve is steep compared to other modern languages. This is where languages like Python and JavaScript shine—simplicity makes them attractive to new developers.

Why is Java Hard to Learn?

1. Verbose Syntax

Compared to Python, Java requires significantly more code to perform simple tasks. Take printing a string to the console as an example:

Python:

print("Hello, World!")

Java:

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

This verbosity can be overwhelming for beginners who just want to see their first output without worrying about classes, methods, and boilerplate code.

2. Complicated Installation and Setup

Setting up Java requires installing the Java Development Kit (JDK), setting environment variables, and dealing with compatibility issues. Compare this to Python, which comes pre-installed on most operating systems and is ready to use instantly.

3. Running and Packaging Programs is Not Intuitive

Unlike JavaScript (with npm or bun) or Python (pip), Java lacks a simple package manager for easy dependency management and execution. Running Java programs outside an IDE can be a challenge, requiring explicit compilation (javac) and execution (java) commands.

Making Java Easier: Meet JBang

Wouldn't it be great if Java had an experience similar to npm, pip, or bun? That's exactly what JBang brings to the table. JBang simplifies Java development by allowing you to run Java programs without installing a JDK manually, managing dependencies effortlessly, and packaging programs into a single executable file.

Installing JBang

Getting started with JBang is as easy as running:

curl -Ls https://sh.jbang.dev | bash -s - app setup

This eliminates the complex JDK setup process and makes Java more approachable for beginners.

Other options to install JBang can be found here.

Creating a JBang Catalog

JBang allows you to create a catalog of Java scripts and share them easily:

jbang init -t jbang-catalog@jbanghub la-rebelion
cd la-rebelion
jbang add alias hello.app:hello:0.1.0
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git remote add origin <your-repo-url>
git push -u origin master

With this setup, external developers can easily install and run your Java programs with:

jbang app install hello@la-rebelion
hello

No manual JDK installation, no complex packaging—just a single command to get started.

The Future of Java: Simplicity Meets Power

Java's complexity has long been a barrier for beginners, but tools like JBang are changing the game. By simplifying installation, dependency management, and execution, JBang makes Java more accessible while retaining its power.

If Java wants to compete with the ease of Python and JavaScript, more innovations like JBang are needed. For now, if you've been hesitant to dive into Java due to its complexity, give JBang a try—it might just change your perspective.

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Image by: Matias Malka at Unsplash