Java has long been a dominant programming language in software development worldwide. Those familiar with Java are well-aware of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which has become an essential component across various organizations, regardless of their size or industry. In recent years, the JVM ecosystem has expanded beyond just Java, with several other JVM languages gaining popularity.
As the JVM continues to evolve, it has improved significantly in speed and performance, empowering developers to leverage their Java expertise while addressing the language’s limitations. This article will explore the top 14 most popular JVM languages, alongside other JVM implementations. Before diving into these languages, let’s first clarify what is meant by a JVM language.
What Is a JVM Language?
A JVM-compatible language is one that can successfully run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM plays a crucial role in loading, verifying, and executing Java bytecode, serving as an abstract computing model that provides both compilation and interpretation capabilities. When code is compiled, it generates bytecode, which the JVM interpreter then transforms into machine-readable instructions.
This architecture includes a dedicated instruction set and an execution engine that efficiently manages memory during runtime, creating a robust execution environment for applications. Operating as a virtual platform, the JVM runs above actual hardware and operating systems. Its three essential components are the class loader, runtime memory, and execution engine. The JVM itself is a specification outlining its functionalities, while its practical execution is handled by the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
When a Java command is executed via the command line, it instantiates a runtime environment, enabling the JVM to handle code loading, verification, execution, and provide the necessary runtime context.
Features of JVM
- Garbage Collection: The JVM incorporates automatic memory management through garbage collection, which identifies and reclaims memory that is no longer in use, thus preventing memory leaks and optimizing resource utilization.
- Native Memory Tracking: This feature allows for monitoring of memory usage outside of the heap, providing insights into memory consumption and helping developers identify potential areas of improvement.
- Built-in Security Features: The JVM is equipped with robust security mechanisms to protect against threats, ensuring that applications can run in a secure environment through features like class loading restrictions and bytecode verification.
- Complete Compiler Control: The JVM grants developers fine-tuned control over the compilation process, enabling them to optimize code execution and improve performance according to specific application needs.
- Effective Memory Management: By managing memory allocation and deallocation efficiently, the JVM enhances application performance and ensures stable operation over time.
- Support for Non-Java Languages: The JVM’s versatility allows it to run applications written in languages other than Java, expanding its usability and fostering a diverse ecosystem of programming languages.
- Signal Chaining: The JVM facilitates the handling of system signals, enabling applications to respond to external events like interrupts or exceptions, thus allowing for more graceful handling of errors and system interactions.
Also Read: Programming Languages Compatible with Flutter
Top 14 JVM Languages To Choose From
1. Java
Java is an immensely popular programming language known for its class-based, object-oriented approach, initially created by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and now maintained by Oracle. It adheres to the principle of “write once, run anywhere,” which has helped it remain a leading choice among developers over the years. Java is versatile, powering a wide range of applications, including dynamic web applications, Android app development, game console software, server-side solutions, embedded systems, IoT applications, scientific software, financial and trading platforms, Microservices architecture, robotics, and more.
The Java source code is first transformed into bytecode, which is executed on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), allowing it to operate independently of the underlying hardware architecture.
Significant Features of Java:
- Suitable for a Wide Range of Applications and Infrastructure: Java’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for developing various types of software solutions.
- Extensive Community Support: The robust Java ecosystem is bolstered by a large and active community, providing ample resources and assistance for developers.
- Secure, Reliable, and Scalable: Java is designed with security in mind, offering stability and scalability that meet the demands of enterprise applications.
- User-Friendly Learning Curve: Java’s clear syntax and structure facilitate ease of learning and coding for beginners and experienced programmers alike.
- Platform Agnostic: The ability to run on any operating system enhances Java’s appeal, allowing developers to deploy applications without worrying about hardware specifics.
- Modular Programming Approach: Java encourages a modular coding style, promoting code reusability and better organization within projects.
2. Kotlin
Kotlin has emerged as a popular programming language that aims to streamline the development process for web and mobile applications, with a particular emphasis on Android development for both server-side and client-side environments. Built on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Kotlin enables the creation of secure and forward-thinking applications. It outperforms Java in terms of speed, performance, and coding style, making it a preferred choice among developers. Kotlin boasts robust compatibility across various platforms, including Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, JavaScript, and embedded systems.
Salient Features of Kotlin:
- Concise Coding: Kotlin requires less code to perform tasks compared to Java, making it an efficient and time-saving language.
- Null Safety: Null pointer exceptions are a common source of errors in programming. With Kotlin’s null safety feature, developers can avoid such errors by providing compile-time checks for null references.
- Interoperability with Java: One of the most significant advantages of Kotlin is its interoperability with Java. Developers can seamlessly integrate existing Java code into new or legacy projects written in Kotlin and vice versa.
- Functional Programming Capabilities: Kotlin supports functional programming paradigms, enabling developers to write concise and expressive code using higher-order functions, lambda expressions, and more.
- Extension Functions: Extension functions allow developers to extend existing classes with new functionality without modifying their original code, promoting code reusability and better organization within projects.
3. Scala
Scala is a widely recognized general-purpose programming language that is statically typed and supports both functional and object-oriented programming paradigms. As a high-level language, Scala provides static typing to reduce errors in complex applications. It runs on the JVM and JavaScript runtime, enabling the development of high-performance applications with extensive library support. Scala’s strong compatibility with the Java ecosystem allows it to efficiently handle user requirements, ranging from simple scripts to large-scale systems. It is primarily used in various domains such as data processing, web development, distributed computing, and data engineering. Its interoperability with Java makes it heavily reliant on existing library support, and the sophisticated type interface system provided by its static typing enhances the robustness of code.
Key Features of Scala:
- Static Typing: Scala’s static typing feature helps catch errors at compile time, providing a more robust codebase and reducing runtime errors.
- Functional & Object-Oriented Programming Support: Scala allows developers to utilize both functional and object-oriented programming paradigms, giving them the flexibility to choose the best approach for their project.
- High-Level Language: Being a high-level language, Scala provides an abstraction layer over low-level details, making it easier for developers to write code without worrying about memory management or other system-specific details.
- JVM Compatibility: Scala runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which enables it to leverage existing libraries and tools from the extensive Java ecosystem.
- Interoperability with Java: Scala can easily interact with Java code, allowing developers to utilize existing Java libraries in their Scala projects.
4. Groovy
Groovy is a dynamic and object-oriented programming language that runs on the JVM, making it highly compatible with Java. Its syntax is similar to Java, but its dynamic nature eliminates the need for explicit type declarations and enables rapid development.
Key Features of Groovy:
- Dynamic Typing: Groovy’s dynamic typing feature allows developers to write code without explicitly declaring variable types, which reduces development time and enhances productivity.
- Simplified Syntax: Groovy’s syntax is simplified compared to Java, making it more concise and readable. This helps developers write code faster with fewer lines of code.
- Object-oriented Programming Support: Like Java, Groovy is an object-oriented language that supports encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
- Closures & Builders: Groovy supports closures, which are blocks of code that can be passed around as objects. This feature makes it easier to create DSLs (Domain Specific Languages). Additionally, Groovy has built-in builders for creating XML and JSON data structures easily.
5. Clojure
Clojure is a modern, dynamic, and functional programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine. It is designed for concurrency and provides robust support for multithreaded applications.
Key Features of Clojure:
- Functional Programming: Clojure is a functional programming language that focuses on using functions to manipulate data. This approach allows developers to write clean and concise code with fewer bugs.
- Immutable Data Structures: In Clojure, all data structures are immutable by default. This means that once a value is assigned to a variable, it cannot be changed. Immutable data structures make it easier to write parallel and concurrent programs without worrying about shared state.
- Concurrency Support: Clojure has built-in support for concurrency through its use of immutable data structures and software transactional memory (STM). STM allows multiple threads to access shared data without causing conflicts.
Other Popular JVM Languages
6. Fantom
Fantom is a modern general-purpose programming language that operates on the Java Virtual Machine, which allows it to leverage the extensive ecosystem and libraries available within the Java community. It is designed to be highly performant and productive, featuring a clean syntax and powerful abstractions that facilitate rapid development. This versatility makes Fantom a popular choice for developing web applications, as it supports various programming paradigms and can seamlessly interact with other languages. Additionally, its ability to compile to multiple target platforms enhances its appeal for developers looking to create cross-platform applications efficiently.
7. Ceylon
Ceylon is an object-oriented, static type-checked programming language that runs on the JVM. It was created with a focus on readability and expressiveness, making it easy for developers to write maintainable code. Ceylon also has features such as union types and optional parameters, which help prevent common errors and improve overall code quality.
8. Jython
Jython is an implementation of the Python programming language that runs on the JVM. It allows developers to write Python code that can seamlessly interact with Java code, providing access to the vast array of libraries and frameworks available in the Java ecosystem. Jython also offers improved performance compared to its CPython counterpart, making it a popular choice for developing high-performance applications.
9. JRuby
JRuby is another popular implementation of a well-known programming language, this time being Ruby. Similar to Jython, JRuby leverages the JVM to provide access to Java libraries and frameworks. In addition, it also offers improved performance compared to traditional Ruby implementations and has gained popularity for developing web applications. JRuby also benefits from strong support and a thriving community, making it a reliable choice for developers.
10. Frege
Frege is a functional programming language that aims to bring the benefits of Haskell to the JVM. It offers strong type inference and lazy evaluation, providing developers with powerful tools for writing concise and efficient code. Frege also allows for seamless interoperability with Java, making it a viable option for integrating functional programming concepts into existing Java projects.
11. Xtend
Xtend is a general-purpose programming language that compiles to Java source code, making it highly compatible with the JVM. It offers a more concise and readable syntax compared to Java, while still maintaining interoperability with existing Java libraries. Xtend also provides features such as extension methods and lambda expressions, which improve the overall productivity of developers.
12. Golo
Golo is a dynamic and lightweight programming language that runs on the JVM. It offers features such as closures, type inference, and pattern matching, making it suitable for developing concise and expressive code. Golo also has a small runtime footprint, making it a good choice for building microservices and other lightweight applications.
13. Concerns about JVM Languages
While the JVM offers many benefits, there are also some concerns to consider when using JVM languages. One major concern is performance, as there may be overhead associated with running code on top of the JVM. Additionally, some developers may have a steeper learning curve when transitioning from traditional languages like Java to newer JVM languages.
Another concern is version compatibility between different JVM implementations. While all JVM languages should be compatible with any standard compliant implementation of the JVM, there can still be slight differences in behavior or performance between them.
14. Yeti
Yeti is a functional programming language that runs on top of the JVM. It offers features such as immutability, pattern matching, and lazy evaluation, making it well-suited for building reliable and scalable applications. Yeti also has interoperability with Java libraries, allowing developers to integrate existing code into their projects easily.
Read More: 10 Trending Programming Languages for Software Development
JVM Languages: Wrapping It Up
The growing popularity of JVM languages highlights an interesting trend in programming. As new languages continue to emerge that support the JVM, developers are discovering alternatives to Java that can enhance their productivity and address some of the challenges associated with it.
While Java will undoubtedly remain a key player in the ecosystem, the diversity of languages available allows developers to choose those that best align with their organizational needs, which may include factors like available expertise, budget constraints, experience levels, and project timelines. Ultimately, determining the best JVM language from the list is subjective and dependent on these various parameters.
