Embedded Java

Definition - What does Embedded Java mean?

Embedded Java is a set of Java technologies designed for programming embedded systems, or computers with dedicated functions. Examples of embedded systems include:

  • Telephone switches
  • Mobile phones
  • GPS receivers
  • Printers
  • Electronic stability controls in cars
  • Medical imaging equipment

Techopedia explains Embedded Java

There are two types of embedded Java:

  • Java SE for embedded, designed for devices with RAM and storage (disk, ROM, or flash) of at least 32 MB each.
  • Java ME for embedded, for devices with much lower memory and storage capacities.

Embedded Java not only supports embedded platforms like ARM and Power Architecture, but also supports desktop and server platforms like x86, x64, and SPARC 32-bit and 64-bit, whether they are powered by Linux, Windows or Solaris.

Some of the target devices for embedded Java are headless, which means they do not have a display monitor, a keyboard or a mouse. As such, files needed for these devices may be discarded. As a result, the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that is used to run an embedded Java program can be small - about half the size of a regular JRE. To save time when developing an embedded Java application, graphical integrated development environments like Eclipse or Netbeans can be used.

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