Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. The Java platform is a software-only platform that runs on top of other hardware-based platforms. Because hardware-based platforms vary in their storage, memory, network connection, and computing power capabilities, specialized Java platforms are available to address applications development for and deployment to those different environments.

Java technology has grown to include the portfolio of specialized platforms listed below. Each platform is based on a Java VM that has been ported to the target hardware environment. This means, for example, in the case of Desktop Java, desktop applications written in the Java programming language can run on any Java VM-enabled desktop without modification.