Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is designed to be platform-independent, meaning that programs written in Java can run on any device equipped with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java’s syntax is similar to C++, but it offers simplified features to eliminate common programming errors. It is widely used for building enterprise-scale applications, Android apps, web applications, and server-side software. Java’s robustness, security, and portability make it a popular choice among developers for various software development projects.