Java is an object-oriented language developed by Sun Microsystems. Although the original Java specification was targeted at embedded systems and small devices, Java became popular for its ability to enable active content on web pages. Most recently, Java has become one of the most popular languages for enterprise server applications.
Java uses C-style syntax. It must be compiled and it is strongly typed. Java requires the use of a middleware layer called a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which theoretically allows for Java applications to run on any OS platform.
Java should not be confused with JavaScript, a non-Java derived scripting language. (The name JavaScript was adopted for marketing purposes, during the height of Java's popularity for web sites.)
Reference: http://www.java.com/en/