As the programming language Java approaches its 30th birthday, industry luminaries are reflecting on its remarkable staying power. At the JavaOne 2025 conference, Scott McNealy, former CEO of Sun Microsystems, and Oracle officials shared their insights on Java's enduring popularity and its significant role in shaping the internet.

McNealy, who hired Java founder James Gosling, recalled the language's humble beginnings. Gosling's initial goal was to build an integrated clicker, a TV set-top box, which required a language and operating system. Although the clicker never materialized, the language that emerged, Java, went on to achieve unparalleled success. McNealy credited a meeting with Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape, with sparking the language's widespread adoption. The integration of Java into Netscape's browser led to hundreds of thousands of downloads in the first few weeks, effectively giving birth to the internet.

Today, Java remains one of the top three programming languages globally, with Oracle officials citing its widespread use in enterprise environments. "Today, the world truly runs on Java," said Georges Saab, senior vice president of Java development at Oracle. Saab highlighted the language's adoption by 94 of the Fortune 100 companies, including Uber, Netflix, and LinkedIn. Mark Reinhold, chief architect of the Java platform at Oracle, emphasized Java's continued popularity, with millions of developers relying on it to build mission-critical systems for organizations of all sizes.

The Oracle officials attributed Java's enduring success to the language's core values of readability and compatibility. Reinhold emphasized the importance of cautious evolution, ensuring that the language remains relevant while maintaining its long-term viability. This approach has enabled Java to adapt to changing technology landscapes while retaining its appeal to developers.

As Java approaches its 30th birthday on May 23, its impact on the technology industry cannot be overstated. From its early days as a pioneering force in the internet's development to its current status as a ubiquitous language in enterprise environments, Java has left an indelible mark. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how Java adapts and remains relevant in the years to come.

The JavaOne 2025 conference served as a poignant reminder of the language's significance, with industry leaders coming together to celebrate its achievements and look towards its future. As McNealy aptly put it, "Java is still top three [among languages] in the world 30 years later, and I think it's number one for people who are doing real work, and doing enterprise." With its staying power and continued innovation, Java is poised to remain a dominant force in the programming language landscape for years to come.