I fondly remember the excitement around Java when it was initially released in 1995. I was in college and the Mosaic browser only recently appeared on computers

I fondly remember the excitement around Java when it was initially released in 1995. I was in college and the Mosaic browser only recently appeared on computers in the campus library. "Applets" were positioned as the next evolution of the "Information Superhighway"--the ability to write real applications and distribute them to anyone directly over the "World Wide Web" without the need for floppy disks. Although Java applets didn't pan out, it gave people a glimpse of the future; paving the way for Shockwave, Flash and the rich interactive web applications that dominated the 2000's. As Java pivoted to the server, it also ushered in the next generation of enterprise web applications. Happy 25th Java! From a language many first experienced via scrolling web tickers to a rock solid server-side platform that went on to dominate the enterprise. Java will remain ubiquitous for many years to come--even if many don't even know it's there.