What is a Groovy?
APACHE GROOVY is an object oriented and Java syntax compatible programing language built for the Java platform. This dynamic language has many features which are almost like Python, Ruby, Smalltalk, and Groovy ASCII text file gets compiled into Java Bytecode so it can run on any platform that has JRE is installed. Groovy also performs tons of tasks behind the scene that creates it more agile and dynamic.
Groovy are often used as a scripting language for the Java platform. it’s almost sort of a super version of Java which offers Java’s enterprise capabilities. It also offers many productivity features like DSL support, closures, and dynamic typing. Unlike another languages, it’s designed as a companion, not a replacement for Java.
Following are the major reasons why Groovy is used
- It is a rapid and dynamic language.
- It can be easily integrated with all the existing Java objects as well as libraries.
- Java developers feel very friendly using this language.
- It has a more meaningful code as compared to Java.
Features of Groovy
Groovy has the following features
- Support for both static and dynamic typing.
- Support for operator overloading.
- Native syntax for lists and associative arrays.
- Native support for regular expressions.
- Native support for various markup languages such as XML and HTML.
- Groovy is simple for Java developers since the syntax for Java and Groovy are very similar.
- You can use existing Java libraries.
- Groovy extends the java.lang.Object.
Installation of Groovy
Step 1)Ensure you have Java installed.
Step 2)Go to http://groovy-lang.org/download.html and click installer.
Step 3) Launch the downloaded installer. Select language and click OK
Step 4) Launch. In welcome screen, click NEXT
Step 5) Agree with the license terms
Step 6) Select components you want to install and click next
Step 7) Select Installation Directory and click Next
Step 8) Choose Start Menu Folder and Click Next
Step 9) Once install is done, let the paths default and click next
Step 11) In start Menu search for Groovy Console
Groovy has some limitations. They are described below
- It can be slower than the other object-oriented programming languages.
- It might need memory more than that required by other languages.
- The start-up time of groovy requires improvement. It is not that frequent.
- For using groovy, you need to have enough knowledge of Java. Knowledge of Java is important because half of groovy is based on Java.
- It might take you some time to get used to the usual syntax and default typing.
- It consists of thin documentation.
