2. Choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and NetBeans. Pick one that suits your preferences.

3. Write Your First Java Program: Open your IDE, create a new project, and write a simple "Hello World" program. This ensures your setup is working seamlessly.

**1. Platform Independence:** Java code can run on any device with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), making it platform-independent. This "Write Once, Run Anywhere" capability is a cornerstone of Java's design.

**2. Object-Oriented:** Java is a fully object-oriented programming language. It emphasizes using classes and objects, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, promoting modular and scalable code.

**3. Simple and Easy to Learn:** Java was designed to be beginner-friendly. Its syntax is clean and easy to understand, reducing the learning curve for new programmers.

**4. Robust and Secure:** Java's strict compile-time and runtime checks contribute to robust code. The language includes exception handling and memory management to enhance program stability. Java's security features, including the Java Security Manager, provide a secure execution environment.

**5. Multithreading:** Built-in support allows developers to create concurrent, efficient, and responsive applications. This is essential for building modern, high-performance software.

**6. Distributed Computing:** Java supports distributed computing through its Remote Method Invocation (RMI) and Java Message Service (JMS) features. This makes it well-suited for building networked and distributed applications.

**7. Rich Standard Library:** Java has a comprehensive standard library with many classes and methods for everyday programming tasks. This library simplifies development and reduces the need for developers to write extensive code from scratch.

**8. Dynamic and Extensible:** Java supports dynamic loading of classes, allowing applications to load classes on demand. This feature contributes to Java's flexibility and extensibility.

**9. Community Support:** Java has a large and active community of developers. This community support includes forums, online resources, and open-source contributions, making it easier for developers to find help, share knowledge, and collaborate.

**10. High Performance:** Java achieves high performance through the use of Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation. The JVM converts Java bytecode into native machine code at runtime, optimizing performance.

**11. Scalability:** Java's architecture supports the development of scalable applications. It is commonly used in enterprise-level systems where scalability is a critical factor.

**12. Compatibility:** Java maintains backward compatibility, ensuring that older Java applications can run on newer Java versions without modification. This commitment to compatibility protects the investment made in existing Java codebases.

These features collectively contribute to Java's popularity and widespread use in various domains, including web development, mobile app development, enterprise systems, and more. Java's versatility and reliability make it a solid choice for developers across the globe.