Bash syntax is difficult to remember and Python's tooling can be a mess, creating an opening for other scripting languages.
While traditionally seen as verbose, Java's static typing, performance, and massive ecosystem make it a strong contender for scripting.
Modern JDKs allow you to execute a .java source file directly with the `java` command, which compiles the code in memory.
Since Java 11, you can add a shebang line to the top of a Java file to make it directly executable from the command line.
Recent JDK enhancements introduce a simpler `void main()` method and concise `io.println` functions to make scripts less verbose.
The `java` command can run programs spanning multiple source files and include external JARs using the `--classpath` flag, though managing transitive dependencies is difficult.
JBang eliminates the need for a traditional project setup by managing dependencies, including transitive ones, declared directly in the source file.
Use JBang templates with the PicoCLI library to easily create robust command-line applications with arguments, options, and help text.
The Tambui library enables the creation of interactive terminal user interface (TUI) applications in Java, inspired by tools like Rust's `ratatui`.
JBang can compile scripts into fast-starting native binaries using GraalVM and install them globally for easy access from anywhere on your system.
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.