Java is an object-oriented programming language that is derived from C and C++. It can be used to create a variety of applications including standalone applications, web applications, enterprise applications, and mobile applications. Java programs are compiled to bytecode that can run on any Java Virtual Machine, making Java platform independent. Key features of Java include being simple, object-oriented, platform independent, secure, robust, and multi-threaded. The basic structure of a Java program includes classes that contain methods. Methods can be overloaded by changing their parameters.