In the Minecraft Java 1.19 update, players can either play the game alone or with other players in a multiplayer world.

Minecraft players connecting with others in 2021 #1 - Java To join another player's world on Java edition, which is for PC, the host must open their world to LAN.

Local LAN play- it’s best for the players in the same Wi-Fi network. No server is required. Online Servers- host or join the dedicated Minecraft server for the persistent multiplayer experience.