As A Java Developer, You Need to Keep Learning to Stay Ahead of the Game

Java is among the most widely used programming languages in software development ecosystem. Various analyses have put Java only second to JavaScript in terms of usage by developers. In 2017, Java came second to JavaScript as the language mostly used in repositories which are most active on GitHub.

Java is a hot language for developers because of the high demand by employers. As of March 2017, job listings looking for developers posted on Indeed specifically demanded Java skills. The close to 37,000 job listings wanted Java developers because the language can accomplish a wide range of processes. So far, there more Java-specific job listings on Indeed this year compared to those asking for JavaScript developers.

By the time of writing this article, there were 31,181 job listings on Indeed asking for developers with Java skills. Another search showed only 29,294 job listings were looking for JavaScript developers. This is evidence that Java skills is even more lucrative than JavaScript this year. Going forward, many more employers are likely to demand Java skills due to the convenience of the programming language and its wide range of applications.

Java is the most in-demand programming language

The downside of this high demand for Java developers is that competition is ruthless. As such, one needs to be on top of their game at all times. Since Java is the most in-demand language for developers, users have to learn continuously to stay abreast of new versions. Being the most in-demand language, it is apparent that Java has a lot of tools which developers have to master. For instance, more employers who post job listings on Indeed look to hire Java developer with advanced knowledge of DevOps. Vast as it is, one requires constant and fast learning to grasp the many principles and tools to become a reliable DevOps engineer.

Unlike other programming languages, Java has a wide range of applications. These applications fit into the three Java Systems. These systems include Java standard, Java enterprise, and Java mobile. Dedicated Java developers are proficient in all systems. This is because there are many applications which need to be integrated in all systems. For instance, a website written for Java standard might need to be optimized for Java mobile or even Java enterprise.

Experienced Java developers can design interfaces as well as write class files. This is to say that the developers have the capability to work at any stage of the engineering process. Notably, a good Java developer should comfortably solicit requirements, design prototypes, and even configure products.

However, there are developers who choose to specialize in one area for developing software with Java. For instance, a specialized Java enterprise edition (JEE) developer oftentimes takes up largescale projects like developing a game. Such a developer might advance to the position of the lead architect in a gaming organization where major responsibilities include developing documentation, reviewing codes, and evaluating the development process of a project.

What skills does a proficient java developer need?

From the foregoing, it is apparent that Java is quite dynamic and demanding at the same time. This is to say that people with the most relevant qualifications are likely to have a smooth ride while working with Java. Even most employers on Indeed agree that academic qualification is critical for a proficient Java developer. This is evidenced by the fact that almost 100% of the job listings on Indeed ask for developers with a university degree. The assumption here is that it takes university degree level of understanding computer science to be a good developer focused on Java. Nonetheless, this qualification is not always mandatory for most employers.

Instead of the academic qualifications, employers oftentimes ask for specific skills and qualities for prospective Java developers. Some of them include:

Object oriented programming

It takes more than just education to master object oriented programming. Developers require long hours of experience to gain the skill to design and implement codes in an object oriented way.

Knowledge of SQL

Databases are a crucial part of software development. For Java developers, knowledge of SQL queries and its intricacies is a must. For instance, a developer will need to understand basic CRUD operations and other operations like aggregations, indexing, and joins.

Communication skills

Proficient developers are excellent communicators. Communication sets experience and knowledge apart. Experienced developers understand that programming is not just all about engineering but has a great social aspect. One must be able to communicate with team members and outside stakeholders. Ensuring that all stakeholders understand what a programmer is doing increases chances of buy-in and ultimate success of the project.

What sets Java apart from competition?

Java has been around pretty much throughout the history of the internet. Being able to stay among the favorite programming languages for all this long requires some unique qualities. It is imperative that developers upgrade their knowledge regarding these qualities to stay relevant at all times. Some critical factors which drive the popularity of Java include:

A large community

Like earlier discussed, Java is widely used. As such, there is a large community of developers across the globe who are constantly sharing new knowledge and tools about Java. For example, a Java developer India is able to share new tools which a colleague in the US easily. This community is, perhaps, the reason why Java is still relevant after all this time.

Scalability

Java is a programming language which is statically typed. This is to say that developers are able to declare variable types explicitly. Resultantly, Java is easy to maintain and developers only have to deal with a few bugs compared to other languages. Further, an older version of Java, say Java 9, can run quite smoothly on latest version, like Java 11. This backwards compatibility ensures that businesses do not have to rewrite a whole new code for every new version of Java.

Portability

The Java Virtual Machine enables Java to run on numerous systems. As such, a developer can create a program which runs on mobile and enterprise editions of Java without encountering any hitches.