How To Become A Java Developer

Java developers are beneficial resources in the IT field. Many businesses have software that is currently designed in Java or they would like to be developed in Java. It is also a pretty varied and complex language, but finding out how to become a Java developer is a good step for your IT career.

Know Java’s Strengths

Java is one of many programming languages within the IT industry. You might be aware a few of these languages already, or might have heard of them - ASP, C, PHP are simply a few examples. So, with all of these examples, why should you go with Java?

I’m not here to imply that Java is the best or worst language. What I’d like to talk about is that Java does have it's place, and you need to learn it’s strengths. Java is a good language for large systems, and ones that require the performance and scalability that Java gives. It's usually not the best language option for smaller projects or smaller websites - it’s possible but it’s not where Java’s advantages lie.

Download The Necessary Tools

To begin learning Java you’ll need to obtain the tools and software to build with. You’ll require a couple of things - the Java Development Kit (JDK) and a development environment (also known as an IDE, which stands for Integrated Development Environment). Some IDEs that are very popular are NetBeans and Eclipse.

They're both supplied by the Java website. As soon as you’ve downloaded and installed them, it’s time to start understanding the language.

Learn The Java Language

In becoming a Java developer you need to understand how to program in Java. If you already know some of it, that’s good - it’ll make this part easier. If not, you can learn how to program in Java from many sources:

- Web-based tutorials. Some websites provide tutorials on how to develop in Java, from starter concepts to advanced topics. Do a Google search to get some that work for you.

- Textbooks - Buying a textbook is a good way to learn the language, as it also contains starter and expert concepts. Quite a few have exercises and examples that are helpful.

- Courses at university or college. Lots of colleges or universities offer short courses and some can include Java development. This has the main benefit of being in a group environment and having a teacher, instead of self-learning from a book or website.

Start Your Own Java Project

As soon as you’ve got the basic principles handled, you can start your own project to help progress your Java skills. This could be whatever you like. The target is to practice and develop your Java skills, so you’re more knowledgeable about the Java development language and the way to use the IDE. You’ll get practical knowledge on debugging, working on your own code, and sticking to best practices. These things should have been learnt from your tutorial or other learning techniques, but putting them into use is a great way to enhance these skills.

Take The Next Step

Once you’re confident in your Java development abilities, it’s time to take the next step - obtaining that Java development job. This is probably the hardest part of the process. Many organisations have different experience requirements, which could include certifications, degrees and professional experience.

If you’re just learning the language and have no professional experience, you need to be in search of entry-level Java positions. These types of positions might need some form of certification or demonstration of your abilities. This is where your side project comes in - if you’ve created applications or web sites using Java then it can be used on your resume to aid your chances.

Another great tip for how to become a Java developer is to get certified. A good certification to begin with is the SCJA - Sun Certified Java Associate. This certification is made for students or entry-level Java programmers and will be of great assistance to you while searching for a position as a Java developer.