Once you decide to become a software developer, you need to keep improving your skills. Since you’ve chosen Java, you have to know that there’s a bunch of frameworks and tools that help it run on various processors and operating systems. Over the decades, Java’s community has gathered millions of developers worldwide.
As you can imagine, there’s a plethora of information about the Java programming language as such. To help you navigate the information-overloaded Java world, here are some basic steps you have to follow regardless of your coding experience:
Tip #1. Learn JVM Internals and Languages
Knowing the nuts and bolts of Java Virtual Machine, a critical factor of Java Runtime Environment (JRE), leads to a better understanding of how Java programming language works. JVM is a powerful tool so it can help you in solving challenging issues while programming.
As a Java developer, you are expected to know the JVM restrictions on a stack and the common mistakes Java developers make.
There are over forty JVM programming languages such as Kotlin, Scala, Apache Groovy, and others apart from Java. Getting into a habit of learning different programming languages will help you grow professionally, get both advantages and downsides of using each of them, and understand Java app development better.
Tip #2. Discover Java Frameworks and Libraries
Knowing frameworks and libraries is essential for a Java developer.
Depending on what website or app you are building and what it’s going to be used for, one framework may suit better than another. The most popular frameworks are Spring (Spring Boot), Hibernate, JSF, Grails, etc. The Spring framework is considered as that of the Java programming pillars. Allowing to create apps from old Java objects, it’s also handy for Java SE programming.
Most companies that provide java software development services use Spring Boot, Spring MVC, and Spring Cloud to build web apps and REST APIs.
While knowing of every API and all elements in the library is not obligatory for a developer, the refinement for key libraries and APIs should be set for sure.
Tip #3. Gain Insight into Java Design Patterns
Design patterns are highly important time-tested solutions for object-oriented software developers. They help to render the relations between classes and objects. Java design patterns help to solve a recurring issue, promote reusability of code which reduces the TCO of a software product, and make it easier to understand and debug the code. Last but not least, design patterns help a software developer to picture the project’s design in their heads once the name of the pattern is indicated.
Tip #4. Stay Tuned
Read about Java programming and keep track of the latest JDK updates. Since every sixth month, there’s a new version released, migrating to another version will be less painful as soon as you know its characteristics. Most of the resources can be found online, yet don’t disregard consulting professional literature. Join Java communities or www.javaprogrammingforums.com to pose urgent questions or simply feel the spirit.
Tip #5. Practice Coding
Practice makes perfect. It may seem natural, but the only way to become a good Java developer is to lean towards self-perfection.
Ideally, you need to find a Java software development company that will open up the opportunities for professional development by keeping your motivation on top and providing favorable working conditions.
Final Thoughts
Bear in mind that knowing only Java programming language won’t be enough in the long run. If you aspire to build a functional app, you need to be proficient in Java coding, follow the recent trends in technology, and keep actively evolving.
In case you’ve just started programming in Java, the best advice would be to learn the Java programming language, its libraries, frameworks, and other tools and gain some experience with various projects. If you are an experienced Java developer, make sure you know how to optimize your code for its maintainability, readability, and performance.
