Ever since java was first released as an open-source programming language during the late 1990s, it has maintained its popularity among the tech crowd for over two decades now. Whether we talk about its top-notch security features, performance, simplicity, and versatility, java, as a programming language, is in a league of its own. Even though many new languages have been introduced over the years, few come close to what java offers.
But that’s not all; java programming as a career path also holds a lot of promise.
What Does A Career In Java Programming Hold?
As Java holds significant advantages over many other languages and programming environments, it can be used in myriad ways for any development activity. As your skill and expertise in the language increase, you can easily progress to higher technical roles and even transition to managerial roles with enough experience.
Working as a java developer involves more than just coding. As development is involved in every phase of the process, you get many excellent opportunities to hone your skill set while on the job.
It’s also a more collaborative role than most people would expect. Java developers work on developing the primary asset of the development lifecycle, and in the process, they work with various IT resources to deliver optimal results.
Considering all that, if you’re wondering what does a Java developer do? Their role is dynamic, with various responsibilities, meaning no two days will be different at work. Java developers actively participate in the product lifecycle, from designing interface prototypes to writing application code.
To better explain why Java is one of the best career paths in programming, here are four benefits of java programming.
Advantages Of Java Programming
Java is considered the best programming language as it offers a wealth of advantages and commendable characteristics that will keep you hooked as a developer.
1. Simplicity
With most programming languages, it may take a while to learn the ropes and get the hang of the ins and outs of every concept, but as Java is loosely based on its predecessors, C and C++, the learning curve with multidimensional arrays java isn’t that steep. It shares similarities with many object-oriented languages like JavaScript, so if you know one of those languages, you already have a leg up on Java’s syntax.
The simplicity of Java syntax makes it a popular choice among developers of all levels, from very beginners to the very experts. The code structure in Java has highly regulated by a rigid and well-defined set of principles. This stands in sharp contrast to other untyped languages that don’t have a set structure, as they can be hard to learn. After all, learning a new language is facilitated by a set of well-defined and uniform rules.
Moreover, beginners in Java also have access to a wealth of online resources at their fingertips in the shape of video tutorials and community forums that they can refer to when they get stuck on a problem. Plus, the commands aren’t that complex, and you can easily create and execute functional programs.
2. Rich ecosystem of APIs
APIs are essential to any development activity, and Java offers a rich set of APIs. The standard java development kit (JDK) includes approximately 200 pre-installed packages with Java APIs for every conceivable purpose, from XML or JSON processing to time zone conversions and web services. And that’s just the basics. With the addition of Jakarta EE, you can gain access to a plethora of APIs for creating sophisticated mid-tier web apps and SAAS microservices.
Furthermore, the rich ecosystem of APIs is not just limited to what is officially supported by Oracle or provided by Jakarta. For example, JBoss Hibernate is a solution for retrieving data from non-volatile storage. Similarly, you can use the Spring Boot APIs to create cloud-native/ SAAS microservices. Apache is another open-source provider of APIs that cater to a variety of development activities, from centralizing error logs with log 4j to resolving complex issues with Hash Maps. All these APIs allow devs to create robust, bug-free, and efficient programs.
3. Platform independence
With Java, you can code applications that can run on any platform as it is platform-independent at both singular and binary levels. This capability stems from the language’s portability and versatility, as Java programs or applications can run and execute on a wide variety of devices. Programs written on one machine can be effectively executed on another without compromising the integrity and security of the program.
Moreover, Java is a universally-supportive programming language and runtime environment essential to running applications in the vast cyberspace realm. It adds to the popularity of the language as beginner-friendly, robust, cross-platform, and secure.
4. Backward compatibility
In software development, backward compatibility is just as important as keeping up with the changing needs. And java strikes the perfect balance between backward compatibility and forward evolution. In over two decades, java has continued to evolve for the better.
From client-side programming to server-side development, Java continues to put forward innovative features that meet the changing needs of its developer community and improve the experience of both devs and end users. For example, the robust modularity framework released as part of Project Jigsaw or the newly introduced functional programming capabilities. Even releases without long-term support (LTS) demonstrate the constant evolution of JDK with new features like adding a new data type, “Record,” and garbage collection to enhance memory management.
However, in the realm of enterprise development, maintaining compatibility with older systems is equally important as developing new functionalities. And this has always been a central focus for Java. Rarely does a major upgrade or new feature cause problems for applications that were designed for earlier versions of the software.
Bottom Line
Java is easily one of the best programming languages out there. While Java isn’t without drawbacks, its robust security, object-oriented platform, extensive support resources, and simplicity make it a crowd favorite among developers.
Even though it’s primarily used for developing web applications and applets, its stability and accessibility make it suitable for various development initiatives. Plus, compared with similar languages like JavaScript or C++, Java still holds its ground in terms of job prospects and advancements. Learning Java will give you a strong foundation in the object-oriented paradigm and help you develop programming habits that’ll serve you well in your career.
