This coming New Year, make it your resolution to do something truly valuable – become the best Java Developer you can be! But first, let’s check the Things that Java Developers Need to Know in 2020.
Programming languages are going to change our future – well, they already are! – and are going to be used for more astounding apps, beautiful websites and software products than we can ever imagine. There are many programming languages out there, from C language to Python, but Java is popular because it can be easily customized and is considered very versatile. In 2019, TIOBE Index ranked Java as the top programming language, meaning that developers, programmers, app and website owners all need to be able to use Java as their mainstream language. Java is used by many companies, large and small, from Google and Amazon to niche small businesses. Becoming a seasoned Java developer will put you in the frontline to work with any client you could want – have we convinced you yet of the importance of Java as a skill to have?
Things Java Developers Need to Know
So – you’ve decided to become a Java developer this 2020, or you already are one and are looking for ways you can improve. Here are the top 8 things Java developers need to know for 2020.
1. Core Java
“If you want to be a Java developer, you better have a sound knowledge of the inner workings of Java – you need to be able to grasp basic concepts like operators, arrays, loops and the general-purpose API’s such as java.math, java.oi, and java.lang. Keep practicing using Java and you will learn how to use it well, understanding all the limitations, possible problems and best design practices out there,” says Regan Knox, a tech writer at Writemyx and Britstudent.
2. Java EE
Java EE (Enterprise Edition) moves beyond the core Java to be more advanced, and allows you to work on projects like web development because it offers specific features like web services and distributed computing. There are technologies to learn here like Java Server Faces, WebSocket, Servlet and more.
3. JSP and Servlets
What you learn in Java EE can be taken further in what is known as Front End technologies such as CSS, HTML and JavaScript. You can then make mini projects based on particular subtopics, sharpen your programming skills and gain experience with JSP and Servlet. It’s important to keep up to date with new technologies and developments in the programming world!
4. Learn about Hibernate Framework and Spring Framework
In Java, Spring and Hibernate are the most famous frameworks around – Hibernate is used to map domain object-orientated models to relational databases, whilst Spring is used in Spring MCV, Spring Boot and Spring Cloud. By having a working knowledge of these frameworks, you’re in a much better position to work in a Java development company!
5. DevOps
Many Java developers are learning about DevOps (Docker and Jenkins) because more companies are moving to DevOps. DevOps is very fast and requires a good knowledge of tools and principles, but don’t be put off – it’s an invaluable skill in 2020. If you’re a Java developer with a passion for managing the environment, automation and improving the overall structure, DevOps is for you. There are even great courses like Master Jenkins CI for DevOps and Developers, which is a great place to start learning!
6. Git and GitHub
Nowadays, many companies are migrating their projects from SVN, CVS to Git, so it’s high time to learn and master it. Again, there are great guides out there like the Git Complete: the definitive, step by step guide to Git from Udemy. A good choice!
7. Java Versions 9, 10, 11 +
The problem with programming is that it is constantly evolving. It’s sometimes hard for developers and programmers to keep up to date! Java 9 has introduced new features such as modules, Jigsaw, Reactive Streams, Process API, HTTP2 client, JShell and API improvements. Further versions will have more to learn.
8. RESTful Web Service
“Some programmers say there are not many people out there with a working knowledge of Java and REST. So, being able to write REST API and implementing secure, scalable RESTful Web Service in Java by using Spring Framework is a great skill to have,” says Solomon Gibson, a from java blogger at 1day2write and Nextcoursework.
