As a Java developer, you will need to deploy code to deliver it to users successfully. As Java and JavaScript have similar names, many newer developers often confuse the two. Java is a compiling language, meaning it’s translated into machine code by compilers. Alternatively, JavaScript is an interpreted scripting language, meaning it’s translated into machine code when it’s run. Before we explore everything you need to know to become a Java developer, you’ll need to understand what Java is.

Continuous monitoring allows you to spot potential errors, track usage statistics, and identify things you could change to improve the program for users. As you will understand your project intimately as a developer, your employer will expect you to develop end-user documentation to help people use your program. This documentation includes installation guides, user manuals, release notes, and training manuals. A Java developer (sometimes called a ‘Java engineer’ or a ‘Java dev’) is a specialized IT professional working with Java.

Definition of a Java Developer

Since Java’s release in 1995, many modern programming languages have descended from it, including Python, Scala, JavaScript, and PHP. Naturally, Java has remained one of the most popular programming languages to learn. Remember, the Java programming language continuously evolves, with major updates occurring as frequently as four times each year. Keeping track of the latest releases will help you consistently align with industry best practices. Although not mandatory, acquiring knowledge through formal education, such as a college degree, can expedite learning. A common academic qualification among Java developers is a bachelor's degree, with 75 percent of professionals holding this credential [6].

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact... As a Java engineer, your code should be easy to read and comprehend but straightforward to maintain. Additionally, if your code is well-documented, it becomes a collaborative asset, fostering effective teamwork and knowledge sharing. Uncover your website's performance bottlenecks to deliver a better user experience. Joining the community is a great way to improve your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. Developers primarily use Java for server-side development and JavaScript for client-side projects.

How Hard is it to be a Java Developer?

Individual proficiency and collaborative teamwork can help you become a well-rounded Java developer. Working independently allows you to take ownership of tasks, manage your time effectively, and contribute your unique skills to projects. On the other hand, collaborating within a team creates an environment conducive to leveraging the strengths of each team member. Your proficiency in using Java testing tools, including Selenium, contributes to the creation of robust and dependable applications. By simulating real-world user scenarios using a separate database, you can uncover potential issues and rectify them before application deployment.

If you want to see the full range of Java developer salaries in the US, take a look at the bell curve graph below.

What does the typical career progression look like for Java Developers?

You should aim to create several Java applications for your portfolio (including at least one web application). These projects don’t have to be sophisticated or perfect, as they are simply a way for you to demonstrate that you can develop a range of applications with Java. As Java developers are highly skilled and perform diverse responsibilities, becoming a Java developer can earn a good salary. According to Salary.com, the average Java developer salary in the United States is $96,297 annually (as of October 29th, 2021). This means you will need to attend regular standups and meetings, help colleagues with problems, and help your team plan and manage your projects. You may also consult with users, managers, and other teams about your Java projects.

• Managing small projects will help you develop your system architecture and management skills (as well as give you some projects to show potential employers during job interviews).
• When hiring a developer, look for someone with a history of uplifting and supporting their team members.
• Introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1995, Java is a free-to-use programming language and computing platform.
• As many larger companies hire specifically to manage testing, cybersecurity, and vendor management, some Java developers have specialized roles.

Alternatively, software engineers have a broader skillset to work on different programming languages and projects. As Java developers and software developers have similar roles and skills, many professionals transition between the two roles for variety, a new challenge, or to learn new skills. As you learn Java, you should also start improving your project management skills. During this step, you should focus on planning, designing, and building small-scale projects with Java. Managing small projects will help you develop your system architecture and management skills (as well as give you some projects to show potential employers during job interviews). As a feature-packed JavaScript library, jQuery helps you streamline your web development tasks, such as designing drop-down menus.

Java Microservices Developer

Java developers are responsible for developing software, websites, and applications using Java. New developers also confuse Java developers with software engineers, though these professions are different, too. Java developers are highly specialized professionals that (usually) only work with Java projects. A Java developer's expertise lies java developer education in creating and managing applications powered by Java. As Java development requires redesigning and fixing code that isn’t working, a good developer can review their code, find errors, and fix problems quickly. When hiring a developer, look for someone who thrives on feedback and can demonstrate excellent creative problem-solving skills.

Note that a solid grasp of JavaScript’s syntax and built-in constructs is essential to harness the full capabilities of jQuery plug-ins. Once you’ve written code, you will need to test it with code review tools to identify potential issues. Your employer may expect you to perform a range of rests on your code, including functionality testing, static code testing, unit testing, and single-user performance testing. Pass-around testing is a way development teams ask for feedback by emailing their colleagues their code before deployment. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are more than 1,469,000 software developers around the country. According to data from 2021, 35.35% of those developers use Java, one of the world’s top five most widely used programming languages.

These may consist of Java development skills, code testing skills, SQL knowledge, project management skills, vendor liaison skills, and OOP knowledge. Soft skills help people succeed at work and include communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. To be an excellent full-stack Java developer, you need to learn Java and build your expertise in database management, object-oriented programming, and project management. You’ll also need excellent communication and problem-solving skills as Java developers solve technical issues with the rest of their business’s IT department.

If you’re interested in becoming a Java developer, you can take six simple steps to build your skills and become a Java expert. As Java is an OOP language, you should understand the four OOP principles and the SOLID principles of OOP development. As you will need to design and build projects from the ground up, you must know how to construct a project’s architecture to be logical, consistent, and extendable long-term.

If you work in a large business or busy industry, you may need to manage multiple updates simultaneously. If you are an experienced developer, you will need to understand your business’s programs, IT infrastructure, and program architecture in-depth. Understanding program architecture is crucial, as it’ll inform how you develop new projects. As many larger companies hire specifically to manage testing, cybersecurity, and vendor management, some Java developers have specialized roles.