11 Tips to be a Better Java Developer

Are you looking to become a better Java developer? 

As the language of choice for many of the world’s leading software, mobile, and web applications, Java is an invaluable skill to have for any programmer. 

As reported by experts, Java will be used by 65.36 % of developers all over the world in 2022.

With the right knowledge, coding skills, and training, you can become an expert in Java development and have your pick of job opportunities.

Here are  tips to help how you can improve your programming skills in this popular language:

1. Make the Basics Strong

Before jumping into more advanced topics, it’s important to make sure you understand and learn Java from the basics. 

This includes understanding variables, classes, functions, and other fundamental concepts. 

Once you have a strong foundation in these fundamentals, it will be much easier for you to learn more complex topics like object-oriented programming and design patterns. 

It’s also important to learn how to read code so that you can debug problems quickly and accurately. 

 2. Develop Your Problem-Solving Skills 

In addition to learning how to code in Java, aspiring developers must develop their problem-solving skills. 

Learning how to troubleshoot issues is an essential skill for any programmer, as coding isn’t always intuitive or straightforward. 

Being able to think through problems logically and understand why something isn’t working is an invaluable skill for any programmer — especially if they want to excel as a Java developer. 

3. Practice Writing Code  

Once you feel comfortable with the basics of coding in Java, it’s time to start writing your code from scratch. 

This means coming up with solutions for problems on your own without relying too heavily on tutorials or existing code examples. 

The best way to become a great programmer in Java programming is by writing as much code as possible! 

4. Start Working with Frameworks 

Once you have mastered the basics and built up some experience writing code from scratch, it’s time to start working with frameworks like Spring Framework or Hibernate Framework which are widely used by companies around the world.

Working with frameworks will give you an edge over other developers because they provide tools that enable faster development times while still keeping things organized and secure. 

Plus, many employers prefer candidates who know how to work with frameworks over those who don’t! 

5. Subscribe to Forums

When you start working on a new technology the best and first thing to do is to subscribe to technology forums. 

Whatever the issue you are facing, someone else might have already faced it earlier and you might find the solution. 

Follow good blogs and also help others by sharing your opinions on them. 

6. Keep Up With Technology Trends  

        

The world of technology moves quickly – what was cutting-edge last year may already be obsolete today! 

To stay ahead of the curve (and stay employed!), aspiring developers need to keep up with new technologies and trends in their field of expertise (in this case -Java). 

Try attending conferences or workshops related to programming language trends or subscribe to any online course which would help you keep your skills up-to-date. 

That way, when employers look at potential candidates they will see someone knowledgeable about current technologies and trends – just what they’re looking for! 

7. Knowledge of the Platforms 

Any successful Java developer needs to understand the platforms they are coding for. 

This means knowing not only the language but also all of its associated frameworks and tools. 

It is important to be familiar with popular development environments such as Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, or NetBeans IDE so that you can efficiently use them when coding in Java.          

8. Learn the Most Essential APIs and Libraries

APIs and libraries go next to Java frameworks, so it’s important to know them if you want to stand out.

They are an integral part of the Java ecosystem and have the second biggest community on the StackOverflow Q&A website.

Having in-depth knowledge of the core APIs, main and third-party libraries, as well as Java Development Kit (JDK), which defines a high-skilled Java developer. 

It’s enough to have a clear understanding of Apache Commons, Guava, Maven, and a few other major APIs and libraries.

9. Know Multiple Methodologies at Hand

If you want to stay ahead of many other Java programmers, you should pay special attention to different methodologies.

First of all, get familiar with Agile and especially SCRUM, but also understand Waterfall and get ready to work with it. 

As long as many developers select the methodology depending on the client’s preferences, knowing many of them will help you be on top of that.

Additionally, you can learn extreme programming techniques (the classic book by Kent Beck is mentioned above) to gain richer experience and effective work.

10. Learn about Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world with a long history of development. 

Therefore, having an overall knowledge of the Java ecosystem is how you can best read and understand relevant technical documents. 

You should learn the constituent components of the JVM virtual machine, how it works, and how JIT, JVM Option, Garbage Collections, and Collector work to understand how a Java application works. 

Once you understand the JVM, you will have enough background knowledge to build powerful and more efficient Java apps.

Besides, you should also know which Java app re-audits as well as which objects are taking up the most resources, what is the bottleneck in the performance, or for example which objects are taking up the most memory or eating the most CPU.

11. Debugging Skills 

Being able to debug effectively is a must-have skill for any successful Java developer.

It is crucial to be able to identify errors quickly and efficiently so that they can be fixed or avoided altogether in the future. 

Knowing how and where errors occur within an application is also key so that you can apply fixes quickly without needing additional debugging time later on down the line. 

Additionally, being able to use logging tools such as Log4j will help make debugging simpler and faster.  

Conclusion

Becoming a better Java developer requires practice and dedication but is achievable with enough effort put into it! 

Keep these tips in mind when working on your next project.

By following good programming practices, staying up-to-date with current trends in programming, and understanding different platforms is more than enough.

It’ll make you become proficient at debugging – you’ll soon find yourself mastering this powerful language!