How to Become a Good Java Developer

Do you see yourself as a Java developer, but aren’t sure how to fulfil this ambition? At TITANS, we are happy to support the professional growth of the IT community, so we have prepared a summary of typical responsibilities you might have in this profession, key skills that will be required of you on projects, and advice on how to acquire them.

It is not difficult to understand why this programming language remains one of the most popular ones despite its advanced age. It is fast, secure, extremely versatile, and object-oriented. Moreover, it is a statically typed language based on classes and the syntax of C and C++. The main reason for its popularity lies in its platform independence (i.e. the ability to run on all platforms without code changes), a large library repository, and a strong community.

Java is an excellent choice for enterprise systems, native Android applications, backend systems, machine learning environments, and the Internet of Things. The portability and scalability of this language make it ideal for use in business solutions. It is a technology that is constantly adapting to new needs, which is why it remains in high demand despite new competition.

If you have recently discovered the magic of this programming language and decided to learn how to code in it, one day you could become, e.g. a Junior Developer, Senior Developer, Java Android Developer, Java EE Developer, or Big Data Developer.

In this article, we will focus on the role of a Java Developer and everything you need to know about it if you ever want to have it written on your resume.

Typical responsibilities and skills of a Java developer

The tasks of a Java developer can vary significantly depending on the company and job position. They often include building backend systems, mobile applications, and web solutions with efficient and scalable code.

However, the first step in working on a project is to gather requirements from all stakeholders, define the goals and features of the application or software, and determine the overall scope of work and its progress. Next, Java developers write, test, and maintain code, remove bugs, solve technical problems, and integrate databases with Java applications.

If you want to work in this position, you should have a good grasp of the basics of this programming language, such as inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation. You will also need to have key knowledge of JVM, such as garbage collector, heap, stack, and the basics of SQL and Git are also important. Since programming language updates are introduced approximately every six months, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with revisions from at least Java 8 onwards.

Knowledge in areas such as web technologies, microservices architecture, containerization, security practices, agile methodologies, DevOps practices, UI/UX design, and scripting languages can help you get a job as a Java developer. Knowledge of Java development tools, Java EE components, Java testing tools, big data, machine learning/AI, application containers, Android/Kotlin, blockchain, writing reusable Java libraries, popular web application frameworks, writing clean code, and continuous integration can also be useful.

Even if you work in a highly technical environment, you still need soft skills such as teamwork, adaptability, organisation, time management, communication, problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail.

Education requirements

Many companies prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. However, while it is an advantage, a college degree is not mandatory, as many successful Java developers are self-taught or have completed boot camps. A strong portfolio of projects, practical skills, and certifications can be just as valuable to employers.

There are several ways you can acquire the necessary skills. One is to get a job at a company as a junior developer and gradually build your career in the IT sector by gaining relevant experience. Another, more flexible path is through online education. Read important books such as Effective Java by Joshua Bloch and Clean Code by Robert C. Martin, and study the official Java documentation. It is worth following influential developers, reading specialist blogs, attending technology conferences or webinars, or joining online forums dedicated to this language.

It would also help you to enrol in courses and consider certifications, which are conducted through Oracle and include multiple levels of proficiency, or certificates in programs that complement Java systems. Some of the best certifications you can obtain include Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer, Oracle Certified Expert Web Component Developer, Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect, Java EE Certified Expert, Java SE Professional, and Java SE Master.

Last but not least, we recommend creating your own Java-based projects, such as a simple web application, e-commerce system, or task automation tool, to gain practical skills. Get involved in open-source projects on platforms such as GitHub, where you can collaborate with experienced developers, improve your coding skills, and gain real-world IT experience. Another alternative is internships on real projects, where you will receive feedback, or coding challenges on platforms such as HackerRank and LeetCode, which will improve your problem-solving skills and teach you new algorithms.

Your portfolio should include several of your own projects (such as a web or mobile application, or a microservice) that demonstrate your coding skills and problem-solving abilities. It is also important that your portfolio demonstrates your understanding of best practices in Java, such as clean code, testing, and optimisation.