Java is consistently among the top three languages on the TIOBE index and is needed everywhere: from popular games to the financial sector, from smartphones to servers of large companies.
A little about the Java language
Java was introduced in 1995 by Sun Microsystems engineers and, in particular, James Gosling. Engineers developed it as a programming language for the management of household and household appliances.
But in the end, everyone needed the language.
What is Java for?
Any program on a smartphone or computer consists of two parts: frontend and backend. To better understand what it is, imagine that a program is a car.
The frontend is everything you see in front of the driver’s seat: steering wheel, buttons, levers, and arrows.
The backend is all that’s under the hood and makes the car move.
Java is a backend development language on which to build «engine» applications to make them powerful, reliable, safe, fast, universal and simply beautiful.
Java uses systems with millions of users. Here are just a few examples:
- Financial sphere and banks — HDFC, DBS, Digibank.
- Social networks – Twitter, LinkedIn.
- Market Places — Amazon, eBay.
- Online cinemas and video hosting – YouTube, Movie Search, Netflix.
- Minecraft, Assasin’s Creed, The Sims 3 (mobile version).
- Android apps – WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber.
Other fast-growing companies, like Apple, Microsoft, Google, also use Java.
Who and Why Needs Java
One of the reasons for the popularity of the language is cross-platform: Java programs work equally well on different devices. This is beneficial for business: firstly, the development cost is lower; secondly, the more devices on which the software can be installed, the larger its audience is.
Who is a Java programmer?
A Java programmer is a person who writes code in Java. In addition to writing code, he often interacts with the customer, tests the application at all stages of its creation, fixes bugs and is engaged in customer support.
How to learn Java yourself?
Step 1
It is best to start learning the syntax and then learn the basics of object-oriented programming, not necessarily in the context of Java. Understand data types and operators. Try to create simple Java objects with different behaviour options.
Step 2
After understanding the basic concepts, install software for coding and running programs – JDK (Java Development Kit).
The source code is written in text format. Download and install one of the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) – a software development environment (an interface that writes code).
The most popular environment is IntelliJ IDEA. It is a convenient tool with hints, the ability to check and debug code, and convenient integration with databases and servers. Detailed documentation on language classes and tools is available on the Oracle website.
Step 3
Learn to work with databases. To do this, you need to master a database management system (DBMS), such as SQL. See how operators and functions work, learn how to manipulate table structure and write complex queries.
Step 4
Design the first application. Understand the principles of architecture, and learn to design. Master frameworks (ready-made software products that simplify project creation and support) to create web projects, such as Spring.
Practical skills
- The best way to get programming skills is to write projects. Start with simple programs that you will see in books or videos. Then try to modify them a little and complicate them.
- Create your application. In parallel, you should practice performing tasks and writing code on resources for programmers, for example HackerRank. Employers often start the process of finding developers on such platforms.
- Create an account on GitHub or GitLab, and put in the code that is ready to show other programmers and future employers.
To move from Junior to Middle, the developer needs to work with patterns (templates) and determine the quality of the code. Learn to think architecture, allocate modules and design dependencies correctly. Please note that the requirements for middle developers may vary greatly from company to company.
To move to a higher level, a junior may need a year to two years of work – depending on how much effort he puts into learning. Then his professional career will develop successfully.
