Java is a successful programming language that is used to develop websites and mobile applications. Java programmers are in great demand, particularly in major industries. As a result, it has become an inextricable element of the job of a developer and is increasing daily.
Technology is evolving with every passing day, and many people of different age groups are trying to learn Java to earn their living, thanks to its excessive demand. According to a study, 72 percent of the firms try to look for Java developers. Whether they like it or not, ambitious developers can’t avoid studying Java. The rationale for this is simple. It is too beneficial.
If you are learning Java or thinking about learning it, this article might help you learn. Follow the tips below to become a better Java programmer in 2021.
Understand the Basics
The first and the essential step is to understand the basics. If you have just started learning Java, you must know the fundamentals to get a firmer grip on the language. You can use resources like codingbootcamps.io to leverage a vast number of bootcamps to learn JavaScript and other coding languages. Because sometimes, you apply the logic with coding but forget that there’s already a built-in function for it, making it easier and may save time.
For example, when you run the Java code, there could be a possibility that you get an error that, as a result, disturbs the working of the program. For example, a single colon or inverted commas might cause this. So, if you are not familiar with the basics, it can be a pain for you to look for this type of fundamental error. However, no matter which programming language you are working on, these fundamentals remain the same and are essential to learning.
Therefore, brushing up on your fundamentals is essential since they supply a solid foundation for developing complicated logic and a solid reputation.
Learn Java Libraries and APIs
Java is the most widely used and advanced programming language globally, with several libraries and APIs for nearly any purpose. If you’ve worked with talented Java developers, you’ve probably observed that they have a strong understanding of the Java Ecosystem and APIs.
You are not required to be familiar with all of them, but you should be aware of several essential APIs like JSON processing APIs such as Jackson and Gson, XML processing APIs such as JAXB, and Xerces, and unit testing libraries such as Mockito and JUnit, and many others.
Handling the Errors
If you are a programmer, errors are a part of your everyday routine. They provide additional options that you may not have considered when developing the code. However, these mistakes must be handled appropriately, or the program’s flow could be disrupted.
There are alternative ways to improve your code and try to find the errors. One among them is using the Try, Catch, and Finally method. You must write the code in the Try block, which you think might have errors. If there is an error, the Catch block will run an error-handling code or display the error. The code in the Finally block is executed in all the cases. Here is a code example.
In any case, errors must be handled in the first place so that the flow of the program is not disturbed.
Also, once you get any error or exception, you should find and remember the root cause of the error and try to fix it.
For example:
When you are working on eclipse, you may get No compiler is provided in this environment. Perhaps you are running on JRE rather than JDK?. You will generally get this error when you have configured JRE in eclipse rather than JDK. Next time, you encounter an issue, you already know how to fix it.
Refine Unit Testing
Every skilled Java programmer has advanced unit testing abilities, and it is a crucial feature that distinguishes excellent Java developers from average Java developers. Most organizations nowadays require their developers to know the tools used for automated testing, unit testing, integration testing, and performance testing as a Java Developer.
As a competent Java developer, you should always build unit tests for your code since they assist in code validation during behavior or state testing.
Understand senior developer’s code
There will always be someone better than you when it comes to coding with Java. No matter how proficient you get, there will always be better reasoning for the same problem, no matter how sound your logic is. If you’re serious about becoming a Java master, recognizing this truth shouldn’t be an issue.
When you are a junior developer, you should not do anything except hear what a senior developer has got to say. So, pay attention and take notes.
Reading other developers’ code is a fantastic approach to improve your Java abilities. Of course, it is preferable to look at any problem code, but it is preferable to ascertain the code of a problem you have faced. Follow Developer Communities Such as Stack Overflow and Java Point to connect with the senior developers, and this will help you brush up on your skills.
Work on Design Patterns
If you’re starting from scratch with a Java program, you’ll probably create object-oriented code and design patterns. The object and class relationships are represented using design patterns. The recurrent issue in these object-oriented systems may be solved if object and class naming is done methodically.
Knowing about them and implementing them into your code makes your application more adaptable and changeable in the future. Therefore, a thorough grasp of design patterns will always be advantageous.
Learn Kotlin
Java developers are encouraged to learn new JVM languages, and Kotlin is one of them. It’s a superb language from JetBrains, the makers of IntelliJ IDEA, and it is also Google’s official language for Android development.
Kotlin is a static programming language that runs on Java virtual machines and may be compiled into JavaScript code or the LLVM compiler. It will not only boost your productivity but will also help you to establish a successful career in Android programming.
Java Data Types
When it comes to data types, they are present in all programming languages, and Java is no exception. Therefore, you must understand the Java data types to become a better Java developer.
In programming languages, data types are used to specify a particular type of data. This will inform you of the possible values you may assign to a variable that you have defined.
Once you understand what data types are in Java and learn to utilize them, you’ve covered half of the Java fundamentals. So, study this thoroughly and have a thorough grasp of each data type and its applications.
Keep yourself motivated
Learning Java is a difficult task, and understanding it will not be easy. There is always something new to know when it comes to Java because it is a never-ending process. Many people never improve their Java coding skills because they spend too much time simply doing what they are comfortable with.
So, whenever you conclude a lesson, ask yourself if you learned anything new. That is the secret to achievement. Next, keep in mind what you wish to study or enhance your skills in it. Instead of sticking to a single comfort zone, make sure you’re challenging yourself and improving as a developer.
Practice, practice, and practice
When it comes to practice, there is no shortcut to it. Rather than spending a lot of time learning theoretical knowledge, you should actually sit down and practice as much code as possible.
You can practice a lot of java programming interview questions and programs. It will help you to build logic, write better and more optimized code.
You can also learn how to implement various data structures in java such as Stack, Queue, LinkedList, Binary tree, etc.
Concluding statements
It’s not easy to become a skilled Java programmer. It takes devotion, effort, and time. So, keep these tips in mind and implement them one by one, and you are ready to compete with anybody and build anything once you have fulfilled the goals stated in each section.
Don’t learn to impress others, including recruiters, interviewers, and future employers. Instead, remember to add value to your work. As a capable Java developer, you should value yourself. No matter where life takes you, you will carry this value with you.
