Satya Prakash SharmaSince 1995 when it was first released, Java remains one of the critical languages for application development. The compiled object-oriented programming language is popular because of its cross-platform applications that allow backend developers to create web apps and write server-side code. Java can be used to develop web applications, android apps, applications for the cloud, and deploy Machine Learning and Internet of Things solutions.
Core Java skills: Java is versatile, and to fully utilize its potential, a backend developer must understand some basic concepts of core Java. Object-oriented programming or OOP is a concept that Java developers must master. It bases programming around data and objects instead of logic. Abstraction is a concept of OOP used to make Java code modular using abstract classes. Serialization makes Java code portable by transporting objects between Java virtual machines. Developers must know how serialization works in Java.
Design patterns: Java developers must know the concept of design patterns that help find solutions for frequently occurring problems during coding. Creational, Structural, and Behavioral are the three most important design patterns for developers to learn. These patterns help find a solution to frequently occurring problems during coding.
Understanding of SOLID principles: SOLID is an object-oriented programming concept that improves the quality of the code.
SOLID stands for:
Single responsibility: Making classes responsible for one item each to avoid interconnected problems in the code.
Open-closed: Making functions, classes, and modules open for a call by extensions but not for modifications.
Liskov substitution: According to this principle, a Java developer must replace related superclasses with subclasses.
Interface segregation: In a program design, developers should focus on creating interfaces specific to one client to avoid irrelevant interfaces. It helps develop applications that are cohesive and secure.
Dependency inversion: Java developers should create dependency objects as abstractions instead of specific items. Furthermore, developers should avoid making high-level modules dependent on low-level modules.
Code Version Control: Version control is an integral part of software development. Developers use version control systems to record and control changes happening in code over time. Several version control software tools exist such as GitHub, GitLab, BeanStalk, and BitBucket. Among these, GitHub is the most popular VCS tool.
Web Frameworks: Java makes it possible to build enterprise-level web applications and mobile applications with minimal code. Spring MVC and Play are two of the most powerful Java frameworks for web apps. Spring is made on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) framework developers prefer for its simple syntax, excellent object injection capabilities, simplicity, and automated testing tools.
Java testing tools: Java developers will also be part of processes, apart from writing code. Testing tools allow backend developers to test their code for bugs without using the production database. Most companies prefer Java developers who know testing tools like Selenium and TestNG.
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Official resources
Online courses & tutorials
Object-Oriented Programming in Java Specialization by Coursera
Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software by Coursera
Java Programming Masterclass covering Java 11 & Java 17
Java Fundamentals: The Java Language
Java In-Depth: Become a Complete Java Engineer!
Books for Java developers
Java in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference
Java Performance: In-Depth Advice for Tuning and Programming Java 8, 11, and Beyond
Online communities for Java developers
Podcasts for Java developers
Bus318 – Business Programming In Java
Soft skills for Java developers
Competent developers have excellent technical skills, but they also have soft skills crucial to leading project development teams. As part of a team, you participate at all stages of development. Following are some essential soft skills to focus on.
Time management: Java developers work under deadlines, and it is essential to stick to a well-defined time frame. You must access the time required to complete each phase of the development process. Time management skills ensure that you meet every step of the application development cycle.
Communication skills: Constant communication with team members is part of software development. Keeping up with clients and following up with stakeholders will be a routine job. It is why developers should have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Adaptability: Java developers should be willing to adjust. As the technologies upgrade, developers often have to upskill and adapt to new features and tools. Java has been around for over three decades. It is one of the earliest languages to build enterprise applications and software. Being adaptable will keep you flexible such that you can easily handle any changes in the development environment—regardless of your initial background.
Checkout some soft skill improvement resources for developers:
Six soft skills that still impress employers in 2022
7 Most valuable soft skills of exceptional software engineers
Upskilling: a complete guide for professionals
Conclusion
Being a good Java developer is an act of balance between hard skills, good knowledge of Java’s ecosystem, and essential soft skills. While technologies are constantly updated, the core skills listed here and soft skills will remain important for Java developers. We handpicked these resources to help you become a great asset to a software development team.
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