Top Skills Programming Skills: Java

Top Skills Programming Skills: Java

If you’re looking to shift your career to software development, one of the first things you’ll have to decide is which programming language to learn. You want to pick a versatile language that will give you career mobility and growth potential. That’s easy, right? It can be overwhelming to decide which programming language will best serve your career, but there’s one that checks all the boxes. Start with Java programming.

As an object-oriented language, Java is a relatively easy programming language for beginners to learn. It is a cross-platform language that works on any operating system, hardware or device, and may be the most secure programming language developed so far. It’s well respected in developer communities and is a language that will be around for a long time. In fact, according to the 2017 Stack Overflow Developer Survey (a survey completed by over 64,000 developers), Java is the third most popular programming language in the world.

Is Java still relevant?

Yes. Java allows programmers to “write once, run anywhere” (WORA). Because of this, it is currently the preferred language for the IoT (Internet of Things) solutions. Many programmers also look to Java when building enterprise-level applications. Java is also the language used to build applications for Android, the world’s number one mobile platform.

Java is easy to use, reliable, secure, and platform independent. This combination makes it a very popular programming language. It also has one of the largest global communities with high-quality documentation. Here’s why Java programming is one of 2019’s top skills:

Why is Java programming important in 2019?

You can earn great money as a Java developer.

According to PayScale, the median salary for Java developers is $73,540 and the national average salary is listed at $76,000, but the top earners in the field earn over $103,000 annually. Those who are new to Java programming skills can expect to earn less. However, the median salary for an entry-level Java developer is just over $67,000. 

Demand for Java developers is high in the United States.

There are a lot of jobs for Java programmers available. In fact, Gooroo reports that nearly 7 percent of all tech job ads mention Java as a requirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that software development jobs will expected to grow 24 percent through 2026. Moreover, software applications jobs will grow 31 percent.

Java is here to stay.

Not only does Java drive Android applications, Oracle reports that 97% of enterprise desktops run Java. Companies including Google, IBM, Uber, Facebook, eBay, and Netflix are just a few that use Java. Actually, it’s difficult to find a business that doesn’t rely on Java for some type of application development. In addition to its versatility, another reason Java is so popular is its just-in-time compiler which makes it one of the fastest language/implementation combinations around.

Java has a large library.

Java has a large global community of developers. There are also hundreds of Java libraries that provide solutions to common problems when developing an enterprise application. Many times, open source and free options found in these libraries solve the issues your organizes faces. These are great resources for new and more experienced developers and something that sets Java apart from many other programming languages.

What can you do with Java skills?

Developing Java programming skills and building a portfolio is your best bet for starting a career as an entry-level Java developer. According to ZipRecruiter, there are nearly 145,000 open jobs for Java developers. As you gain skill and experience, you could go on to become a senior software engineer/developer, software architect, software development manager, lead software engineer, IT project manager, and more.

Java is a popular programming language that is here to stay. Whether you’re interested in developing applications for mobile, web, or even Internet of Things, it is imperative that you know Java. In addition, you can gain one of the top skills to have in 2019, make great money, join a prominent community of developers, and make a difference in the way people interact with technology—all by getting the necessary training to become a Java developer.