How to Learn Java Programming in 2024?

Want to Become a Java Developer in 2024? Here Are My 3 Tried and Tested Ways to Learn Java and Succeed!

Hello everyone! If you're aiming to become a professional Java developer or looking to elevate your Java skills but aren't sure which technologies, tools, frameworks, and libraries to focus on, you've come to the right place.

Anyway, I am finally ready to share my Java Developer Roadmap with you. This roadmap contains my years of experience and provides a clear path to becoming a Java expert.

You will find that this Java roadmap answers many burning questions like which technologies a Java developer should learn, what tools make you a better Java developer, and which frameworks a Java developer must absolutely learn.

One of the things I aimed for with this roadmap is to keep it as concise as possible. I have avoided mentioning many alternatives, particularly when it comes to libraries and tools, and have stuck with industry-standard options.

If you are interested, you can find a more exhaustive list of separate blog posts, which I have listed in the further learning section. Now, let’s go through this Java Developer Roadmap to understand how to become a Java developer in 2024.

By the way, you don’t need to understand everything on this roadmap to become a rockstar developer. In fact, you don’t even need to take it too seriously if you don’t want to. Instead, use this map as a starting point to help guide your learning as you go.

And, if you are not a Medium member, I highly recommend you join Medium to read great stories like this from great authors in different fields. You can join Medium here.

Mandatory skill for any Java developers

Now, let’s go through this Java developer RoadMap step by step and find out how you can learn the essential skills requires to become a Java Developer in 2024:

1. Git & GitHub

Git is an indispensable tool for modern programmers. As a distributed version control system, it allows you to efficiently track changes to your code, collaborate with others, and experiment without fear of breaking your project.

Mastering Git and its popular platform, GitHub, is essential. Key concepts include branching (creating separate lines of development), checking out (switching between different code versions), committing (saving changes locally), pushing (sharing changes to a remote repository), and pulling (fetching changes from a remote repository). Familiarize yourself with commands like (comparing changes) and git commit (saving changes) to effectively manage your codebase.

I highly recommend Java programmers to learn Git and Github and if you already worked with Git then you can also level up your Git skills and If you need a resource then you can check out

2. Linux

For any programmer, not just web developers, mastering the Linux command line is crucial. This is especially true for Java developers, as most Java applications are server-side and commonly run on Linux servers. Therefore, it's imperative for Java developers to be well-versed in essential Linux concepts and commands.

Familiarity with commands related to file management, disk space checking, process management, and networking is invaluable. These skills not only improve your efficiency but also enhance your ability to troubleshoot and manage applications effectively.

To level up your Linux skills, I highly recommend exploring comprehensive resources that can provide in-depth knowledge and practical experience. open Source Software Development, Linux and Git Specialization

3. Data Structures and Algorithms

A solid understanding of Algorithms and Data Structures forms the building blocks of any program. This knowledge is essential for securing your next job or excelling in your current role. At a minimum, you should be familiar with key data structures such as arrays, linked lists, hash tables, binary trees, queues, stacks, and graphs. Additionally, problem-solving techniques like dynamic programming are crucial.

Knowing advanced data structures like Trie, B-Tree, and AVL tree is beneficial. However, if you are not yet familiar with these, I recommend checking out this YouTube video to enhance your understanding.

4. HTTP / HTTPS

The HTTP protocol is the backbone of the web, and a good knowledge of both HTTP and HTTPS is mandatory for a web developer. At least you should know about At least you should know about how HTTP and HTTPS works and what are different HTTP methods and their purposes etc.

5. Computer Science Fundamentals

For developers creating global applications that support multiple languages, a solid understanding of character encodings is essential. Character encodings ensure your browser correctly displays multilingual data.

To further enhance your Computer Science knowledge, consider the "Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization" by the University of London. This 3-part course covers Computers, Programming, and Mathematics, providing valuable insights for all programmers, including Java developers. With over 39,000 participants benefiting from this program, it's a fantastic resource to deepen your understanding and skills.

6. SQL

SQL is an essential skill for every Java developer, as it aids in troubleshooting back-end issues. With SQL knowledge, you can work with stored procedures, query databases, and determine whether problems stem from the Java layer or the database layer.

I strongly recommend that all programmers, whether you're a Java developer or working with Python, learn SQL. It’s a valuable skill that's easy to pick up and will benefit you throughout your career as a developer.

If you need a resource, I suggest looking at the Java Database Connectivity.

7. Design Patterns

There is no doubt that every programmer should know Git and Github as they are the standard in terms of version control and code repository. If you want to learn and master Design Patterns, particularly OOP Design patterns then I suggest you join the Design Patterns in Java course . This is a great course to learn the modern implementation of classic design patterns in Java.

The 2024 Java Developer RoadMap

1. Tools

The tools section of your development toolkit is organized into several categories. The first and foremost is your Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This primary tool is incredibly versatile, capable of compiling, running, debugging, profiling, testing, comparing files and code, refactoring, and much more. It serves as the central hub for your development activities, streamlining various tasks and enhancing productivity.

1.1 IDEs

For Java Developers, there are two main IDES, Eclipse and IntelliJIDEA, you can choose any one of them as I have used Eclipse most in my life but I am currently working in IntelliJIDEA so I love both of them, but most of the Java developers I know they work in IDEA.

1.2 Containers and DevOps Tools

Among these tools, Docker stands out as particularly important. It simplifies setting up your development environment and facilitates the deployment of Java microservices.

On the other hand, Kubernetes is a more advanced tool. While it's not essential for every Java developer, especially if you’re not involved in DevOps or managing aspects like scaling and deployment, it’s valuable to understand from a knowledge standpoint.

2. Frameworks

The best thing about Java is that it has a vibrant ecosystem, which means there are a lot of frameworks and libraries for almost anything. Usually, I don’t suggest a Java developer learn a framework until he needs to use it in his project. Still, there are some frameworks and libraries, which I believe every Java developer should know like Spring, Spring Boot, Hibernate, Log4j, JUnit, etc.

Best Java Books for Beginners and Experienced

When I began learning Java, I relied on books that were often lengthy, dense, and challenging to read, though they did provide code examples that I could run. During the 1990s and early 2000s, this was one of the best ways to learn Java.

Today, however, there are far more engaging resources available, such as interactive coding websites and online courses, which I’ve mentioned in the previous section. You no longer need to slog through those dense textbooks. Instead, you can choose more captivating books to learn and master Java, like the ones I’ve recommended below:

1. Head First Java 3rd Edition
2. Effective Java by Joshua Bloch
3. Learn Java the Easy Way : A Hands-On Introduction to Programming
4. Java Concurrency in Practice

Conclusion

Mastering Java and advancing your programming skills involves more than just understanding the language itself. It's crucial to be well-versed in essential tools and concepts that support your development work.

Familiarity with the Linux command line, character encodings, and SQL will significantly enhance your ability to troubleshoot and manage applications effectively. Embracing modern resources like interactive coding platforms can make learning more engaging compared to traditional, lengthy textbooks.

Additionally, understanding Docker for environment setup and deployment, and gaining knowledge of Kubernetes for scaling and management, will further enrich your skill set. By integrating these tools and practices, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in your Java development career and adapt to evolving technological demands.