People considering a software development career often grapple with the dilemma of choosing a programming language to master. With so many coding languages in use in the world today, it is an understandable problem.
It’s not possible for any programmer to become an expert in all languages. A newbie developer should surely seek to have mastery of at least one language and fairly good working knowledge of a couple more. If there’s one language that should be at the top of your priority list, it’s Java. Here are the reasons why.
Readable, Understandable and Friendly Syntax
Java is one of the most verbose languages you’ll encounter. Many even cite this as its biggest drawback. However, verbose is a positive, especially for beginner coders. Program lines must be explicitly written. For seasoned developers, this can be arduous and feel like a waste of precious time.
For rookies though, explicit coding is useful to help one grasp the core foundational principles of programming. Java also has plenty of useful modules already built-in. You, for instance, do not have to be concerned about articulating memory management. This ensures that even a learner can create something functional and practical from early on.
Large Community
Attending a Java programming class would be great if you want to master the language. However, no class training can teach you everything you need to know. That’s why the size and activity of the programming community is so important. And fortunately for anyone interested in a Java career, there’s a large and active community that can help you do that.
Newbies can count on enthusiastic assistance whenever they run into problems. You can also search through the large database of answered questions on various Java forums including those on Reddit, Github, StackOverflow and DZone. In addition, if you do get hired as a Java developer, you are unlikely to be the only person at your new job who’s familiar with the language. There’ll always be someone knowledgeable you can reach out to.
Numerous Job Opportunity
It must be said from the onset that no career, including programming, has guaranteed job opportunities. Nevertheless, certain programming languages have broader areas of application and thus higher job prospects. As a coding language, Java is virtually omnipresent. It’s used everywhere from smartphones to satellites.
Once you attain a certain minimum level of Java competence, the number of industries you can find work is immense. What’s more, you do not even have to be employed in a 9-to-5 job. You could choose to set up your own software development company or work on contract as a freelancer.
Good Remuneration
The availability of vacancies is a good thing but certainly not the only reason you should consider acquiring Java skills. After all, certain types of jobs have numerous vacancies available but the low pay makes them unattractive. Fortunately, for Java, it has the best of both worlds: plenty of vacancies and good pay.
In the US, the average Java programmer makes about $110,000 a year. It’s actually not surprising when you consider that Java has dominated the TIOBE programming index of trending popular programming languages for nearly 20 years. That in itself is a reflection of overwhelming skill demand.
Versatile and Portable
Java is an extremely versatile and portable language. It is used across a wide range of platforms. As an open source language, it’s not tied to any one environment. It’s tagline ‘write once and run anywhere’ couldn’t be more accurate.
Java bytecode can run on any operating system or hardware that has the right JVM. A Java application built-in Windows can be executed on Linux or MacOS. Java’s versatility comes from its reliance on dynamic object-oriented classes. It’s easy to see how and when to log Java exceptions.
The above reasons provide a compelling argument for learning Java. And the good thing is that once you master Java, it’s easier to take up other coding languages later.
How to Effectively Learn Coding in 2020
Learning Java can be a pain when you’re just starting your coding career. Sometimes you need a mentor who will help and motivate you to finish the course. Others need a flexible schedule to effectively learn to code while working on a full-time job. So choosing the right courses can be a very time-consuming task. If you are ready to make your first step into the world of programming, be sure to check the list of coding boot camps on BootcampRankings. There you can find everything about coding courses and how to finance your education.