This article focuses entirely on learning Java programming and Java’s development perspective and I believe that you are already good at key elements such as coding, data structures and algorithms, and computer science concepts such as networking, protocols, object-oriented programming, etc. These tips are equally useful for both Core Java developers, i.e., Java guys who write server-side applications but are not interested in web development skills like JSP, Servlet, and JEE, as well as Java Web developers whose primary job is to write web applications using Java technology.
Learn DevOps
This is one place where I saw a lot of momentum last year. And more organizations are switching to DevOps and are starting to integrate and deploy. DevOps is vast and you need to learn a lot of resources and concepts, and that’s what overwhelms a lot of developers, so you don’t need to think about it. You can find a DevOps RoadMap that you can follow to learn and master DevOps at your own pace. This means that if you are an accomplished Java programmer with a passion for managing the environment, automation and improving the overall structure, you can become a DevOps Engineer. If you’re looking for some awesome tools, then Master Jenkins CI For DevOps and Developers is a great place to start, especially for Java developers, and if you want to learn more, this DevOps Roadmap is the perfect companion.
Get training for software design and architecture
Software design and architecture are perhaps the most critical phases of the software development process. Being able to see the big picture and think about the issue at hand and settle on the best design and technology stack to execute the app is a vital skill for any software developer, not just a Java developer. If you’re looking to accelerate your career in 2020 and want to become a senior Java developer company, I suggest that you learn about Software Architecture. If you plan to become an architect solution, this expertise will also benefit you a lot and make a difference from other developers. If you need a resource to learn basic things about Software Design and Architecture, then I recommend that you check out the Web Application & Software Architecture 101 course on Educative. It’s a perfect way to learn various architectural trends like Microservice, client-server, and distributed applications. If you want to learn java programming then software design and architecture training will help you to increase your skill set in java programming.
Git training
Git and Github have been around for some time, and while I used Git in the past with Eclipse, but I’m still the master of Git on the command line, and I’m not alone, how many programmers haven’t mastered Git yet? Simply because they haven’t needed it yet, as there may be a code in SVN or CVS. I have also occasionally downloaded projects from Github and run from Eclipse but still far from being an expert on Git commands, particularly reverting changes and handling errors. Since most companies are now moving their projects from SVN, CVS to Git, it’s high time to learn and master Git.
Learn Spring Framework 5
I’ve heard about some new features like the Spring 5 reactive programming model, the adoption of recent Java features, some unit testing enhancements, etc, but I still have to try it out. Anyway, I’ve already begun to learn Spring 5.0 after Spring 5. 0: Novice to Guru and keep the momentum going in 2020. If you’re using Spring, it’s probably the right time to learn Spring 5.0.
Learn unit testing
Another field where I want to change in the coming year. There are several new frameworks and resources available to Java programmers for unit testing and integration testing of their applications such as Mockito and PowerMock for mock objects, Robot Framework and Cucumber for automated integration testing and, of course, the new and shining JUnit 5 library. There’s a lot to learn on this front. If you can spend some time to upgrade your unit testing skills, not only will your coding skills improve, but you will also become a more skilled developer that every organization is looking for. To start with, you can check out the Udemy JUnit and Mockito Crash Course.
Get training for APIs and Libraries
If you’ve worked with great Java developers, you may have found that their overall knowledge of the Java Ecosystem and APIs is a big part of it. Java is the most popular and mature programming language in the world, and there are loads of libraries and APIs available to do almost anything. Of course, you’re not supposed to know all of them, but you should be familiar with some primary APIs like JSON processing APIs like Jackson and Gson, XML processing APIs like JAXB and Xerces, Test Unit libraries like Mockito and JUnit, etc.
JVM internals
If you’re serious about being a Rockstar Java Developer, then you need to spend time studying JVM internals, e.g., what are different sections of JVM, how they function, JIT, JVM options, Garbage collections, and collectors, etc. If you know JVM well, you can write both stable and high-performance Java applications, and that’s what Rockstar Java developers do.
Design patterns
If you write a Java application from scratch, most of the time you write object-oriented code, and design patterns are tried and tested to solve common problems. By knowing and integrating them into your code, you can make your application more versatile and easier to alter in the future. It also increases overall code quality and documentation, since other Java developers are also familiar with design trends and can understand the solution very quickly.
Microservices
Architecture is continuously evolving, and many organizations are switching from monolithic applications to microservices. It’s high time Java developers studied the architecture of Microservice and how to build Microservices in Java to take advantage of this recent surge. Fortunately, Spring Cloud and Spring Boot provide a structure that greatly simplifies the creation of microservices in Java.
Spring Boot 2
The Spring Boot System also has a new version of Spring Boot 2. If you get after all these goals this year, you should spend some time studying Spring Boot 2.
