As a user-friendly and flexible language, Java is one of the most popular languages for program management experts and web app developers. Since it can run on any operating system, Java can be used for various programming needs. As long as the system has a Java interpreter, it will be able to run Java.
Because of its security features, portability, and more, this programming language can be a great asset to know. If you work in app development, you’ll want to ensure that you have a basic understanding of Java. We’ve created a quick guide to help you get acclimated to the basics of Java for mobile app development.
Java for app development: History, pros, and cons
The Java programming language was developed in the early 1990s. It was created for embedded network applications running on multiple platforms. Now, Java is one of the most commonly used programming languages for computer and mobile app development.
Many developers use this programming language for app development. Although there are many perks to using this language, there are some drawbacks that have been identified. In this next section, we’ll go over some of the advantages and disadvantages of this language.
Pros of using Java for app development
- Android app development: Developers predominantly use Java skills to build apps for the Android market. Android accounts for nearly 82% of the smartphone market, making it incredibly important for developers to know Java.
- Continuously changing: Java is continually evolving with new features and expanded capabilities.
- Staple industry language: There is evidence that 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Java. It has continuously evolved to fit present needs, and it’s also incredibly popular in the industry.
- Ease of use: The Java language is both easy to understand and troubleshoot. Java avoids the complex coding problems that other programming languages face.
- Demand for developers: Java-related skills make independent workers sought-after teammates. The abundance of Java jobs will continue to create a need for developers who know this language.
- Versatile API: Because of Java’s API, programmers can have thousands of classes and 50 keywords to code. The API is incredibly versatile, and it’s also easy for new coders to learn and master.
Cons of using Java for app development
- Reputation: Java has a bit of a rough history with security. In 2013, vulnerabilities in the language resulted in cyberattacks on some of the most popular sites using Java—Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and more.
- Other languages: Since Java’s inception, more and more programming languages have appeared. Today, Java is not as popular as it once was because of other programming languages, like Python and PHP.
- Can be banned: Some argue that Java isn’t well-suited for mobile devices. As a result, Apple decided not to allow Java on the iPhone or iPad.
- Android Java: Android Java and Server Java are different in terms of libraries. Oracle has pending litigation against Google, which, according to experts, could cause a drop in developer relevance.
9 tips for using Java to develop your app
Java has been and will continue to be a popular language for development. Because of its ease of use, versatility, and adaptability, learning Java can be a great asset to developers across the globe. Now that you understand the background of Java and what it can offer your team, let’s review some tips for using this programming language.
- Master the basics
- Practice, practice, practice
- Learn Java 8
- Limit string size
- Periodically check code
- Use microservices and cloud
- Understand the Spring Framework
- Study Java libraries and APIs
- Stay up to date
1. Master the basics
Ensuring that you have a strong foundation and understanding of the basics of Java is important to ensure that you become a great programmer in this language. Understanding the basics provides you with a foundation to grow and build more complex skills in the future.
Although the Java language isn’t necessarily difficult to grasp, going in as a beginner and seeing all of the code can be confusing.
2. Practice, practice, practice
Regardless of your skill level and technical expertise, everyone can grow from practice. If you want to become a successful Java programmer, it’s incumbent that you practice programming and ensure that you’ve mastered the basics.
Practicing programming will help you improve your problem-solving skills and be better prepared for the real world. The best part? You can practice Java programming from the comfort of your home.
3. Learn Java 8
This tip is particularly essential for those already familiar with Java. Java 8 is the response to some of the drawbacks of Java 7 and previous iterations. Since the language has been around since the ’90s, it needed a bit of an update.
All in all, Java 8 has made the language more reliable, efficient, and a better competitor against other languages.
Java 8 advantages include:
- Productivity
- Security
- Easier to use
- Polyglot programming
- Better performance
Today, Java 13 is available. Although learning up to Java 13 is not yet necessary, all coders should know at least up to Java 8. Because Java 8 has features like Stream API and lambdas, all programmers using Java need to learn at least the basics of this iteration.
4. Limit string size
Avoid memory loss by optimizing rows. Ultimately, this will help your program run faster and more efficiently. Strings can get lengthy and end up using precious space, which can be used for better program features.
5. Periodically check code
Although checking for bugs and catching any errors can be a tedious, time-consuming task, it’s crucial to the success of any project. The good news is that other developers have found that checking code is also a tedious task, which is why they have developed solutions.
You can catch bugs quickly by using Null Pointer Exception and Stack Trace.
6. Use microservices and cloud
As more and more companies switch from monolithic applications to microservices, it’s becoming ever more necessary for Java developers to have an understanding of the microservice architecture.
Luckily, the development process can be simplified using the Spring Framework (Spring Boot and Spring Cloud).
7. Understand the Spring Framework
Going off that note, it’s also vital to understand Spring Framework, which is otherwise known as Spring Boot.
Compared to other microservices, Sprint Boot tends to be favored for developing web applications.
Learning the basics of Spring Framework can give you a competitive edge and will become more and more necessary in the future.
8. Study Java libraries and APIs
A good Java developer will have an overall knowledge of the Java ecosystem. It isn’t necessary to know every minor detail about Java, but knowing the APIs and libraries can greatly help you understand the Java ecosystem.
Although there are more, knowing at least these APIs and libraries will provide you with a good foundation:
- JSON processing APIs, such as Gson and Jackson
- XML processing APIs, such as Xerces and JAXB
- Unit testing libraries, such as JUnit and Mockito
9. Stay up to date
The Java programming language isn’t going away anytime soon. Ensuring that you are up to date and understanding the newest developments can help you create a great app.
Online resources will ensure that you are up to date on the latest trends and ready for action. Additionally, being a part of the community and using forums to chat with industry peers will help you overcome any app development issues.
Talking with industry peers is particularly important for remote teams to stay current with new findings and implement them within their development team.
Access top Java developers on demand
Since its inception in the 1990s, Java has been a prominent coding language. As updates are continually being made and large corporations aren’t racing to use other languages, Java is here to stay.
