Java has remained the most popular language for application software development for more than thirty years. Highly utilized for machine learning and data science applications, Java is the basis of the Android operating system. The easy-to-use design, cross-platform capabilities, and security are what make Java such a favorite in the field of programming.
Thanks to its versatility and dependability, there are seemingly endless reasons to learn Java. If you’re new to programming, Java is a great place to start, thanks to its beginner-friendly design. It’s also affordable, with no up-front costs for utilizing the basics and budget-friendly pricing for large-scale business purposes. When you combine that with its open-source platform design, you have a programming language that can lead to exciting new careers, advancements within your already established programming career, increased earnings, and a long-term career trajectory.
If you’re interested in learning more about these perks of learning Java, read below. These top reasons may help motivate you to pursue a course in Java, opening up an entirely new world of professional and personal possibilities.
Fee-Free or Low-Cost Use
If you’re a programmer or developer who’s looking to make the best use of Java to test the environment and development, there’s good news: you can do all that with no overhead costs! And, if you are looking for commercial purposes, Java programs are cheap to develop and maintain. They can be easily run on any machine, which also helps to reduce extra maintenance costs. Therefore, it’s an add-on advantage for companies to complete their tasks within less budget.
Open-Source Platform
Originally developed by Sun Microsystems, Java was then bought in 2009 by Oracle. Today, Java builds are available in two ways: as a proprietary option by Oracle and as an open-source build called OpenJDK. An open-source approach improves the code and delivers more enhancements and bug fixes than can be done by one organization with limited resources. Because of this, code is developed and released rapidly, especially after moving to a new release model. Open source increases speed, improves adaptability, and lowers costs for an organization or company. It’s also scalable, allowing you to start small with community versions and then eventually migrate to a commercially supported solution later.
Ample Development Tools
Java provides you with many integrated development environments (IDEs) that programmers who have worked for years in the field like Eclipse, Android Studio, IntelliJ IDEA, and NetBeans. You can use these utilities of these tools to automate code refactoring, syntax highlighting, or simple debugging. Once you’ve mastered using these tools, leveraging Java to learn and do your work will be easier and faster without additional cost.
Information Security
Java is considered a general programming language, one that was designed as a write-once, run-anywhere (WORA) code. Revolving around its reduced number of implementation dependencies, Java can run on all platforms that support it. This makes securing Java environments much easier, solidifying it as one of the most essential programming languages in cybersecurity.
Starting a New Career
Learning Java can help you begin an exciting career in computer programming or web development. Java is platform-independent and scalable, which are part of what makes it the second most popular programming language and the most popular interface. Being an expert in Java will be required for many programming jobs and, because Java is beginner-friendly, it’s an easy first language to master. The language has a syntax similar to English which helps you to write, debug, compile, and learn Java programming much quicker than other programming languages. Job opportunities for web developers are expected to increase along with e-commerce opportunities: projected employment growth is 30% from 2021 to 2031.
Leveling Up Your Career
Likewise, if you are currently a programmer and are looking to learn new skills or earn a promotion, learning Java can be extremely helpful. Knowing Java allows you to pursue advancement in software development, app development, or web design. Java can be used to create business apps, automated tests, and mobile games, among many other things. If the project or role involves coding, you can almost certainly use Java. Many top companies like Android, Nasa, Apple, and Google already use it for healthcare, defense systems, technology, and more.
Plus, there are over 9 million Java developers worldwide, allowing you to be a part of a robust and interesting community that you can call on for support when you’re learning Java or implementing it at work.
A commitment to evolve and learn is a highly desirable trait in a potential employee, one that companies will no doubt be looking for. Learning an additional programming language showcases your adaptability and problem-solving skills, making you a more desirable candidate for a raise or higher-ranking role.
Increased Earning
It’s no secret that programmers earn substantially more than a lot of other careers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a computer programmer is $97,800 (approximately $47 per hour) with a substantially higher salary of $124,000 for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. With the average salary in the U.S. hovering around $59,000, it’s clear that becoming a programmer can be a very lucrative career move.
Career Stability
While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% decline in employment for programmers, it also estimates about 6,700 openings for computer programmers in that same span. Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are looking at a 25% growth rate from 2022 to 2032, with over 153,000 job openings projected, on average, over the decade.
Additionally, Java celebrated its 20th anniversary with the launch of Java 16, proving that it is a stable and in-demand language that isn’t going anywhere. This longevity lends a certain level of stability to a career in programming and development. Still preferred after all these years by major companies (and even used to run the Mars Curiosity Rover!), learning Java can lead to a long and fulfilling career in a variety of industries. You could find yourself working as a Java tester, quality assurance analyst, programmer analyst, web developer, or UX designer. From apps to software to websites, the need for skilled programmers isn’t going anywhere. Learning Java can help you create a long and successful career path.