As a key resource in the development of web and mobile applications, Java developers are increasingly in demand! But what exactly do they do?
What is a Java developer?
A Java developer is a computer scientist who has the skills to create computer programs using Java language. Java was created by Sun Microsystems and is now owned by Oracle, one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world. Its popularity is due to its portability, robustness and ability to create large-scale applications. Java developers create applications for a variety of platforms, including web, mobile and enterprise applications.
There are three versions: the standard Java edition (Java SE) for basic applications, the enterprise edition (Java EE) and the Java Micro edition, which complements the SE version with specific features designed for smartphones and embedded systems. A Java developer’s expertise generally extends to Frameworks and tools associated with Java, such as Spring and Hibernate, as well as related languages such as SQL and shell.
What does a Java developer do?
The role of a Java developer varies according to the professional context and the project that they are currently working on. Generally speaking, a Java developer is responsible for designing, developing, testing and maintaining applications using Java language. They are usually responsible for the following tasks:
- Software solution design: analysing user needs to design appropriate software architectures.
- Application development: writing clean code (specifically code that remains as close as possible to Sonar standards) as well as efficient code for web, mobile and desktop applications (optimising response times and memory allocated to the program).
- Testing and debugging: verifying that code is working as expected and resolving any issues that are detected, both on the technical and functional side (unit and integration tests).
- Maintenance and updates: management of bug fixes, improvements and updates to applications. They also closely monitor any plug-ins that are used (switching from the Javax package to Jakarta) to maintain program stability in line with the major Java and Spring versions used.
Java developers often collaborate with other developers (front-end, mainframe, etc.), project managers, business analysts, OPS (for application deployment) and end-users to ensure that applications meet user needs and quality standards.
What type of tasks do they undertake?
Needs analysis
The first task completed by a Java developer is to analyse user needs, including understanding functional and technical requirements, identifying constraints and defining detailed project specifications so that they can ensure the development meets the exact needs and expectations of end users.
Design and architecture
After the analysis phase, a Java developer designs the application’s architecture, starting with which general structure to use for the program, choosing the appropriate frameworks and libraries, and defining interactions between the system’s various components. Good architecture is essential for ensuring a maintainable, high-performance application.
Development
A Java developer’s main role is to write the application’s source code. Using tools like Eclipse, for example, they implement the various functionalities that outlined in the technical and functional specifications. This phase requires in-depth knowledge of the Java programming language and associated frameworks, taking into account best coding practices.
Tests
Testing is an essential part of a Java developer’s work and one that is often overlooked. They include writing and executing unit, functional and integration tests to ensure that the code works properly and meets requirements. Developers often use test frameworks like JUnit to automate this task.
Debugging
When a problem is detected – either during the integration testing or once the application has been deployed in production – the developer needs to diagnose and correct the bug. This requires problem-solving skills and a thorough understanding of code and how it works.
Maintenance
Once the application has been deployed, Java developers are often involved in maintenance activities. This can include fixing bugs, adding new features or optimising application performance. Maintenance is an ongoing part of the software life cycle.
Documentation
Documentation is an oft-overlooked but crucial activity, especially when adding, modifying or deleting new functions or data. The developer must document the code, deployment procedures and user guides to ensure that other developers can understand and work on the project in the future. Good documentation helps maintain project quality and consistency.
How do I become a Java developer?
Having a strong sense of logic is often a good prerequisite for becoming a developer, since you need to know how to write and read an algorithm (this applies to any language). You’ll need basic training in computer science, whether through a university degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field. The basics of programming, data structures, algorithms and software design principles are crucial, whatever the language used.
If you have a solid background in these, it’s easy to learn the Java language. You can do this on a self-taught basis using online resources, books or specialised courses. Online platforms (openclassrooms, MOOCs, bootcamps) offer Java courses for all levels.
It’s also very important to practice your skills through personal projects: contributing to open source projects (GitHub), completing online exercises (CodingGame for example) or doing an internship are all really good ways to develop practical skills.
Finally, you can complete a recognised certification to become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer: this can strengthen your CV and demonstrate proof of your skills to potential employers.
What qualities does a Java developer need?
To become a good Java developer, you need several qualities:
- Technical expertise: in-depth knowledge of Java and related frameworks is essential. This includes understanding object-oriented programming concepts, data structures and algorithms.
- Problem solving: Java developers need to be able to diagnose and solve complex problems efficiently.
- Adaptability: technology evolves at a rapid rate and developers have to be prepared to learn new skills and adapt to new tools and methods.
- Communication: the ability to communicate effectively with other team members, project managers and end-users is crucial to the success of a project.
- Attention to detail: writing clean, efficient code requires great attention to detail to avoid errors and ensure the code’s maintainability.
How much does a Java developer earn?
Salaries of Java developers will vary according to experience, location (big city or out-of-town) and company. In France, on average, an entry-level Java developer can expect an annual salary of between €35,000 and €50,000. With a few years of experience under their belt, the salary can increase significantly, reaching between €50,000 and €70,000. Experienced Java developers, or those who hold management or specialist positions, can earn in excess of €70,000 a year. In Switzerland, salaries are higher: a junior developer can be paid between CHF 70,000 and CHF 80,000, an experienced developer between CHF 90,000 and CHF 105,000, and senior developers upwards of CHF 120,000 .
Java developer: possible career paths
Java developers can access lots of opportunities for career advancement. With experience, they can progress to management roles or specialise in technical areas.
Technical specialisations
- Software architect: design and implement complex software architectures for large-scale systems.
- Java Expert: master the most advanced aspects of the Java language, frameworks and associated tools.
- DevOps Developer: automate application development, integration and deployment processes.
- Full-stack developer: acquire front-end and back-end development skills to create complete applications.
- Application Security Specialist: design and implement security measures to protect Java applications against cyber attacks.
Management and leadership:
- Team Leader: supervise and mentor a team of Java developers.
- Project Manager: manage end-to-end Java development projects.
- Technical manager: take the lead on a company’s technology strategy.
- Java Consultant: provide your skills and expertise to corporate customers.
Other areas:
- Data Scientist: use Java technologies to analyse and process mass quantities of data.
- Big Data Engineer: design and implement Big Data solutions to manage large volumes of data.
- Entrepreneur: create your own software development company.
- Trainer: share your Java knowledge and expertise through training.
Several factors can influence how a Java developer’s career changes:
- Experience and skills: the level of experience and technical skills acquired over the years are key factors in career development.
- Interests and motivation: it’s important to choose a career path that matches your personal interests and motivation.
- Ongoing training: keeping up to date with new technologies and market trends is crucial so that you can stand out from the crowd and gain access to more advanced opportunities.
- Professional network: developing a solid professional network can open doors and provide access to new opportunities.
What does the future hold for Java developers?
The future looks bright for Java developers, even if the field is constantly evolving. Java remains one of the most widely used languages for developing enterprise applications and embedded systems. Because it is used to develop Android applications, it guarantees its long-term relevance.
Java developers still need to keep up to date with new Java versions and Frameworks. The growing adoption of practices such as DevOps and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) is also influencing the work of developers, requiring them to master tools such as Docker, Kubernetes and Jenkins.
The profession is likely to evolve towards greater specialisations in areas such as Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity. Java developers who know how to adapt to these new trends will be the most sought-after and will have the best opportunities to advance their career. Java already plays an important role in AI and Big Data software development, thanks to Frameworks such as Deeplearning4j and Apache Hadoop.
In short, while technologies will continue to change and evolve, the demand for skilled Java developers remains strong: those people who continue to learn and adapt their skills will be well positioned to succeed in this dynamic and constantly changing field. Our experts are available to support you in your development projects. Find out more about our business.