Java programming skills are in top demand in the IT sector, and it is the most-requested skill from tech hiring managers, according to Dice.com, an IT job site which reports there are more than 16,000 Java positions open on any given day
For new college graduate programmers, it offers an enticing career path given the high demand typically spurs high pay and job stability.
As a technology Java is just as vibrant, with the Java's Community Process Executive Committee announcing that a transition to a module-based Java is imminent and due to arrive in Java 9.
To help those who want to get immersed in the nearly two-decade old programming language, either as a hobbyist or Java expert, Tech Times reached out to Eduardo Pelegri-Llopart, VP of technology at Progress Software, for a few tips and advice.
Tip #1: Just Do It
The best first move is to just jump in and get your feet wet, says Pelegri-Llopart. He advises those new to Java to get a feel for the language, a first taste, before formally starting coursework and spending any money on classes. New users, he says, should get a good glimpse of Java and where it fits into IT, and the overall technology sector, before making a formal commitment to the language.
"[It's the] same way travelers start with bonjour and au revoir," explains Pelegri-Llopart. "This should go along with either a formal course or using tutorials. Oracle, among others, has resources that can get you started and give you an overview of Java."
Tip #2: Take the Network Route
Once you're a bit familiar with Java, Pelegri-Llopart recommends spending time working with the language on a platform-as-a-service. With Java moving to modular form and programming in the cloud growing, new Java programmers are best served by learning the language over networks and beyond Java application servers.
"The days of pure 'hand coding' are numbered and the ability to work with and within more sophisticated environments will be increasingly valued," says the VP of technology. "Using an open source repository and learning how it's put together can also be a good move on your way to Java proficiency."
Tip #3: Embrace Nontraditional Learning Environments
Java students, like any student, should realize that learning a language in a classroom won't work for everyone and may not be the best educational approach, says Pelegri-Llopart. Some students, he notes, can excel in learning Java without a textbook.
"Everyone learns in a different way but textbooks and teachers aren't usually all that adaptable," Pelegri-Llopart notes. "So, if those methods don't work, ask for help from others and don't be afraid to try some other approaches to learning."
Tip #4: Take Advantage of Online Resources
Wrapping up his list of tip for those interested in learning Java, we point to the collection of e-learning sites and coursework supplements Pelegri-Llolpart recommends.
For high schoolers, there's Greenfoot and Alice. For college students, there's BlueJ. For those looking for full online courses, there is Princeton's Coursera and San Jose State's Java course found on Udacity. Intermediate Java programmers can find tutorials in NetBeans.
