Become an Outstanding Java Developer

If you are a Java developer passionate about technology, you can follow these ten steps to becoming an exceptional Java developer.

Have a solid understanding and foundation in OO principles

Solid knowledge of object-oriented programming is required for a Java developer. Without a solid basis in OOPS, it is impossible to appreciate the elegance of an object-oriented programming language like Java.

  • Even if you use an OOP language and understand OOPS well, you can still code procedurally. Knowing the definitions of OO principles doesn't help much.
  • When developing an OO solution, you can use those concepts. Consequently, one must be well versed in object modeling, inheritance, polymorphism, design patterns, and more.

Understand the fundamental APIs

It doesn't matter how strong your theoretical understanding is if you don't understand the language constructs and underlying APIs. 

  • Java requires extensive familiarity with core APIs such as java. lang.*, I/O, exceptions, collections, generics, threads, JDBC, and more.
  • When developing online applications, regardless of the framework you use, it is very important and necessary that you understand concepts like servlets and JSPs.

 

Continue coding Practice 

Things seem simpler when discussed hypothetically. In theory, we can easily provide a solution to a problem. However, once we start implementing our strategy, we can see the scope of the problem. While coding, you will learn about language constraints and design best practices. To continue with the code.

Join discussion boards

We are not on our own. Many people are working on the same technology as us. 

Although making a small hypothesis in a framework does not present real obstacles, when you start using it in real projects, you will encounter strange problems that have no solution in their official documentation.

  • The biggest and first thing to do when starting to work on new technology is to subscribe to relevant technology forums. 
  • Whatever problem you're facing, someone else in the world has probably encountered it and solved it. 
  • It would be great if you could answer questions that other forum users ask.

Read and respond to blogs

As I said before, you are not alone. Thousands of passionate techies blog their thoughts on technology all over the world. Other bloggers and developers can give you valuable perspectives on the same technology.

  • Some may regard specific framework elements to be extremely beneficial, while others may think the same features are foolish and meaningless, each with his reasons for feeling that way. 
  • As a result, you may see both the good and the bad from other developers who have used those technologies.
  • Another method to benefit from reading other blogs is to answer to/comment on posts with your thoughts and questions.

Examine the source code of open-source frameworks

A good developer will become familiar with frameworks. However, if you want to be an exceptional developer, you should examine the source code of several effective, popular frameworks, where you may see the framework's internal functioning mechanism as well as best practices. It will be quite beneficial when employing frameworks more effectively.

 

Be aware of developing technological developments

In terms of open source software development trends, they are exploding. By the time you have a good understanding of how to use a particular framework, there is a risk that it will become obsolete when a new framework with a superset of features enters the picture.

Then, in a single-line system, the problem you're trying to solve in your current build can be easily solved by the new build. So keep track of what comes in and out of the frame.

Keep frequently used code snippets and utilities on hand

You may need to write/copy-paste the same piece of code/configuration multiple times throughout time. 

  • Keeping configuration snippets like log4.properties, JDBC configuration, and so on, as well as utilities like StringUtils, ReflectionUtils, and DBUtils will be more useful.
  • I realize that doesn't make you a better developer. 
  • If a co-developer asks you to help retrieve a list of property values ​​from a collection of objects, let's say you use your ReflectionUtil to provide the solution in minutes: it will set you apart.

Understand various development approaches

Understand various techniques like Agile, SCRUM, XP, and Waterfall. Nowadays, the customer decides the development technique. Some customers prefer Agile, while others prefer the Waterfall paradigm. As a result, knowledge of multiple approaches can be really useful.

Write down or write about your technological thoughts

On the job, you may learn new and better ways to accomplish things, as well as best practices, architectural concepts, and so on. 

  • Continue to write down your views, blog about them, and/or share them with the community. 
  • Assume you addressed a strange problem that happened while performing a simple POC and blogged about it. 
  • Perhaps other developers around the world are experiencing the same problem with a production-deployed application. 
  • Consider how useful the solution is to that developer. So, write your thoughts; they might come in useful for others or you one day!