Why Java Remains a Top Choice for Developers in 2024

Java is one of the world's most well-known and widely used programming languages. Since its creation in 1995, it has maintained its popularity and significance despite the rapid development of technology and the emergence of new programming languages. Java is used to develop many mobile applications for large enterprise systems.

Modern Capabilities of Java

With each update, Java becomes more powerful and convenient for developers. New versions of the language offer improved features, enhanced performance, and security. Java 17, for example, includes many changes and improvements compared to older versions, making it a preferred choice for modern projects.

public class Test {

	public static void main(String[] args){
		System.out.println("Hello, World!");	
	}
}

Why is Java Still Popular?

#1 A Vast Number of Applications and Services

Java is used to develop and maintain many applications and services. This makes it an excellent choice for entering complex projects, as developers can easily find examples, libraries, and ready-made solutions for their tasks.

We won’t find a big project from B2B to B2C without Java language.

#2 A Huge Community

Java has one of the largest developer communities in the world. This means that any question can be answered, and numerous resources, from forums to training courses, can help solve any problem.

Just check these stats:

#3 Issues Solved with Spring and Micronaut

The Spring Framework and Micronaut provide powerful tools and solutions for application development. These frameworks have already solved most typical problems and tasks, allowing developers to focus on business logic rather than infrastructure.

In the world of high-load services, using Kafka as a message broker is crucial. This results in significant work that needs to be done around it, but I prefer to avoid this. Fortunately, an excellent Kafka library easily integrates into a project and even supports retry mechanisms. Why reinvent the wheel when there's a solution that has been working for decades in large companies?

If I want to extend the logic for Dead Letter Queues (DLQ), I can do this directly in my code using a new library. I need to write one class to solve this problem.

The same goes for the circuit breaker pattern. If my tech stack is entirely based on Java, I can utilise all these out-of-the-box advantages simply by adding annotations in the code.

Kafka also offers many tools to work with Kafka Streams right out of the box. Integrating the library doesn’t require Spring, and everything will work perfectly. You only need to define a few classes and implement the methods; your code is ready!

And if that's not enough, look at Apache Camel—a tried and true friend of all enterprises. This powerful tool can transform your data from anything to anything, including reading from queues and saving everything to CSV if needed.

Also, with security. I don’t need to create a new lib for the oauth2 specification; I just need to add it as a dependency to my project and set some configs.

spring:
  security:
    oauth2:
      client:
        registration:   1
          google:   2
            client-id: google-client-id
            client-secret: google-client-secret

source: https://docs.spring.io/spring-security/site/docs/5.2.12.RELEASE/reference/html/oauth2.html

#4 High-Load Solutions

When it comes to high-load systems, you will still encounter Java-based solutions, sometimes with additional frameworks or even without them, especially in backend environments where rapid data processing is crucial. This is particularly evident in streaming applications.

When it comes to high-load systems, Java remains a top choice due to several key advantages:

Performance: Java's Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler optimizes code execution on the fly, providing high performance crucial for processing large volumes of data quickly. Its efficient memory management with garbage collection ensures smooth operation even under heavy loads.

Scalability: Java's robust architecture and multithreading capabilities allow it to scale seamlessly. It can handle increasing loads by efficiently utilizing system resources, making it ideal for high-load applications.

#5 Financial Technologies

Banking systems and services almost always incorporate Java as their primary technology stack, offering significant advantages when looking for new projects or companies. Here’s why Java is so beneficial in this context:

1. Reliability and Stability: Java is known for its robustness and stability, crucial for banking systems where reliability is paramount. The language's mature ecosystem ensures that applications run smoothly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and errors.

   
   

2. Security: Banking applications handle sensitive financial data, and Java's robust security features make it an ideal choice. Java provides built-in security mechanisms such as bytecode verification, secure class loading, and comprehensive API security, which help protect against common vulnerabilities.

   
   

3. Scalability: Banks often deal with many transactions and data processing tasks. Java's architecture supports scalability, allowing systems to handle increased loads seamlessly. Its efficient use of multithreading and memory management ensures optimal performance even under heavy usage.

   
   

4. Interoperability: Banking systems often must integrate with various other systems and technologies. Java's platform independence and compatibility with numerous other technologies make it adaptable for integrating different services and platforms.

   
   

5. Large Talent Pool: Java's popularity means a large pool of skilled developers is available. This makes it easier for banks to find qualified professionals to maintain and enhance their systems, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation.

   
   

6. Mature Ecosystem and Libraries: Java's extensive ecosystem includes numerous libraries and frameworks specifically designed for enterprise applications. Tools like Spring, Hibernate, and Apache Kafka streamline development processes and enhance the functionality of banking applications.

   
   

7. Community and Support: Java has a large, active community that provides continuous support, updates, and innovations. This community-driven development ensures that Java stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology and security, which is crucial for the ever-evolving banking sector.

#6 Powerful Projects

Java is used to create influential projects such as Hazelcast, Apache Kafka, and Kafka Connectors. These tools provide essential data processing, caching, and integration functions, making Java even more attractive to developers. Let’s explore these technologies in detail:

Hazelcast:

• In-Memory Data Grid: Hazelcast is an in-memory data grid that provides distributed data structures, distributed caching, and high-speed data processing capabilities. It allows applications to access data quickly by storing it in memory across a cluster of machines.
• Scalability and Performance: Hazelcast is designed to scale horizontally, meaning it can handle increasing loads by adding more nodes to the cluster. This scalability is essential for applications requiring real-time data processing and low-latency responses.

Use Cases: Hazelcast's common use cases include session clustering, distributed caching, and real-time analytics. It is widely used in financial services, e-commerce, and telecommunications.

Kafka Connectors:

• Integration Framework: Kafka Connectors provide a robust framework for streamlining data between Kafka and other systems. They simplify the integration of data sources and sinks with Kafka, enabling seamless data flow across heterogeneous systems.
• Extensibility: Kafka Connectors are highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom connectors for their specific needs. This flexibility is crucial for integrating with proprietary systems or unconventional data sources.
• Use Cases: Kafka Connectors connect databases, key-value stores, search indexes, and file systems with Kafka. They facilitate ETL processes, data synchronisation, and real-time analytics, enhancing the overall data ecosystem.

#7 Transition to Scala and Big Data

Java knowledge is a solid foundation for transitioning to other languages and technologies within the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) ecosystem, such as Scala and various Big Data tools. This opens up abundant career growth opportunities and further enhances Java's value for big data and distributed systems developers.

Just check here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_JVM_languages

Here's why Java serves as an excellent stepping stone to other JVM-based technologies:

1. Similar Syntax and Concepts: Languages like Scala, Kotlin, and Groovy, which run on the JVM, share many similarities with Java in terms of syntax and core programming concepts. Developers proficient in Java can quickly grasp these languages and build applications without a steep learning curve.

   
   

2. Functional Programming Paradigm: Scala, in particular, introduces functional programming concepts alongside object-oriented programming, making it easier for Java developers to transition to functional programming paradigms. This expansion of programming paradigms broadens developers' skill sets and enables them to tackle a broader range of projects.

   
   

3. Big Data and Distributed Systems Tools: Many popular Big Data tools, such as Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, and Apache Flink, are written in Java or are compatible with Java APIs. Java developers can leverage their existing skills to work with these tools seamlessly, accelerating the development of data processing pipelines and distributed applications.

   
   

4. Integration with Enterprise Technologies: Java's dominance in enterprise software development ensures its integration with various enterprise technologies, such as application servers, databases, and middleware. Knowledge of Java simplifies the integration of Big Data solutions with existing enterprise systems, streamlining development workflows and enhancing interoperability.

   
   

5. Community and Resources: Java's vast community and extensive documentation provide ample resources for developers exploring new technologies within the JVM ecosystem. Online forums, tutorials, and open-source projects contribute to a rich learning environment, supporting developers as they expand their skill sets beyond Java.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Java is one of the world's most enduring and influential programming languages. It continuously evolves to meet the demands of modern software development. Its widespread adoption in diverse domains, from enterprise systems to high-load services, underscores its versatility and resilience.

As Java continues to evolve with each new version, it remains at the forefront of innovation, offering developers enhanced features, improved performance, and strengthened security. Recent releases like Java 22 showcase the language's ongoing commitment to excellence, making it a preferred choice for building robust and scalable applications in today's dynamic digital landscape.

The popularity of Java extends beyond its language features to encompass its vast ecosystem of frameworks, libraries, and tools. From Spring and Micronaut for application development to Apache Kafka and Hazelcast for data processing and integration, Java provides developers a rich toolkit for tackling complex challenges across various domains.

Moreover, Java's thriving community fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing. Developers can tap into a wealth of resources, including forums, tutorials, and open-source projects, to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in software development.

For those embarking on their journey with Java, I extend my best wishes for success in mastering this powerful language. May your exploration of Java lead to new opportunities, rewarding experiences, and impactful contributions to the ever-evolving world of technology. Happy coding!