Are Java Developers in Demand in 2024?

So, if you are considering writing a program in Java and looking for software development outsourcing or thinking about learning a programming language, this information about predictions for 2023 will undoubtedly be helpful for you.

What are the pros and cons of Java?

Write once, run anywhere is a slogan that dates back to 1995.

Sun Microsystems created it to illustrate Java’s cross-platform advantages, an object-oriented, class-based programming language. Today, nearly 30 years after the language was created, many applications and websites will not run unless Java is installed. Java is fast, secure, and reliable.

As a result, it is used in many applications – from banking technology, big data, information technology, retail and stock markets to the scientific community. We might even venture to say that Java is everywhere.

Source: Stack Overflow

According to Statista, Java is currently the fifth most used programming language globally. That says a lot.

What are the main advantages of Java?

• easy to learn ‒ Java was designed for ease of use and is therefore appreciated for its speed of learning, coding, compiling or debugging;
• object-oriented ‒ it allows to create modular programs and reusable code;
• platform-independent ‒ Java guarantees the ability to run the same program on many different systems;
• the versatility of use ‒ Java is a general-purpose programming language that can be used to develop Android applications, help create enterprise software, to be used to analyze data science projects, facilitate the programming of hardware devices in Java, to be used in server-side technologies such as Apache, JBoss, GlassFish, etc.;
• a large number of ready-made libraries and platform security;
• possibility to use Java IDE – an integrated development environment that helps you build your application by combining various development tools into one universal system;
• demand for developers ‒ the popularity of Java means that there is no shortage of job opportunities on the market. So, anyone who decides to learn this programming language can count on stable employment.
• high-performance – software designed in Java is able to process massive amounts of data, which makes it fast and reliable.

The disadvantages of Java include:

• in terms of speed, Java is slightly slower than languages such us C/C++, but in general it is almost always in the Top 3,
• necessary to have the JVM installed to run. However, it is worth noting that there have been recent trends on how to run Java without the JVM, e.g. using GraalVM.

[Read also: Guide to Java Profilers: Which Performance Monitoring Tool Is the Best?]

Are Java developers in high demand?

Programmer is one of the professions without which it is impossible to imagine the functioning of the modern world. No wonder then that the interest is so huge.

High demand in the labor market, vast development opportunities, the ability to work remotely, and high salaries make more and more people try their hand in the programming world.

But, is there still a demand for Java programmers? Definitely yes!

Learn how to build a recommendation engine based on machine learning using Java.

Java vs. other programming languages

Stackoverflow’s 2021 report shows that Java still reigns supreme among programming languages.

As many as 64.96% of respondents indicated this programming language as the most used. This is the ninth year in a row. The versatility of using this programming language means that there is still a high demand for Java programmers, and those with diverse skills ‒ both juniors and seniors.

There is no indication that this trend is about to change, which is also confirmed by Java experts.

says Arkadiusz Drysch, CTO at Stratoflow, expert in Java.

Considering additionally the fact that Java is a vital development element in many IoT, AI, big data and blockchain projects, we can confidently say that Java is helping to drive IT innovation now and will in the years to come as well.

Other programming languages are, of course, worth knowing too, but Java really gives you many possibilities. Knowing this language, a programming career is assured.

Is Java developer a good career in 2023?

After nearly 30 years on the market, Java is doing very well. It is worth knowing that over 90% of companies on the Fortune 500 list use this programming language. The TIOBE index, in turn, defines Java as the most popular programming language in the world.

Therefore, choosing a career path as a Java programmer in 2023 is most reasonable.

Java is evolving and thus easily keeps up with technological innovations and market trends. The widespread use of this programming language, including web and mobile application development and modern technologies such as big data, IoT (Internet of Things), blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI), makes it all the more worth looking for employment as a Java developer in 2023.

Data released by Evans Data Corporation shows that the global developer population is now at 26.9 million. This includes almost 8 million Java developers.

Such a significant availability of specialists makes companies eager to choose Java for their custom software development projects, as they have little trouble finding well-qualified and, at the same time, low-cost Java developers.

[Get to know us! Read: StratoStory: How to Switch Career to Business Analyst – Interview with Michalina.]

What type of developers are most in-demand in 2023?

More and more often, we hear that the programmer is the future profession. Due to the rapidly growing new technologies sector, this profession attracts more people than ever. This situation is undoubtedly influenced by the prospects of participating in exciting and innovative projects and earning opportunities.

It might seem that knowing a programming language is the primary skill that a programmer needs in their job. The ability to perform specific tasks is obviously essential, but will it convince an employer to offer you a permanent position with their company?

In fact, there is a whole range of qualities that you should possess or that it pays to work on to increase your chances of success in the IT industry.

Java developer’s skills include:

• communicativeness,
• the ability to work in a team,
• openness to constructive criticism,
• willingness to learn throughout life,
• meticulousness and conscientiousness,
• ability to think analytically,
• quick problem-solving,
• self-denial to deepen knowledge and complete assigned tasks,
• forward-thinking.

Keep in mind that most of the qualities of a good programmer listed above can be worked on. In fact, not many people are born with all of these traits.

You can have predispositions to do specific jobs, but only with effort and much hard work will you succeed.

Therefore, you should not lose either the desire or enthusiasm for the idea that the lack of the above will cause failure in the labor market and affect your career.

All these traits are also valued at Stratoflow ‒ in our employees and candidates for the Java developer position.

As a relatively small company, but with great potential and enthusiasm to work and improve our skills, we emphasize continuous development. Our dedicated Java teams create information systems in Java with high-performance and scalability in our daily work.

We appreciate both the communication skills of our employees, thanks to which we can implement international projects, as well as their technical skills and programming skills.

The working environment in Stratoflow has a family atmosphere with respect to work-life balance principles. For this reason, the team is tight-knit and we feel so comfortable here that turnover rate in our company is extremely low by current market standards.

We identify with values: care for the quality of implemented projects, teamwork, transparency, and responsibility. We want the solutions we create to satisfy both the client and our engineering spirit. Java certainly helps us in this.

Have an idea for an app and looking for an IT team? All you need to know about IT outsourcing in Poland you will find here: Software Development in Poland: a Guide to IT Outsourcing.

What is the future of Java developers in software development?

Java continues to be at the forefront of the most trending computer language.

This popularity coupled with an extensive and mature ecosystem are factors that will surely keep this status quo going over the next few years.

On the example of our case studies, you can see how exciting projects using Java can be realized for Travel or e-commerce industries ‒ Boosting Flight Schedule Calculation Performance or Integration between e-commerce platform and a fabric label printing system.

Read our case study: Travel search engine

Java is one of the most popular programming languages used on over 3 billion devices. It is unlikely to cease to exist in a few years. Java is a programming language used in desktop, mobile and web applications.

Additionally, it has applications in the cloud and AI sectors, so the possibilities are comprehensive and future-proof. Therefore, the future of Java programmers is shaping up very positively, giving them real chances for stable and well-paid employment.

Read also: How to Build Low Latency Java Applications

Skills required for Java Developers

Java technologies have evolved significantly over the past few years. The same as our company. The rebranding story of our software development company shows that sometimes changes are necessary to take things a step further. It is the same with programming languages.

For Java developers, this means continuous education. Learning new skills in Java programming takes time and practice. Individual predispositions are also important.

In the case of a Java developer, what counts most is an interest in new technologies, a passion for problem-solving, the ability to think analytically and to calculate facts coolly, as well as creativity and patience.

Also, crucial are interpersonal skills because the work of a Java programmer is not just writing source code. Requirements gathering, consultation and teamwork are equally important.

What Java programmers should learn in 2023?

1.    Spring framework

Among the things worth learning in 2023 by Java developers, for example, is the Spring framework. It is a relatively easy-to-use Java framework that can be applied to various projects.

Moreover, its familiarity enables Java programmers to create reliable and scalable applications, which is vital for employers – such a skill will certainly be appreciated.

2.    Cloud services

Cloud technology is also worth mentioning. Many companies and organizations are already spending a significant part of their budget on cloud services. Therefore, it is recommended in 2023 that Java developers familiarize themselves with cloud computing and preferred cloud platforms, such as AWS, GCP or Azure.

Multi-Tenant Architecture is also a must-have because it provides developers and system administrators with more efficient use of available computing resources.

3.    Microservices

Another important topic for Java developers for 2023 is microservices – a collection of small applications implemented in the Java programming language, which work together to implement a more comprehensive solution.

Microservices are gaining popularity and are increasingly used by software developers, even on large projects. So, it is worth taking a closer look at this topic.

Hire a Java Developer – meet team Stratoflow

Skilled Java programmers are still valued employees in the labor market. In 2023, they can count on exciting job offers and, thanks to the constant development of Java, also on acquiring new skills.

At Stratoflow, we are also looking for talented Java programmers – if this programming language is your strong point – apply to us! You’ll support our team in building robust and scalable software for our customers. Also, if you want to develop a project in Java or need a Java developer career advice – contact us! Outsourcing software development in latest Java technologies is our specialty.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog post!