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Hello guys, Another year is approaching and it's a good time to look back and retrospect what you achieved last year and what you could have done better.
This will help you to create your goals for 2024 if you haven't done so. As a programmer, your biggest challenge is to keep yourself up-to-date. Technology changes very fast and you will see a new version of your favorite programming language and framework coming to every year.
For Java developers, the last, couple of years has brought plentiful changes and posed a challenge with keeping up-to-date with new Java versions every 6 months, Spring 5, Spring Security 5, and Spring Boot 2, etc.
When I started last year, I thought Java 11 was new and before I could finish learning Java 11 completely, Java 13 and Java 14 were already out.
So, they came fast but came with a lot of interesting features like var with local variables, API enhancements, GC improvement, Thread Local handshake, and many more. I have documented them here and I am excited to use those in 2024.
The same goes for the Spring framework and Spring Security, I didn't know all the changes on Spring 6.0 and Spring Security 6.0, my project was still using Spring Security 3.1, and boom we now we have version 5.0 for both Spring and Spring security.
My learning speed has slowed down a little bit in the last couple of years and I haven't managed to keep myself up-to-date with the latest and greatest like I am yet to get comfortable with Git, JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React, latest changes on unit and integration testing space and a new version of popular framework e.g. Spring, Spring Security, and Spring Boot.
I managed to catch up with many of those last years, hence, 2024 will be all about consolidation and keeping myself up-to-date with things that matter most on the technology side, improving my toolset chain, and exploring the DevOps Landscape
What Java Programmers should learn in 2024
Here is my list of things a Java developer should learn in 2024 to become a better Java developer and go to the next level in their career:\
1. DevOps
This is one area where I saw a lot of traction last year as more and more companies are moving into DevOps and adopting continuous integration and deployment.
DevOps is very vast and you need to learn a lot of tools and principles that's what overwhelms many developers but you don't need to worry. I have shared a DevOps RoadMap which you can follow to learn and master DevOps at your speed.
This means if you are an experienced Java programmer with a passion for managing the environment, automation, and improving overall structure, you can become a DevOps Engineer.
If you are looking for some awesome resources then Jenkins, From Zero To Hero: Become a DevOps Jenkins Master* is a great course to start with, particularly for Java developers.
2. Git
Git and GitHub have been around for some time and while I have used Git in the past with Eclipse, but I am yet to become master of Git on the command line.
Why I haven't mastered Git so far? Simply because I didn't need it yet. I have occasionally downloaded projects from GitHub and run from Eclipse but I am still not so great with Git commands, particularly reverting changes and handling errors.
Since now most of the companies are migrating their projects from SVN, and CVS to Git, it's high time to learn and master Git. I have recently purchased the Git Complete: The definitive, step-by-step guide to Git from Udemy on their last 10$ sale and this would be the first item to complete in 2024.
If you are in the same boat and want to learn or improve your Git skill in 2024, do check out that course from Udemy, it's very handy.
3. New features of Java 9 to 17\
As I said, I am still learning Java 11 and many Java developers too. I will also spend some time learning new features of Java 9, Java 10, Java 17 in 2021 but for me, Java 17 is still a priority, because Java 17 is another LTS release.
The JDK 9 brings a lot of goodies in terms of modules, Jigsaw, Reactive Streams, Process API, HTTP2 client, JShell, and API improvements like collection factory methods and I am really looking forward to learning them at the earliest opportunity.
Similarly, JDK 10 brings var to give you a flavor of dynamic typing and some GC improvement.
In the last Udemy 10$ sale, I have purchased a host of courses and one of them is The Complete Java MasterClass, which is updated for Java 11 and I am looking forward to starting my Java 11 journey with that.
Btw, if you have yet to start with JDK 8 then here is my list of favorite Java 8 tutorials and courses which you can free of cost: 10 best tutorials to learn Java 8.
4. Spring Framework 5
The latest version of Spring Framework has some excellent new features like the reactive programming model on Spring 5, the adoption of recent Java features, some unit testing improvements, and as a Java developer, you should learn them.
Anyway, I have already started learning Spring 5.0 by followingSpring 5. 0: Beginner to Guru and will keep the momentum going in 2024. If you use Spring, probably it's the best time to learn Spring 5.0.
If you like books, you can also check out this list of advanced Spring Books for Java developers from Manning and Packt Publications.
5.Unit testing
Another area which I want to improve in the coming year. There are a lot of new frameworks and tools available for Java programmers to unit test and integration test their application like Mockito and PowerMock for mocking objects, Robot Framework, and Cucumber for automated integration test and of course the new and shining JUnit 5 library.
There is plenty of stuff to learn on this front. If you can invest some time upgrading your unit testing skills, not only your coding skills will improve but also you will become a more professional developer, which every company looks for. To start with, you can check out JUnit and Mockito Crash Coursefrom Udemy.
6. RESTful Web Service
One more thing a Java developer should learn in 2024 is the knowledge about writing REST API and implementing secure and scalable RESTful Web Service in Java using Spring.
This is one skill that is highly desirable in the Java world and there are not many people who know both Java and REST well.
If you are also in the same boat and want to learn how to develop RESTful Web Service using Spring, The REST of Spring MasterClass from Eugen Paraschiv is a good starting point.
7. Spring Security 6.0
This is another major framework from Spring Eco-System. The 5th version of the popular security framework has several bug fixes and a major OAuth 2 module, which you just can't miss.
This should be another priority Item for any Java developer in 2024 along with Spring 5.0 framework stuff.
Thankfully Eugen has updated his best-selling course Learn with Spring Security to include 5.0 features and added a separate module for OAuth 2.0., probably the best material to learn Spring Security 5.0 at this moment.
8. Spring Boot 3\
The Spring Boot framework is one of the most essential frameworks for Java developers. If you get some time after all these goals this year then I will spend some time learning Spring Boot 3.
If you also want to learn Spring Boot 3, you can check out this free Spring Boot course from Udemy for a quick start.
If you need more choices then you can also check this list of top Spring boot courses for Java developers to learn in 2024.
9. Angular 2+ or React.js
These two JavaScript frameworks have completely changed how you develop web applications.
As a Java developer, I have used Servlet, JSP, and jQuery on the client-side but haven't master Angular or React.
In 2024, one of my goals is to learn Angular in-depth and I will be starting my journey with Udemy's Angular - The Complete Guide. If you are in the same boat then you can also take a look at that course, it's very handy.
10. Android\
If you don't know how to write Android Apps in 2024 then you are lacking something. Mobile and Smartphones are one of the best platforms to reach a large number of people and Android platform is probably the most popular platform to write mobile applications.
Even though I know Android basics, I have yet to publish any Android apps, maybe 2024 will change that. If you want to learn Android in 2024, you can check The Complete Android N Developer Course, one of the better course to learn Android.
If you need more choices then I have also shortlisted some Android online courses to refresh my knowledge and get to the next level. If you are also in the same boat then you may find them useful as well.
11. Apache Spark and Kafka\
One more thing I want to keep exploring in-depth in 2024 is the Big Data space, particularly Apache Spark and Apache Kafka framework.
I am not sure if I will get time to look at other Big data technologies but it's seriously good stuff and along with DevOps and Machine Learning, Big Data is probably the hottest technology at this moment.
If you also want to learn Big data in 2024, you can check The Ultimate Hands-On Hadoop --- Tame your Big Data! course.
If you need more choices you can also check my list of shortlisted courses to learn Apache Spark for Java developers from Udemy and Pluralsight.
That's all about what a Java Programmer should learn in 2024 to become a better Developer. As I have said, Technology changes at a rapid speed and the biggest challenge for programmers is to keep themselves up-to-date.
Apart from this list, there are plenty of other stuff which you can look up in the new year like learning a new programming language like Kotlin or Golang but for me, I will be more than happy if I can achieve these goals in 2024.
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All the best.
