5 Reasons to Learn Java Programming

If you ask 100 developers what the best programming language is, Java is sure to come up. 

While it’s not as new and exciting as other languages like Python, Java is used by over 9.6 million developers, and for good reason. Java is fairly easy to learn and used in many mobile and desktop applications. There’s also plenty of Java tools that make it easy for developers and beginners to use. 

If you’re considering a career in computer science, or are looking to build on your programming skills, learning Java is generally beneficial. If you still aren’t convinced, read on to learn more about the value of investing in learning Java. 

1. Java Has Plenty of Job Opportunities 

As one of the most mature and popular programming languages in the world, Java has a large legacy code base, or a big collection of source code. Java is also central in creating Android applications. Additionally, enterprises across all sectors use Java, including major tech organizations like Facebook, Google, and Netflix.

2. There’s Great Tool Support and Frameworks

Software development Java tools are used to optimize the performance of Java programs. There are a plethora of free tools despite the fact that Java is commercial and owned by Oracle. A few of the most common tools are integrated development environments (IDEs) like Eclipse and IntelliJIDEA, which are meant to document and debug your code.

Additionally, Java has many frameworks, or premade useable code that are often used as templates for desktop and mobile applications. Developers use these frameworks instead of creating custom code from scratch. 

3. It’s an Object-Oriented Programming Language

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming (OOP) language. Object-oriented programming languages are used by programmers to structure classes, which are used to create objects (bits of data and code). This is what makes it different from functional programming languages such as Python, which cannot store data in objects. 

Java can also run on any device with Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which contains a compiler used to create byte code and is available on many operating systems. 

4. You Learn the Fundamentals 

Many consider Java more difficult to learn than other beginner-friendly languages like Python.

“In my mind, there is no comparison in terms of online documentation, user community, ease-of-learning, and general capabilities of Python,” said Dr. Clayton Miller, assistant professor for the School of Design and Environment’s Department of Building at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

However, if you want to truly understand core java concepts like algorithms and arrays or want to be able to switch to other languages like C or C++, mastering java code is a better choice. 

5. It’s Inexpensive to Learn

You do not need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science to learn Java syntax. According to a StackOverflow survey, only 9.1% of professional developers consider formal education critically important to become a developer.

And because the language has been around for over three decades, there are many free Java tutorials, online classes, and community resources available. 

Take Java Classes on edX

There are virtually no downsides to learning Java online. Explore edX computer science and Java programs to develop your Java programming and web development skills.