When you hear about Java, the first thing that most probably crops up in your mind is that it's the oldest programming language.
But is it still popular today? Most importantly, is it a good fit for your software development solutions?
Let's take a look at the 5 new trends in Java that may inspire you to build your next big product.
Table of contents
Why Is Java Still Popular Today?
With the constant updates, Java can keep up with the trends in technology and software development and can support many languages across its platform. It has enabled Java to become one of the most used programming languages in disruptive technologies like the IoT and AI.
Java also enables you to build software on modern application pillars which are secure, scalable, and robust.
As a result, everything from scientific computers to gaming consoles will continue relying on its versatility.
Additionally, through its reactive function, it provides developers with exceptional support for advanced streaming applications.
Java Trends to Watch in 2021
In 2021, experts are confident that Java will remain the most preferred programming language in the future. Due to the evolving technological changes, there will be a continuous demand for Java developer skills in the years to come.
Now bear with me as we go through the top 5 Java trends for 2021.
Let's begin!
Java Releases
Even before the release of Java SE 15, Java 8 was the most popular version among developers. Many tech experts devoted themselves to Java 8 due to the available public updates for private and commercial use.
The long-term support version was also a critical factor, although there were no more commercial and public use updates as of December 2020.
Today, many serious production applications are moving to Java 11.
However, since there are constant upgrades in Java trending versions, it's an opportunity to fill your Java knowledge. The SE 15 is a non-long term version with various enhancements, including:
- Hidden classes – The hidden classes are usually dynamically generated at runtime and can't be accessible by name. Additionally, you cannot directly link them to the byte code of other classes.
- Records – You can use them to declare a class, and it's added automatically: getters, hashCode, equals methods, toStrings, and constructor.
You also need to watch out for JDK 16, released on 16th March 2021, making it the latest Java trend on the SE platform. It has 17 new enhancements grouped into futureproofing your work, JVM improvements, incubator and preview features, improving productivity, and new tools and libraries category.
Spring
As a CTO, you are most likely familiar with the Spring framework in Java. You can use it in diverse ways, from online shopping and streaming platforms to banking and insurance platforms. It's ideal for creating a backend for Java applications to the Java Enterprise Edition platform.
It's also an excellent solution when building an organization's applications in Java. It can include cloud applications, microservices, complex data processing systems, or responsive, safe, and fast web applications.
You should expect the popularity of Spring to be even stronger throughout 2021, owing to it being lightweight and its ease of implementation.
In other words, if you're looking for a Java developer for hire, make sure to look for someone with good coding skills in Spring Boot or Spring MVC.
Big Data
With the growth in information and computing power, more organizations have turned their attention to big data calculations.
Java is the most preferred language in big data projects due to various open-source tools such as Apache Hadoop, JFreechart, Deeplearning4j, and Apache Mahout – all of which help you attain more efficiency.
You'll also find Xplenty, a data integration service that assists in processing, transforming, and moving data faster. This way, it minimizes set-up time to allow companies to unlock data quickly.
With extensive data amounts, you can also rely on Cassandra. It's a data management tool that handles your large data that are across multiple servers. One great advantage of this tool is that it will continue functioning even when one server fails.
Integration Testing
When writing codes, testing is an essential procedure. It helps you to reduce misprints or errors while also proving that you have a viable code.
This way, you save time that you would have used in rewriting or searching for mistakes.
However, when building a complex app in Java, you would have to spend a considerable amount of time creating tests manually.
For this reason, developers can now use frameworks, test libraries, and tools such as Hamcrest, Robot Framework, Cucumber, JUnit, REST-Assured, Mockito, Selenium, and more.
Serverless Architecture
The move to serverless architecture is another trend expected to be more prevalent in 2021. It's a cloud service model that enables you to focus solely on coding instead of infrastructure.
When using serverless architecture, you don't have to update the operating systems, scaling the application, setting up machines, or network configuration. You will also enjoy greater flexibility and a reduction in operating costs leading to faster value delivery.
Key Takeaway
Keeping a close eye on the latest trends in Java can come in handy when hiring developers. For one, you'll get to tailor your solutions accordingly and build a competitive product that's on par with the competition.
With all the new developments happening in Java, it's safe to say that the programming language is going to remain an important player in the technology world – at least in 2021.
So, if you're thinking about developing a robust and effective solution for your business, then Java can be a great pick.
