What Does a Java Developer Do?

What exactly is a Java Developer and what does the position look like?

There are many different types of jobs within IT and as a Developer you can go in many different directions. For example, you can work as a Software Developer, but you can also specialize and choose a position as a Java Developer. What exactly do you do in this position? You can read that here!

What is Java?

Java is a programming language that allows you to design software for multiple platforms. Java can be used in multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Linux and macOS. It works according to the WORA principle: write once, run anywhere. So you only have to write your program once and then you can convert it to multiple systems.

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) compiles the code into a so-called bytecode. This can be run on any system and hardware, without significantly changing the Java runtime. This is a big advantage of Java, because it is not platform specific. It is therefore one of the most widely used programming languages ​​and is used all over the world.

What is a Java Developer?

A Java Developer - also called a Java Engineer or Java programmer - is a developer who specializes in developing software, websites and applications in Java . As a developer in this position, you only use the Java programming language and use it to develop various systems.

What does a Java Developer do?

A Java Developer is responsible for developing software, websites and applications in Java. He or she is involved in the entire process: from development and testing to final implementation. But even after implementation, the developer remains involved by identifying and solving problems within the developed systems.

In this position you often work together with a team of developers to share all knowledge with each other. Only by working well together can you often achieve the best performance.

The tasks and responsibilities differ per organization and depend on how much experience you have. But in general you spend your time on:

• Analyzing the needs of the users
• Writing and implementing code
• Debugging and fixing bugs
• Performing different types of tests
• Planning Java projects
• Preparing updates
• Monitor security and performance
• Advising team members on Java projects
• Prepare documentation for end users to work in the system
• Collaborate with IT suppliers

What do you need to be able to do in this position?

As a Java Developer, it is important that you can write code from scratch for software, websites and applications. So you literally have to be able to read and write Java (perhaps even dream), so that you can properly perform all the tasks and responsibilities associated with this position. For example, you need to know:

• What is the difference between Java Card, Java SE, Java ME and Java EE
• How to use Java frameworks such as the Spring framework or the Hibernate framework
• How to use SQL when building databases. And preferably you are also familiar with Oracle, Microsoft SQL and MySQL.
• You know different types of testing, such as functionality testing, static code testing, unit testing and performance testing.

In addition, it is important that you have good project management skills to be able to complete projects properly. You know how to build projects, can work Agile and you have good oral and written communication skills.