The true essence of success lies in its essence, how much you evolve for the better, and this formula works irrespective of any field you are working in. The key is to keep up with the ongoing trends, and this formula works wonders for software development as well. There is no denying the fact that Java has been one of the leading programming languages since its inception. It’s been a while, more than two decades. Despite the tech being used enormously for the past quarter of a century, it will be surprising for you to know that new Java development trends keep emerging day in and day out.
If you take a close look at the maximum software development projects being conducted across the globe, you will find that Java remains the powerhouse with its claws fully intact. How, you must be wondering? Well, you can do wonders by using Java technology, such as:
- It is possible to build cloud-native applications
- It is possible to integrate AI-based solutions
- Nothing can stop one from driving IoT innovations
- Java has the potential to power scalable microservices
And I must say, Java being platform independent, user-friendly, easy to use and get started with, robust security, these are the key reasons for the increasing popularity of Java tech. I am sure you will come across several posts that emphasise how Java technology has assisted in creating cutting-edge enhancements, the perks of using the technology and all.
As the name implies, the following post focuses on the top Java trends to take into account.
Time to Focus on the Latest Trends in Java Technology
DevOps
One of the leading trends that has been ruling the hearts of several Java evangelists is the DevOps technology. Developer Operations is literally about joining the development team and the IT operations team to ensure better outcomes.
Now, can you tell me what the main concern is for developers these days? It is how they will create, test and package an entire software? IT staff members are often tasked with configuring and maintaining software.
There is no doubt, DevOps now seems to have become a sure-shot cornerstone, especially in the current IT operations and modern software development era. It may also interest you to know that the methodology emphasises absolute collaboration, integration and continuous delivery; by doing so, nothing can stop one from enhancing the quality of the software and speed. Since its inception, the concept has successfully developed a sophisticated ecosystem that integrates cutting-edge technologies.
Here’s a comprehensive set of tools offered by DevOps:
- Continuous Integration - GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline
- Containerization - Docker, Podman, Buildah
- Orchestration - Kubernetes, OpenShift, Apache Mesos, Nomad
- Automated Testing - JUnit, TestNG, Mockito, Selenium, RestAssured
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) configuration management - Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, Chef, SaltStack
- GitOps - Argo CD, Flux, Jenkins X, Spinnaker
So in addition to faster pipelines, devOps assures smart automation, built-in compliance, and developing environments and assists in undergoing seamless transformation.
IoT Solutions
The buzz of IoT shows no signs of slowing down. Over a few years, Java has been considered a great fit since there is a possibility to make such apps run on numerous devices. And not just that, another astounding attribute is that these apps can handle large networks and work absolutely in sync with real-time AI models.
The Java trend, in particular, has a long-standing role in the evolution of the ecosystem, especially of embedded and interconnected devices. Of course, there are several other alluring and intimidating programming languages, but have you wondered why, somehow, Java manages to remain relevant, wondering how?
Ensures platform independence - What is Java’s ultimate objective? “Write once and run anywhere”, and this definitely turns out to be a huge advantage for IoT. It is possible for applications to run on different devices as well as operating systems, and you don’t have to spend hours and hours modifying them. Nothing can stop one from creating a diverse and fragmented IoT hardware market.
Absolute security - Another interesting aspect to fall for is that Java features high-end built-in security, for example, a security manager and relevant encryption APIs; these aspects are very important to develop highly secured IoT apps. With a growing number of connected devices and cyber threats, security is one of the main concerns these days.
Great scalability - Java’s enterprise-level design and strong support are highly recommended for multi-threading, and this is why it is highly feasible to develop IoT solutions that can manage lots and lots of devices as well as process large amounts of data.
Comprehensive ecosystem - In addition to this, you will find the Java ecosystem featuring a large, active developer community. Eclipse IoT and Spring Boot are some of the most commonly used frameworks that assist in developing high-end enterprise-grade IoT applications.
Seamless integration - Do you think Java is limited to IoT? Not at all! Here you will find a glimpse of AI and big data as well, where the tech’s role is reinforced by its strong interoperability, all thanks to Apache Hadoop and Spark.
In addition to all these, you can develop apps featuring cross-platform compatibility, real-time data processing, AI integration and seamless development of large-scale networks. If you take a look at the IoT landscape, you will find out that Java remains an absolutely strong and evolving trend. So no more saying no to developing highly scalable, secure, complex IoT solutions.
AI and Machine Learning
Another amazing Java trend we need to consider is AI and machine learning. I am sure you are well aware of the significance of both evolving technologies. Now, here Python has been dominating for ages; however, Java is no longer behind, and you can see an unexpected yet relevant rise for yourself. The programming language is highly known for its unmatched robustness and versatility. No wonder it is now possible to develop intelligent, data-driven solutions.
Here, I would like to mention a few reasons stating why Java has been a top choice for several AI and ML development projects.
Seamless integration with other tech - This might seem pretty basic, but it is very important. Java can be easily used in conjunction with several databases, cloud platforms, as well as other programming languages.
Highly secured and reliable - Another major concern is high security and reliability; the need for data sensitivity and security cannot be ignored at any rate. Java offers a strong range of security features, where you are able to get an added layer of protection. In addition, no matter how sensitive AI and ML data is, it can be safeguarded with the help of relevant security protocols. Apps made by combining AI, ML, and Java aren’t just powerful but highly secured from potential threats.
Enhanced performance and scalability - Meeting the intensive computational demands isn’t an easy venture, and you need a programming language that turns out to be extremely high in performance and scalability. So, no matter how complicated or complex an AI app is, with features like garbage collection and memory management mechanisms, Java and AI apps will run smoothly even if they scale.
Cross-platform compatibility - Another astounding reason to consider is the platform’s independent nature, irrespective of your app development project, versatile and adaptable, where apps need to operate seamlessly among several platforms and devices.
Object-oriented programming for modular development - Another alluring fact that shouldn’t be ignored is that Java is object-oriented, ensuring easy development of AI and machine learning. This is why coding becomes more modular, reusable and highly scalable. AI algorithms and machine learning models are complex, making it easier to organise as well as maintain code. So what are you waiting for? Time to make AI functions way better and highly innovative, say no to getting stuck on the details of code management.
Strong community - Java is not relatively new, so you need to bear in mind that you will come across a robust and active community of developers. Here you get Apache Jena for semantic web applications and Neuroph for neural network frameworks, and such a plethora of frameworks, libraries, pre-built tools and functions, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Cloud-Native Java Development
One of the most valuable key technologies used is cloud native development. Tools such as Spring Boot and Micronaut assist developers in creating systems that are extremely scalable, reliable, and efficient. So if you are confused about how you will deploy the same app to different cloud platforms, fret not, it is feasible!
Spring Boot - This framework simplifies microservices, wondering how? All you need to do is enable independent, scalable-looking components.
Micronaut - This particular framework is well optimised for lightweight, fast applications, ideal for real-time data processing with reduced startup times and resource usage.
Git and Code Collaboration
GitHub is a worldwide notion; from beginners to experts, everyone knows what GitHub is, so we won’t be getting into those details. However, there is one thing you might not know, which is, only a few have mastered the concept of Git. Yes, it isn’t easy to control the command-line version control system; you need a greater amount of knowledge and expertise than you think.
Using Git, you get easy access to IntelliJ and Eclipse, develop tools such as Maven and Gradle, and CI/CD pipelines.
Now, have you wondered why Git is a must-have for enterprise development? All thanks to its amazing bunch of features, such as signed commits, audit logs, and secret scanning, ensure secure and compliant development processes, and more.
GitHub is its web-based counterpart. However, the concept will only work if you are a high-profile wizard from afar.
Now, many of you have this misconception that Git is a Java technology. Well, it is not! However, all this is still worth the shot!
Remote Access Solutions
The next Java trend one shouldn’t miss is having a remote access solution at hand. After dealing with the massive COVID pandemic, concepts such as remote and hybrid work have gained recognition to a great extent. Today, having highly secure remote accessibility has become a must-have. Cloud IDEs like GitHub Codespaces and Eclipse Theia, along with different VPN alternatives and containerised environments, work well. In short, it is possible for developers to code from anywhere. Having a significant pack of remote tools can assist well in maintaining productivity and consistency, and this doesn’t mean you will be compromising in terms of security.
Serverless Architecture
The next interesting Java trend to watch out for is serverless architecture. Serverless architecture or serverless computing can be defined as creating one such app that is able to run without requiring to management infrastructure of a physical server.
There is no debate about the fact that cloud-based technology has been on the radar for several years, and this year is no different. Oracle, Java Cloud Service, AWS SDK for Java, and Google App Engine are some of the most astounding tools that need to be considered for conducting absolutely robust cloud development projects in Java.
Security and Data Protection
Security breaches are increasing every now and then; you need to seek the assistance of technologies that can offer absolute assistance and ensure high-end security and data protection. Well, fret not, you have landed on the perfect technology since this one offers a strong range of security features, especially when it comes to protecting data and user safety. Java incorporates built-in tools, code verification processes, and access controls, so professionals have easy access to secure systems.
Can using frameworks such as Spring do wonders here? I mean, you can make the most of relevant Java authentication tools to successfully manage authentication, authorisation, and encryption. Several industry verticals, such as finance, healthcare, are making the most of Java for CRM systems, especially when the need is to protect sensitive customer data at the same time ensuring compliance.
Encryption Tools - Different APIs, such as JCA and JSSE, ensure easy encryption and highly secure communication, which definitely protects sensitive data irrespective of the payment systems you are using.
Code safety checks - Bytecode verification assists well in detecting vulnerabilities, which ensures compiled code is pretty safe; no wonder it is highly recommended for banking apps.
Access control- Java SecurityManager and AccessController can restrict unwanted access.
Spring Security Framework - The framework successfully enhances security with features like authentication, authorisation, data encryption, and login system integration.
Mobile and Android Development
The Android and mobile development market is booming, no two ways about it! And you might be surprised to know that Java has been acting as a strong cornerstone here. The Java technology has been considered to develop an amazing range of wearables, including smartwatches and fitness trackers.
JUnit, Robot Framework, Selenium, and REST-Assured are some Java technologies that can work wonders for integration testing.
PaaS and SaaS
Java has been an amazing choice for PaaS/SaaS apps. By incorporating Java, it is possible to scale SaaS and PaaS products with increasing demand and fret Now, you no longer have to worry about scaling the product with increasing demand, and you won’t be bogged down by underlying system specifics. Now, can you tell me what the most crucial aspect is for handling business operations?
It is to ensure absolute protection of sensitive data, and that's how business operations are handled successfully. Java not only does that but also features a rich set of libraries and frameworks and tech stack such as MongoDB, MySQL, or Redis, which accelerate the overall development process, leading to seamless reduction of time and cost.
Conclusion
It would be extremely foolish for one to question Java’s sustainability. Featuring high scalability, robustness, security, performance, a large community and most importantly, its never-ending commitment to innovation cements the tech’s pivotal role in the modern software development realm.
Fret not, this one has been a steady player, so whichever trend you choose, you can never go wrong with Java, whether you need to develop large enterprise systems, build cloud applications, or support mobile projects.
I hope you did find the following post worth taking into account. In case you have any kind of doubts or concerns, feel free to mention them in the comment section below. Good luck with your upcoming development venture.
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