Introduction

Java is a high-level, general-purpose, memory-safe, object-oriented programming language that provides a robust framework for web development, allowing developers to create dynamic, scalable, and maintainable applications.

Java is commonly used for developing web applications, enterprise software, mobile apps, and embedded systems.

What is Java?

Java is a popular, object-oriented programming language and computing platform developed by Oracle in 1995, known for its “write once, run anywhere” capability. It offers a wide range of features, including automatic memory management, strong type-checking, and support for object-oriented programming principles.

Java is used for a vast array of applications, including mobile applications, enterprise software, web applications, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Why use Java?

Developers choose to use Java because it is a robust, secure, and platform-independent language ideal for enterprise-grade applications. As an object-oriented language, Java makes it easy to create reusable code and modular programs, contributing to the rapid pace of development and shorter time to market (TTM) it offers.

Java also boasts a vast ecosystem of frameworks and tools to boost developer efficiency, and an active community of users and contributors.

To get a better sense of Java’s versatility, consider these famous applications:

• Microsoft: Deploys over 2 million JVMs across its internal systems in order to run its data pipeline on Java.
• LinkedIn: Powers its “People you may know” recommendation feature with a Java-powered microservice, contributing to the platform’s 400,000 files of Java code.
• Google: As one of its official server-side languages, Google uses Java frameworks for convenient backend networking, coding servers and crafting user interfaces.
• Amazon: Uses Java to ensure the security of sensitive data as well as to maintain legacy systems.
• Spotify: Uses Java to guarantee compatibility across all platforms and operating systems.

Benefits of Java

As the 4th most popular programming language in 2025 according to the TIOBE Programming Community Index, Java boasts numerous benefits and strengths for developers and companies alike. Due to its adaptability and varied modules, developers can easily use Java to create various apps, sites, and other projects.

The benefits of Java include:

• Open-source: Open-source since 2011, anyone can use the Java Development Kit (JDK)’s source code to create a customized build fully optimized for their use case.
• Community-driven: The Java Community Process (JCP) is how Java developers create and revise Java reference implementations and specifications.
• High-performance: Java uses an abstraction layer called the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that allows Java programs to function across platforms, and because it is architecture-neutral, Java apps and systems typically boast near-native performance.
• Functional programming: Java supports functional programming, a paradigm where developers create programs by composing and applying functions in order to make programs faster, and easier to understand.
• Large ecosystem: Java offers a broad collection of built-in functions, libraries and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs).

Java Skills and Qualifications

Java developers will often hold a degree in computer science or similar, though this is not essential. When hiring a Java developer, it’s most important to look for strong experience in Java development.

There are also many certifications and qualifications that a Java developer may have. Popular certifications include:

• Oracle Java EE 7 Application Developer
• Oracle Certified Java Programmer (OCPJP)
• Java Certified Foundations Associate
• Oracle Certified Professional Certification – Java SE 8
• Oracle Certified Professional Certification – Java SE 11 
• Oracle Certified Professional Certification – Java SE 17
• Oracle Certified Expert – Web Component Developer (OCEWCD)
• Broadcom Spring Certified Professional
• VMware Spring Professional Certification‍

Beyond technical skills, soft skills are vital when choosing your Java developer. Problem-solving is crucial, aiding with troubleshooting and continuous learning. Communication is also essential when looking for any new team member, particularly in facilitating clear and open communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Popular Java-Related Languages

There are many programming languages that are helpful to know and use alongside Java, including:

• Kotlin: A statically typed, general-purpose, high-level programming language that interoperates with Java, allowing Kotlin and Java files to share data.
• Scala: Designed specifically to address criticisms of Java, Scala is a concise, scalable programming language.
• Apache Groovy: An optionally typed and dynamic language with static compilation and typing capabilities that run on the JVM.
• Fantom: A portable language with a Java-like syntax that runs on the JVM, typically used for crypto and DeFi applications.

Popular Java Libraries

Java is well-known for its active community and vast array of helpful libraries. Some of the most popular Java libraries include:

• Apache Commons: 43 modular libraries covering domains such as math, caching and databases.
• JUnit: An open-source testing framework for Java, used to write and run automated tests, typically used for unit testing.
• Jackson Libraries: A suite of data processing libraries offering data annotations and binding.
• Lombok: A popular Java library that helps to reduce or eliminate repetitive coding tasks.
• Google Guava: An open-source project from Google offering string manipulation, concurrency, and important collections.
• Jackson: Used to encode or map Java objects to JSON and vice versa.

Popular Java Frameworks

Frameworks are collections of reusable code, templates and tools that provide a foundational structure for building applications effectively and efficiently. Some of the most popular Java frameworks include:

• Spring: A hugely popular framework for building enterprise-level applications, offering modules for dependency injection, aspect-oriented programming and integration.
• Spring Boot: An extension of Spring that simplifies the setup of Spring-based applications.
• Hibernate: A robust Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that simplifies database interactions. 
• Quarkus: An open-source framework designed to provide high performance for building cloud-native and microservice applications.
• Micronaut: A modern, lightweight framework built for cloud and serverless environments.
• Vaadin: A framework for building interactive web applications with pure Java.
• Dropwizard: A framework that simplifies the creation of lightweight RESTful web services.
• Grails: A web framework built on Groovy that promotes rapid web application development.

Popular Java ​​Programming Tools

There are many tools available to enhance the experience of using Java. Some of the most popular tools include:

• NetBeans: An integrated development environment (IDE) that allows users to create apps from a set of modular software components.
• Gradle: A build automation tool that controls every step of the development process, from compilation and packaging to testing and publishing.
• IntelliJ IDEA: Another robust integrated development environment (IDE) specifically tailored for Java development, focused on maximizing developer productivity.
• JHipster: A set of helpful tools and blueprints that aim to facilitate rapid development, designed for projects that utilize both Spring Boot and Angular/React.
• Groovy: A powerful, agile tool designed to enrich the Java platform with scripting capabilities, allowing for a more dynamic approach to programming.
• jProfiler: A performance analysis tool offering multiple profiling views and a versatile heap walker.

Why hire a Java developer?

Java developers are specialized programmers who use the Java language to create, test, and release applications. They are responsible for coding, testing, and planning Java-based projects, then translating user requirements into project objectives. They closely collaborate with user interface designers and project managers, translating stakeholder and client requirements into code.

How much does it cost to hire a Java developer?

When hiring traditionally in the US for a local, mid-level Ruby developer, the average annual compensation is $145,478/year according to Built In. However, even by just expanding to other parts of the United States, salaries can be reduced significantly.

On average, companies hiring Java developers with HireDevelopers can expect to save between 50% and 80% on salaries and hiring costs, with exact salaries varying based on location and experience. The greatest savings can be found by hiring in Africa and Asia, while companies looking for aligned time zones and a closer cultural match can hire from our extensive pool of Latin American developers.

How does Java fit into backend development?

Developers use Java for backend development because of its scalability, efficient memory management and platform-independence. In particular, developers tend to use lightweight frameworks like Spring Boot and frameworks like Hibernate to create and manage the back-end in Java.

Java can also handle all low-level relational database operations, reducing the workload for developers.

Is Java better than Ruby?

Java and Ruby are both great choices for web development that appeal to different types of developers and projects. Ruby is great for fast-moving projects focused on productivity and speed, often within startups and MVPs, whereas Java is considered better for performance, particularly at enterprise level.

Is Java similar to C++?

Java and C++ are similar in their type, applications and complexity. Java and C++ can both be used to create applications, web browsers and websites. They also have a similar, English-derived syntax.

What are the 4 rules of Java?

The four pillars of Java are Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Abstraction. These principles make up the foundation of its object-oriented programming paradigm, providing a robust framework for creating modular, reusable and maintainable code.

How many keywords are in Java?

In Java, there are 68 reserved keywords with predefined meanings. Some of the most important keywords in Java are:

• abstract: A non-access modifier applicable for classes and methods, used to achieve abstraction.
• enum: Used to define a set of named constants making the code more readable and maintainable.
• instanceof: Used to indicate whether the object is an instance of the specified type.
• private: An access modifier, preventing something from being seen outside of its class.
• protected: Allows an element to be seen outside of your current package.

What are Java data types?

Java has two data types: primitive and reference (also known as non-primitive). Primitive data types include byte, short, int, long, float, double, boolean and char. Reference data types include string, wrappers, arrays and classes.

Why is it hard to find good Java developers?

It can be hard to find great Java developers due to the high demand for Java engineers in the United States. The TIOBE Programming Community Index ranks Java as the 4th most popular programming language for 2025, and Java won Programming Language of the Year in 2015.

If you’re struggling to find elite Java developers, try HireDevelopers today to tap into our vast network of pre-vetted, remote Java developers in just 24 hours.

How to hire Java developers

The first step to hiring a Java developer is to decide on a hiring method. Traditional hiring methods include local job adverts, LinkedIn job posts and using your professional network to identify potential candidates.

However, these methods are often time consuming and can be expensive. The median time to hire a developer is around 41 days, with the slowest 10% taking up to 82 days and 38% of companies reporting project delays due to recruitment problems, according to the Linux Foundation’s 2024 State of Tech Talent Report.

Alternatively, many companies are now turning to services like HireDevelopers to cut costs and speed up the hiring process. With HireDevelopers, you can hire Java developers from anywhere in the world, at any price point, in just 24 hours.

When putting together a job description or job interview for a Java developer, prioritize technical skills, like familiarity with key frameworks such as Spring Boot.

You should also consider using coding challenges alongside a traditional interview during the hiring process – if you’re using a pre-vetted talent pool like HireDevelopers, this has already been done for you. Coding challenges allow you to assess problem-solving skills and coding expertise in a realistic, real-time environment.

If you need help putting together a Java job description or conducting a Java job interview, you can check out our helpful and comprehensive guides below. Alternatively, to cut your time-to-hire by 90% and unlock savings of up to 80%, get in touch and book your free HireDevelopers consultation today.

Why hire Java developers with HireDevelopers?

Hiring the right Java developer for your team is a huge undertaking, and the process can be intimidating, especially for startups and small businesses.

At HireDevelopers, our pre-vetted, global tech talent marketplace streamlines your hiring journey and cuts time-to-hire by over 90% without compromising on quality or stretching your budget. Receive a custom shortlist of top Java developers at any seniority level, at any price point and located anywhere in the world within just 24 hours of your consultation.

Plus, we’ll handle all payroll, legal compliance and HR completely for free, giving you more time to start building with your new Java dev.

Get in touch today and start hiring top-notch Java developers in just 24 hours.