Advantages and disadvantages of Java and why learn Java

The Java programming language has several advantages, but as with any programming language, there are also some disadvantages. So, if you’re wondering which programming language will be the most rewarding for you in your IT career, here are the top reasons why you should learn to program in Java, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of Java.

You’ve probably come across the Java programming language before, whether you have several years’ experience as a Java developer senior or are just starting out in IT.

What is Java

Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language created by Oracle in 1991. It is fast, secure and reliable and, along with Python, C, C++ and C#, has long been one of the most widely used programming languages, which is no surprise given the benefits of Java programming.

The Java language is a free programming language that you can download and use for free, and instructions on how to learn coding in Java can be found almost everywhere today. But there are other interesting benefits to using it that make learning Java a guaranteed rewarding experience.

Java advantages

1. Java is a versatile and functional programming language

Java can be defined as a universal programming language. This means that it can be used for programming in almost any field. It is most often used for software development, Big Data, server back-ends, mobile, desktop or web Java applications, but it is also great in the field of artificial intelligence or machine learning development.

At the same time, it is an interpreted language that is easily transferable between platforms. Source code written in Java can thus be run anywhere, regardless of the platform or operating system.

2. Java programming language is suitable for beginners

Programming in Java is not only interesting, but also quite simple. The Java programming language is clear, easy to read and its syntax is based on the popular C and C++ languages. It even performs a pre-launch analysis to verify that there are no bugs, issues or flaws in the source code that could make the application unworkable or insecure.

So if you are a Java developer junior and you are just starting out in programming, we strongly recommend that you choose this programming language. Java programming for beginners can be mastered by anyone, even without previous programming experience.

3. No memory management required when creating applications

The great news is that Java manages its memory automatically, without the need for manual start or external intervention. This way you can get on with your programming undisturbed and not worry about potential memory management problems.

4. The huge community of Java developers is also a great advantage

In addition to a wealth of technical literature and online guides, developer communities can also help you learn to program in Java. There are more than 9 million developers in the world who have encountered the same or a similar problem as you, or are struggling with it. And because Java is an open source language, finding help is easy.

5. High demand and high salaries for Java developers

In the current era of automation, digital transformation and constant innovation, the demand for quality software engineers is also growing. However, as the demand increases, so do their salaries, and this makes of the developer salary an extremely attractive motivation.

The IT sector is one of the highest paying industries and the job of a Java developer is no exception, as evidenced by the Java developer salary. When choosing a programming language, the salary of a particular position may also be a factor.

Java disadvantages

As mentioned above, the Java programming language can run on a wide range of platforms and operating systems. However, this has a negative impact on its speed. As a result, Java is slower than platform-specific languages.

Automatic memory management also has a negative impact on language speed. Although it makes the developer’s job easier, it significantly reduces Java’s speed compared to programming languages where the developer is in charge of memory management. Java is therefore not an ideal choice for programming games or computationally intensive operations.

It is also RAM-intensive and is not recommended for creating complicated user interfaces to avoid unnecessary problems and inconsistencies that occur when using Java. A big disadvantage of Java programming is the lack of backup. The Java programming language is not designed with backups in mind, which can result in the loss of important data.

Although it is one of the most suitable languages for beginners, Java’s syntax is more complex than, for example, Python, and therefore more difficult to understand and learn. Java code consists of long sentences and contains a lot of detail, which can make the source code difficult to read for a beginner. It is also complicated to navigate through the many libraries and frameworks available for Java as well as to evaluate their suitability for a given application. However, it is important to remember that the advantages of programming in Java far outweigh the disadvantages.

Master Java programming and become one of us

The Java programming language is versatile, functional and in high demand on the job market. So if you’re thinking about learning to program in Java, knowing the language can help you a lot when applying for a developer job. We also use the Java language at msg life Slovakia where we are actively looking for skilled developers. In our junior positions, you only need to know the basics of Java programming.

In return, we offer you an above-average salary, attractive employee benefits, the opportunity for career growth and a great team of colleagues as well as an attractive signing bonus. If you are interested in working with a leading IT company on interesting projects and developing your programming skills, then check out our developer job offers and become part of our development team!