Skip to main content

What's Next

Hey, congrats on hitting the intermediate level in Java! You've come a long way and should be proud of yourself. But, there's always room for improvement and more challenges to tackle in the world of Java programming. Let's dive into some next steps you can take to continue growing as a Java developer.

Get to know Design Patterns​

Design patterns are reusable solutions to common programming problems. Understanding and using them can make your code more efficient, easier to maintain, and more scalable. Some popular patterns include Singleton, Factory, and Observer. Check out "Head First Design Patterns" by Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson if you want to learn more.

Practice Data Structures and Algorithms​

Data structures and algorithms are crucial for any programmer. Understanding them can help you write more efficient and scalable code. You should learn about arrays, linked lists, stacks, and queues, as well as sorting algorithms (like quicksort and mergesort) and search algorithms (like binary search).

In this course, we've covered some DS&A's that are bundled with Java, in our Collections Framework section. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Nail Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles​

Java is an object-oriented language, so you need to understand and practice OOP principles to become an expert Java developer. Key principles include abstraction encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

We covered many OOP topics in this course, but the only way to truly master OOP is to practice it. Learn the essentials, then build your own projects to cement the concepts.

Play with Java Frameworks and Libraries​

Java has tons of frameworks and libraries that can help you develop applications more efficiently.

The most common thing that people want to build for both personal projects and job security is web applications. Many programming jobs are in web development, so learning frameworks like Spring of Java EE will help you secure a job in programming, if that's one of your primary learning outcomes.

Build Real-World Projects​

Building real-world projects is a great way to apply what you've learned and gain experience as a Java developer. Many argue that it's the only way to truly become a good developer. You can work on personal projects, contribute to open-source projects, or participate in hackathons. It's an excellent way to identify gaps in your knowledge and gain practical experience in solving real-world problems.

So, keep practicing, stay curious, and never stop learning. You got this!