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What does a java developer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
What does a java developer do

A Java developer is responsible for developing Java-based applications, including its strong efficiency and smooth operations for the clients and business' use. Java developers implement application designs, diagnosing ineffective processes, and conducting troubleshooting. A Java developer must ensure the stability of the application before launch to provide the best user experience. Software developers must have an excellent command of programming languages, software analysis, system codes, and other technical specifications. A software developer maintains a record of the processes and issues resolutions for reference and improvement opportunities.

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Java developer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real java developer resumes:

  • Involve in creating an ant task to automate the above process.
  • Manage connectivity using JDBC for querying/inserting & data management including triggers and store procedures.
  • Manage maven environment by setting up local, remote and central repositories with require configuration in maven configuration files.
  • Develop UI using JavaScript, JSP, HTML and CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
  • Experience in Java coding for JSON access in the eclipse IDE and saving the data in the database.
  • Design UI using JSP and HTML and validate with JavaScript for providing the user interface and communication between client and server.
  • Involve in development of data access layer, which are java classes to encapsulate all database specific calls using JDBC API.
  • Used maven as build framework, git for source control, Jenkins for continuous integration.
  • Work on ORM mapping relations using XML for the purpose and mapping the java classes with the database.
  • Work with cross-browser issues relate to the front end that is created using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5.
  • Used JSON to load data into JQUERY data grid.
  • Develop presentation layer of the project using HTML, JSP, JSTL and JavaScript technologies.
  • Configure the XML files for the management of java objects and data sources by the IOC container.
  • Used DAO, MVC, POJO class and create package which contains class files of connection to database.
  • Design and develop UI screens with XSLT and JSF (MVC) to provide interactive screens to display data.

Java developer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Java Developers are proficient in Java, Spring Boot, and Database. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Creativity, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Java Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 17%

    Created custom user interfaces and reusable components based on Java Swing technology to support the distributed software application architecture.

  • Spring Boot, 5%

    Converted application to Spring Boot to implement Spring Batch functionality to run periodically for the application requirements.

  • Database, 4%

    Worked on developing stored procedures for database administrative tasks and database triggers to implement database auditing and to store historical data.

  • Web Application, 3%

    Gathered and analyzed information for developing, supporting, and modifying existing web applications based on prioritized business needs.

  • HTML, 3%

    Designed and developed the front-end User Interface, Navigation, HTML layouts, and Cascading Style Sheets for IHR system.

  • CSS, 3%

    Developed several web pages using HTML, CSS, JSP and JavaScript to perform checking and validations at Client's side.

"java," "spring boot," and "database" are among the most common skills that java developers use at work. You can find even more java developer responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a java developer to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests." Java developers often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided documentation of customer jira terms, standard practices, and implementation and weekly status reports. "

Creativity. Another essential skill to perform java developer duties is creativity. Java developers responsibilities require that "web developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing as well as functional." Java developers also use creativity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "project: sterling invoicing system developed a web based inventory and invoicing system based on java. "

Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of java developers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday java developer duties, as "web developers need to have an eye for detail, because a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to stop working." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed xml, xml schema and parsers using sax and dom, implemented system oriented architecture methodologies. "

See the full list of java developer skills

The three companies that hire the most java developers are:

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Compare different java developers

Java developer vs. Java programmer

Java programmers design and develop programs with the goal of not taking up too much data and less to almost no latency that can be useful to their users every day. They aim to write testable, well designed, and efficient computer codes. Java developers need a range of skills, from a thorough knowledge of the basics to an understanding of the latest developments. Programmers also need knowledge beyond the java language itself. Their skills should include knowing how the development process works and how the apps function in which the code runs.

The annual salary of java programmers is $8,147 lower than the average salary of java developers.Even though java developers and java programmers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require java, spring boot, and web application in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between java developers and java programmer. For instance, java developer responsibilities require skills such as "database," "junit," "microservices," and "test cases." Whereas a java programmer is skilled in "database connectivity," "application development," "ajax," and "unit test cases." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Java programmers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $94,924. On the other hand, java developers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,841.The education levels that java programmers earn slightly differ from java developers. In particular, java programmers are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a java developer. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Java developer vs. Web application developer

A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.

A career as a web application developer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a java developer. In fact, web application developers salary is $2,635 lower than the salary of java developers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Java developers and web application developers both require similar skills like "java," "spring boot," and "database" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that java developer responsibilities requires skills like "mvc," "maven," "design patterns," and "jms." But a web application developer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "javascript," "python," "git," and "application development."

On average, web application developers earn a lower salary than java developers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, web application developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $88,928. Whereas java developers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $96,841.In general, web application developers achieve lower levels of education than java developers. They're 6.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for java developers in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Java developer vs. Senior .net developer

A senior .NET developer is responsible for creating and managing software applications and programming languages under the .NET framework. Senior .NET developers carefully analyze software specifications and system requirements to ensure high-quality concept implementation using optimal operating procedures. A senior .NET developer runs diagnostic tests to identify its inconsistencies, perform adjustments as needed, and create reports of the system's features and methodologies. A senior .NET developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and software programming disciplines to assist junior developers and drive strategic results.

On average, senior .net developers earn higher salaries than java developers, with a $6,717 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on java developers and senior .net developers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "java," "web application," and "html.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, java developers are more likely to have skills like "spring boot," "database," "mvc," and "maven." But a senior .net developer is more likely to have skills like "net core," "javascript," "c # .net," and "asp."

Senior .net developers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $106,638. On the other hand, java developers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $96,841.When it comes to education, senior .net developers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to java developers. In fact, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Java developer vs. Senior web developer

A senior web developer is responsible for designing, building, and optimizing websites and other software applications. You are expected to perform a few tasks that include identifying client specifications and user requirements, working closely with teams and clients, and testing and documenting software for websites. Other duties include writing, modifying, and debugging websites, keeping up-to-date with the latest social marketing trends, and supervising junior web developers. You will also be responsible for writing code to create web pages and to work closely with mobile developers.

Senior web developers typically earn higher pay than java developers. On average, senior web developers earn a $9,441 higher salary per year.While both java developers and senior web developers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like java, spring boot, and database, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between java developers and senior web developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a java developer might have more use for skills like "design patterns," "tomcat," "jms," and "development life." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior web developers require skills like "javascript," "html5," "git," and "c #. "

In general, senior web developers earn the most working in the media industry, with an average salary of $116,206. The highest-paying industry for a java developer is the finance industry.senior web developers reach similar levels of education compared to java developers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of java developer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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