Java 2021 — Almost 30 Years Young!

Java! A language that has been around for 30 years now (since its conception), still it manages to enthuse and spring some surprises, even to the most experienced among us. Although Java 15 is the latest version, which comes with a lot of upgrades, according to a survey conducted by JetBrains, Java 8 is still the most popular version (75 % of respondents), while Java 11 wins the second place (32% of respondents). Let’s find out how this language still manages to surprise us and what will be the hottest Java aspects this year.

Spring

Used in many many projects, Spring is by far the most popular framework. Designed to create a backend for Java apps, it is used for everything: from microservices to complex data processing systems and from cloud applications to responsive web apps. It’s weight and ease of use make it even stronger and the most popular, something that is not going to change this year! Spring is still hot and winning more and more admirers.

Java and GraphQL

GraphQL is a query language to retrieve data from a server. Let’s say it is an alternative to REST or SOAP. Traditional REST APIs work with resources that the server manages. As long as the API fits the resource concept, everything goes well. But if we need to deviate from it, bad things happen. That also occurs when the client needs data from multiple sources at the same time. GraphQL comes as the hero to solve both these problems. It offers exact specification of the data needed and allows multiple queries in one and only request. Using Java and Spring boot to build GraphQL APIs is becoming hotter and hotter, especially this year!

Serverless Architecture

Serverless is a bit misguiding as a word since it brings to mind that no server will be needed. That is not the case though. Serverless Architecture is a cloud service where Software Engineers can focus only on coding and not infrastructure since the latter is managed by public cloud providers (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM). Java has managed to enter this trend and is of course expected to grow even more in the Serverless Architecture world.

Everyone knows, trusts and understands the importance and the value of Java. “Old” as it may be, it still offers a lot and manages to find its way in anything new, if it is worth the mention. Are you a Java Engineer looking for a new challenge? Check out Agile Actors’ current openings here!