How to Choose Java Developers for Your Project
Despite being a veteran among programming languages, Java remains one of the most common and is constantly upgrading. It’s hard to beat Java in terms of versatility and reliability. Due to the huge talent pool of almost 9 million developers worldwide, it is beneficial to use this programming language for many types of development.
Since there are plenty of Java freelancers, companies often outsource development and receive qualified services for a reasonable price. Outsourcing Java development also gives flexibility in terms of employment type and pricing models.
Java is a great choice for building scalable and high-performing applications, infrastructures, big data projects, and custom SaaS software. Depending on the project type, the number of developers and other team members can vary, as well as the tech stack they will need to use.
Considering all the perks of a programming language itself, it is still a huge challenge to hire Java developers who will fit a budget, serve all the project requirements, and provide excellent quality. The critical role of the employer here is to clearly map out project requirements and set the screening process in the right way.
Here are a few tips on how to screen, hire, and choose Java developers for your next project.
How to choose Java developers for your project?
Set requirements for your project
Clearly mapping out the objectives of the projects is half the battle. Whether it be an application, enterprise solutions, or complex data infrastructure, defining what technologies are required and what expectations are set is critical.
It is also important to understand which employment type you need, how long the project will take, and how complex it is. This is directly connected to the level of expertise of developers, and the size of the outsourced team. Here are the two most common hiring models for outsourced Java developers:
Dedicated team – With this employment model, you have an outsourced development team that is flexible to your changes and makes adjustments during the process.
Fixed price – This pricing model is more rigid and works upon a predetermined agreement in terms of services, time, price, etc.
Another important factor is the type of development. They are different types of enterprise solutions, mobile applications, data projects, etc. One requires more skills and costs more, while others may be executed more easily.
Screening process
After the initial filter, the screening and hiring process will include the following steps:
Résumé check
Test task
Interview
During the screening process, make sure to pay close attention not only to the candidate’s hard skills and technical expertise but also to the soft skills. To know more about successfully screening Java developers, check here.
Structuring your Java development team
Whether your idea can be brought to market through an application, a SaaS platform, or data infrastructure, here are some basic tips that will help you navigate through the process of team building. This way, it will be easier to screen and hire Java developers as well as other members of an outsourced team. This also helps to set up a realistic budget, as you can approximately see how many specialists you will need. Another important factor is development duration, which solely depends on the specifics of your project and your business needs.
Java mobile application development
Java allows building applications with robust architecture, clear code, and high coverage with unit testing.
Basic tech stack: Java for Android development, Spring Boot, SQL database, Redis, Apache Tomcat, AWS, Java Servlet, HTML\CSS\JavaScript for front-end, Angular, Jasmine + Karma.
How many developers do I need?
There are different types of mobile application development, but on average you will need around 2-3 Java developers. Other essential team members may include a DevOps, QA, and UI/UX designer.
Java development for SaaS
Java is a reliable and predictable choice for solid SaaS architecture. It provides a strong and dependable template for development and allows software engineers to easily manage any development issues moving forward. Ultimately, Java can make the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the SaaS application easier and more efficient in terms of operational costs.
Basic tech stack: Java, Apache, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, SQL/NoSQL databases, React\Angular, RESTful API.
How many developers do I need?
Depending on your project size, the number of developers may vary. However, for SaaS platform development, 2-4 Java developers in most cases would be enough. Other primary team members may include a product owner, Scrum master, QA, and customer support representative.
Big data projects built with Java
If you are planning to create a big data project or a project enabled with artificial intelligence or machine learning (which obviously also includes data collecting and analytics), Java should be your top choice. Most of today’s big data technologies like Apache Hadoop and Storm are written in Java. These open-source environments are becoming the central infrastructures for data science projects for many enterprises.
Knowledge of Java and its related tech stack gives developers the required skills and flexibility to tailor sophisticated data-enabled solutions with AI and ML.
Basic tech stack: Hadoop ecosystem and Apache Spark, SQL/NoSQL databases, Kubernetes constructs that are used to build Big Data CI/CD pipelines, RedShift, Hive, Athena for querying data.
How many developers do I need?
For a big data project, you will need around 5-8 developers. Other crucial team members may include a data scientist, data analyst, business analyst, and data architect.
What technologies and skills do your Java developers need?
To develop solid mobile and web applications, Java developers need experience and to regularly upgrade their skills. Here are the most in-demand Java technologies of 2021:
Spring 5 framework & Spring security
Apart from common libraries for Java programming, it is highly recommended for developers to try using the Spring 5.0 Framework, which is a new version of one of the oldest Java frameworks. It is an open-source tool, so using it will reduce overall licensing costs. There were many new features recently added to the framework, like reactive programming.
Generally, Spring is a lightweight framework that allows developers to add different layers to a project. Another major upgrade on the Spring ecosystem worth learning is the release of Spring Security 5.0. It provides authentication and authorization for Java applications.
Angular & React JS
Having a grasp of front-end development frameworks such as Angular 2+ and React JS will definitely add diversity to a developer’s Java skills.
Apache Spark, Hadoop, and Kafka
Java is well-known for its capability to be used as a robust and scalable tool in building big data applications. In the following years, the big data sector will soar, so having skills in the tech stack that are applicable to data projects will be essential. Among the top tools for big data-oriented Java development are frameworks like Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, and Kafka.
Docker & Kubernetes
Whether it is an entry-level Java developer or a skilled engineer, both at some point will need to use Docker or Kubernetes. These tools are very important when working with the Java development stack, as they give engineers a common framework for running distributed ecosystems and have the consistent infrastructure for their projects.
Java 11+
Knowing different versions of Java is a must, but keeping track of new launches and added features is also extremely important. For example, JDK 15 has recently presented general availability, along with some of the JEPs like the Edwards-Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA), sealed classes, and hidden classes.
Cloud environment
Cloud is another big trend in 2021, as many companies are migrating to cloud infrastructures, creating a surge in demand for associated solutions, so it is critical to acquire all the possible tools for working with cloud-native environments. Learning Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform will be an important competitive advantage.
DevOps
With more enterprises adopting consistent integration, DevOps is becoming more popular. Knowing DevOps can help Java programmers properly manage an environment, provide automation, and improve overall software structure.
Microservices
The key point of using microservices is that it enables developers to break code into small, manageable, and independent services. Its architecture is perfect for the public cloud, with its flexible scaling and extensive resources.
Java development with Erbis
Erbis has extensive experience in creating projects with a Java development stack. Our experts have built advanced and sophisticated solutions in the supply chain, healthcare, and retail industries. Erbis’ Java development team can build your project from scratch or enhance its current technology with ease and professionalism.
