Java is one of the most widely used software development platforms. The pioneering programming language is now owned by Oracle Corp., a multinational computer technology company. Java offers a number of advantages over other coding languages. That's why Java application development services have long been popular in the software industry.
Java is compatible with different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. The open-source development platform is secure, fast and powerful. Additionally, Java is supported by a huge community of developers spread around the world.
The popularity and demand of Java may prompt Java developers to unknowingly make mistakes that may significantly harm the development process. Below discussed are the most common mistakes made by a Java developer. Read on to understand these mistakes and get tips for avoiding them.
1 - The confusion over static & non-static methods
A static method runs without any instance of a class. Such methods belong to the class and hence there's no need to create an instance of the class to access it. Static methods can't use non-static variables of the class. On the other hand, non-static methods belong to an object of the class and the developer needs to create an instance of the class to access it.
Many Java developers fail to clearly understand the basic difference between the two. Always remember that variables and methods in Java must be accessed via an object reference. They are not accessible from a static reference.
2 - Ignoring the existing Java libraries
Java offers a number of libraries that have been improvised by a community of developers over the years. These libraries are great resources for writing quality codes. These libraries could include logging libraries like Log4j and network-related libraries like Netty. Such libraries offer the developers many advantages. First and the most important advantage is that accessing a library saves a great deal of time and effort. They enable you to reuse codes as much as you want.
Java standard libraries, for example, empowers your coding by aiding the programming process. The library 'java.util' renders you a vast range of data structures available in Java.
3 - Memory leaks in coding
Although Java features automatic memory management, developers should always know how to use memory in the application. Despite having automatic management, memory-related issues may arise at any time.
There are many possibilities through which memory leaks can happen in Java development. The most common cause of memory leaking is the object references. In the coding process, the garbage collector can't remove objects from a heap when there are references. A group of objects referencing each other could be another possible cause for memory leaks. Such groups may trigger circular dependencies preventing the garbage collector from deciding whether these objects with references are needed or not.
4 - Not freeing resources
While coding in Java, it is important to free the resource once you've have used it. The developers can't be completely sure when a garbage collection cycle will start, it's wiser to free the resource as soon as you're done with it. If you forget to free the resource, the input stream can use computer resources for an indefinite time.
5 - Using null references
Java programming enables you to assign to any variable of a reference type to indicate that the variable doesn't refer to any object. If you want to write a good-quality code, always avoid excessive use of null. This will make your code cleaner as you don't have to null-check the variables.
Different strategies may be used to avoid null references. One of the most effective methods is an Optional type that can be an empty object or an array of some value. Optional type is available on Java since version 8.
To sum it up, you need to be aware of avoiding all these common mistakes, especially when beginning to code in Java. First of all, you should have a clear understanding of static and non-static methods. Then, it's important to leverage the existing Java libraries. Preventing memory leaks is equally important. Finally, free the resources as soon as you've used them and avoid using null references.
If you are not a developer yourself and planning to Hire Java developer, do extensive research and make an informed decision. The software development industry has a staggering number of vendors offering Java application development services. Such an overcrowded market may baffle you. Hence, it's always better to talk to an expert and choose a vendor that can address your requirements.
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