Top 10 Java Best Practices Every Developer Should Know

Do you know that billions of devices as well as applications around the world run on Java, one of the top programming languages worldwide?

With a strong community and frequent updates, Java programming language is robust, object-centered, safe, and highly adaptable. Java is still a very powerful tool for software development more than thirty years after it was first released, which is not surprising given that over 9 million developers use it worldwide. 

Coding is an essential skill for any developer, and errors are unavoidable. Occasionally, the compiler will identify certain errors and issue warnings. However, it becomes difficult to execute the program effectively if the compiler is unable to identify them. Thus, every Java app development business must make sure its team develops Java apps according to best practices. 

This blog covers some of the most popular Java best practices along with an explanation of their significance. Remember that not all projects will fall under every rule; therefore, when determining what is most suitable for your codebase, employ your best choice.

Here is the list of Top 10 Java Best Practices Every Developer Should Know.

Let’s get started. 

Follow Naming Conventions

One crucial component of Java programming is naming standards. Variables, classes, and methods must have appropriate names that convey their function. Code that follows consistent naming conventions is also easier to read. Avoid single-letter variable names and acronyms, as they can make code more difficult to understand. It is simpler to keep track of and modify code when it has titles appropriately, which may help developers understand the goal and objective of the code.

The Use of Effective Data Structures

The best code performance in Java programming depends on selecting the appropriate data structure. For instance, using an array or ArrayList rather than a LinkedList is preferable when working with enormous datasets. In a similar vein, using a PriorityQueue can increase an algorithm’s efficiency. These data structures are useful in code optimization and reduce the code’s execution time and spatial complexity.

Use Descriptive Commenting 

As we have already discussed, let’s get onto commenting, which is one of the steps in the software development process that is most frequently forgotten.  

How can someone who reads a codebase know it? They have to first determine what the code is intended to accomplish. Here’s when comments are useful. 

Commenting involves writing legible explanations of what a specific program component is doing within the code. If others on the team are less familiar with Java than you, clarify your understanding of the preferred methods by adding comments in your code. Provide comments that offer extra information not easily understood with a quick look at the code. 

Well-written comments may help maintain Java code more easily and speed up finding and fixing errors. Some developers may stand for self-documenting code. Write this type of code to help readers understand it quickly, minimizing the need for additional documentation.

No Empty Catch Blocks

For handling exceptions, Java uses the Try catch block. Try blocks contain code that might throw exceptions, and catch blocks handle those exceptions if the try block throws them. The catch block will handle any unplanned exceptions generated by the try block, such as dividing by zero, file not found, etc. 

Theoretically, the catch block can be left empty. However, this is an awful practice that needs to be avoided at all costs. The process of fixing bugs will take longer if the catch block is empty because it fails to inform you of whatever has gone wrong with our application’s code. 

Try To Avoid Hardcoding

Developers also need to stick to the excellent practice of avoiding using hard code. Hard coding can result in duplication and make it challenging for professionals to modify the code when necessary. In addition, if the value of the code is dynamic, it may result in unexpected behavior. 

Hardcoding components can also be changed in the way that follows:

• In Java, developers must substitute specified methods or variables for arrays or constant values.
• They can also be used in place of configuration or class-level constant values.

Make optimal use of Java libraries.

Java’s ability to support a wide range of code libraries is one of the key factors keeping it among the most widely used programming languages globally. These collections of prewritten code sometimes referred to as Java Class Libraries, are crucial resources for software architects. They allow Java programmers to quickly assemble code segments without having to write each function by hand.

However, it is important to remember that utilizing an excessive number of libraries is not a good idea while writing software and might have negative long-term effects. 

The reason for this is that loading specific system resources is necessary for every library. In addition to consuming a significant amount of system memory, they may impair the performance of the application. The quality of libraries is another problem. A few of them have flawed coding that could be more detrimental than beneficial.

To save important memory resources, Java programmers should only utilise libraries that come from reliable sources that serve various purposes.

Enroll in Java training in Chennai to gain in-depth knowledge of these libraries and elevate your programming skills for faster and more efficient development. 

Class members should remain private

Wherever possible, class members should remain private. This is because well-written programming is more likely to be more difficult to access for member variables. This is why Java developers need to employ a private access modifier.  

Anybody who has access to the code could modify the value of the class when its fields are made public.  Therefore, When defining class members, use private access modifiers. Members of private classes typically maintain the fields hidden, helping block any code user from modifying the data without employing setter methods.

Conduct Regular Code Reviews 

Code reviews help development teams maintain uniformity and quality of code. Promote developer input, problem-solving, and enhancement suggestions through peer code reviews. By working together, we can keep code standards high and stop errors from making their way into production.

Automate Build and Deployment Procedures

Automate build, testing, and deployment processes for streamlined development workflows and consistent environments. Use build automation tools such as Maven or Gradle and CI/CD pipelines to automate tasks and reduce errors.

Keep Up with the Most Recent Java Versions

With every version, Java gains additional functionality, enhanced speed, and security patches. Keep up-to-date with the most recent Java versions and make use of new tools, APIs, and language changes to increase productivity and maintain your competitive edge in the ever-evolving field of software development. Join Infycle Technologies to stay ahead of the curve and sharpen your Java expertise with hands-on training from industry experts.

Explore our blog “Java For Beginners: Your Easy Guide To Java Programming“ and kickstart your coding journey with step-by-step tutorials and expert tips tailored for new developers!

Conclusion

To sum up, understanding these Java best practices is crucial if you want to write stable, dependable, and effective code in 2024 and beyond. You may increase code quality, productivity, and the success of your Java projects by sticking to these standards. To keep up with the fast-paced world of Java development, never stop learning, practicing, and honing your skills.