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Java Developers Are Hot Commodities In L.A.'s Tech Field

In 2014, Java became the most popular programming language in operation. This interpretive platform allows computer users to search the Internet in straightforward and guarded fashion. According to current employment data, Java developers in Los Angeles are wired for success, earning an average annual salary of more than $92,000.

LA-Tech
(Photo Courtesy of Dr. Adam Kaplan)

"Los Angeles is home to a variety of programming opportunities, ranging from the fast pace of web and mobile startups to the more deliberate pace of the established financial and aerospace industries," said Dr. Adam Kaplan, an assistant professor of computer science at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). "Java is a useful language across this entire spectrum."

Kaplan said CSUN is meticulous in its quest to prepare impassioned developers for a lucrative career in this advantageous field.

"We provide students with three introductory semesters of Java programming, and also offer senior elective courses in web engineering and mobile computing," said Kaplan, who earned his Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA. "These courses expose prospective Java developers to a variety of computing domains, making them more employable."

What pivotal advancements have you seen since 2010?

"In 2010, Android devices began to dominate the mobile marketplace. This has led to a resurgence of demand for Java programmers."

What is your outlook for coming years?

"In the next eight to ten years, the number of programmable devices will proliferate, with smart TVs, light controls, thermostats and ovens joining smart phones and tablets in the consumer marketplace. Java developers will need to be increasingly aware of each platform's specific features and limitations, and capable of securing the end-user from malicious attacks."

What defines an accomplished Java developer?

"A successful Java developer must learn how to efficiently read through and understand tens-to-hundreds of thousands of source-code lines, and know how to apply the right data structures to the task at hand."

What is your advice for aspiring Java developers?

"I suggest picking an area of specialization, such as web services or mobile and desktop applications, and practicing within this area by programming one project after another. Mastery of programming can only be learned through extensive practice."

Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.

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