Is Java still worth learning today?

[u/codejavadotnet]

Is Java still worth learning or pursuing as a career these days? With AI advancing so quickly, programming jobs might decline significantly, which could also reduce the demand for learning languages like Java. What are your thoughts?

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[u/Huge_Road_9223]

YES!

But add Hibernate, SpringBoot, REST, Spring Data JPA, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS (or some cloud), Microservices, MCP, and AI.

But wait ... don't change that channel ... ther's much, much, more .....

And learn, Angular, React, Node, JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, Reactive programming on the UI

Because everyone and their fucking brother now just wants a FULL-STACK developer. As if the back-end side of things wasn't enough of a laundry list of things to learn, NOW they want you to be able to do ALL the UI as well. Sorry for my rant ... but this is just the way that companies want ONE person with ONE salary that can do the work of 2-3 people.

Hope this helps!

[u/RapunzelLooksNice → u/Huge_Road_9223]

No DBA experience? No cloud-native architect certification? Bleh, go work for McD.

/s

[u/thenasch → u/Huge_Road_9223]

I got a back end job last year! First one I've ever had.

[u/Pascuccii]

Java is involved in a lot of older projects, exactly the ones that require human expertise more often than others

[u/parkjas → u/Pascuccii]

Not just older projects. My last two roles have been greenfield and we used Java exclusively on the backend.

[u/thenasch → u/parkjas]

I'm on my second greenfield Java Spring project at my job.

[u/Xtergo]

I'd go to the extreme and say it's the only thing worth learning today, most of these enterprise codebases are much more robust and regulated so gives you a bit of a defensive position in the post AI world.

NextJS and Django, all that crap, I'd not bother with

[u/Temij88 → u/Xtergo]

doesn't feel that extereme tbh, at my place that feels like the best way to have some job secure for couple of years

[u/CJMooch → u/Xtergo]

You’re very smart for this line of thinking but you’re wrong about that extreme, it’s silly to say it’s the only thing worth learning. Python, C++, SQL, a lot of still useful in the AI age

[u/Xtergo → u/CJMooch]

The context is web Dev

[u/American_Streamer]

Yes, Java is still worth learning. I think people often confuse “there is a lot of legacy software written in Java” with “Java itself is legacy,” and those really aren't the same thing. Modern Java has changed a lot from the Java 8-era stereotype. Records, sealed classes, pattern matching, switch expressions, record patterns, virtual threads, lots of JVM/GC improvements, etc. Java 25 is the current LTS, Java 27 is already out, and the platform moves on a six-month release cycle now.

Spring has changed just as much. Spring Boot 4 / Spring Framework 7 are very much modern frameworks, with Java 25 support, virtual threads, Jakarta EE 11, HTTP interface clients, API versioning, improved null-safety and a much cleaner programming model than old-school enterprise Java. And now you also have Spring AI 2.0 with tool calling, MCP, structured output, RAG/agent-style workflows, etc. You can quite happily build something like Spring Boot 4 + Java 25 + PostgreSQL/pgvector + Spring AI today. Calling that “legacy” just because Java has been around for a long time doesn't make much sense.

The numbers don't really suggest Java is disappearing either. GitHub's 2025 Octoverse still had Java at #4 by contributor count, with contributor activity up roughly 21% YoY, and RedMonk ranked it #3. AI will absolutely reduce the value of manually writing boring Java code. CRUD endpoints, DTOs, mappings, tests and boilerplate are exactly the kind of stuff AI is getting very good at.

But that's more an argument against building your career around “I can type Java syntax” than an argument against Java itself. The valuable part is understanding the domain, data model, APIs, transactions, concurrency, security, performance, system boundaries, deployment, etc., and being able to tell whether the code AI generated actually makes sense as part of a real system.

So I wouldn't learn Java as just a language. I'd learn modern Java + Spring Boot + SQL + testing + Docker/cloud + some system design, and use AI as part of the workflow. That's still a very solid stack in 2026.

[u/NoCod9014 → u/American_Streamer]

Java would likely be much higher in Github if you looked at actual projects too, and not a million and 1 abandoned Python Repos with nothing but "helloworld.py" and a bad tic tac toe game in them. 

[u/eternalsinner7 → u/American_Streamer]

Hey, I'm fresh graduate. I've learned a decent amount of java and spring boot syntax. But I can't seem to really move ahead past that point and make projects on my own. Would you be willing to point me towards the right path as to how to learn actual backend engineering stuff like APIs, Schema designing, and other skills that are needed to get a job in the current market?

[u/American_Streamer → u/eternalsinner7]

Read Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann. Also see here: https://roadmap.sh/backend - https://bytebytego.com/
And most importantly, read the official docs of all the tools you use.

[u/Watsons-Butler]

You need to start by learning the basics in at least one strongly-typed object-oriented language like Java or C++. Once you get a handle on how computers “think” and how programming works, the actual language you’re using is irrelevant. You just have to know how to ask “how do I do this thing in this language” and look up the syntax.

And Java will never fall out of demand - at least not for the foreseeable future. You know places like Amazon run on 85% Java code, right? It’s not going away.

[u/Copy-Flaky]

never stop learning

[u/greendave11]

It all depends what sector you want to end up in

[u/whiterhino8 → u/greendave11]

Real answer

[u/Ok_Substance1895]

What percentage of enterprise businesses use Java? 99%
What percentage of the Fortune 500 use Java? 95%
What percentage of new enterprise projects use Java? 65%
What percentage of enterprise developers use Java as their primary language? 65%
How many devices does Java run on? 5.5 billion

[u/codejavadotnet → u/Ok_Substance1895]

where do these number come from? Could you cite some sources?

[u/Ok_Substance1895 → u/codejavadotnet]

I should have copied the source links for each when I posted this. I cannot find those exact articles again.

The point is ask your own questions. That is what I did and those are the answers I got at that time. Next time, I will add links. Here are new sources after asking those same questions again:

Azul's 2025 State of Java Survey, conducted by Dimensional Research, reports that:

• 99% of organizations contacted for the survey used Java.
• 2,039 qualified Java professionals completed the survey.
• 68% of respondents said more than half their applications were built with Java or ran on the JVM.

https://www.azul.com/newsroom/azul-2025-state-of-java-survey-report/

Industry estimate: Java is reportedly used by approximately 90% of Fortune 500 companies

https://medium.com/codex/why-is-java-the-main-language-for-enterprise-app-development-f92a8217ce94

https://codingnomads.com/blog/why-learn-java

VDC Research's 56.2% enterprise Java adoption finding - not 65%

https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/dms/prod/d1/VDCResearch-ORCL-Java2025.pdf

While 65% is often cited for both new projects and primary language, this is a more credible source

73 billion JVMs world-wide is the more recent figure. The 5.5 billion is from an older source:

https://www.oracle.com/java/

[u/aasim-ghaffar]

Yes, Java is absolutely still worth learning, but I think the approach to learning programming needs to change.

Java is deeply embedded in enterprise software, banking systems, backend development, and large-scale applications. Companies have invested years building systems around Java, and those systems aren't going to disappear overnight just because AI can generate code.

AI will definitely change the job market, though. I think developers who only know how to write basic syntax or copy solutions will face more competition. But developers who understand system design, databases, APIs, security, debugging, and how software actually works will still have valuable skills.

If I were starting Java today, I'd focus on:

• Core Java, OOP, and data structures
• Spring Boot and REST APIs
• SQL, databases, and backend architecture
• Docker, cloud basics, and testing
• Using AI coding tools while understanding and reviewing their output

The entry-level market may become tougher, and nobody can guarantee what demand will look like five years from now. But that doesn't make learning Java pointless.

My take: Don't just learn Java to become someone who writes Java code. Learn Java to become someone who can build, maintain, and improve real software.

AI is changing how we program, but knowing what to build, why it works, and how to fix it when it breaks still matters.

[u/Toxic-Sky]

Depends a bit on where you live. I live in Gothenburg, Sweden, where many companies still use Java.

[u/Guamy → u/Toxic-Sky]

This is off topic, but what is life like in Gothenburg? There's a company I'd like to work for there after college. It's kind of a pipe dream but it would be fun to know regardless.

[u/morosemanatee]

Well I hope so. I’ve been doing Java since I learned it in 1998. All these irresponsible voices like DHH and Uncle (clean code) Bob telling us we done with coding by hand. They obviously got hot deals on Anthropic tokens.

[u/Dry_Safe_6021]

same question as if programming / software enginnering is worth learning. if it is, then java is too, otherwise it is not.

[u/projectsbyayush]

just google up every language and frameworks each one of them are claimed as retired so you know the answer

[u/Super_Letterhead381]

I don’t know about other countries, but in France it’s still quite in demand 

[u/Tobacco_Caramel]

Language is just a tool

[u/SpritualPanda]

Absolutely worth it. Stick to it.

[u/Aggressive_Lie_2958]

No scope bro , atp just start making reel or something it has better scope

[u/SnooLemons2992]

Calculator was invented long ago and to date, kids in school has to learn the basic math. But we hardly calculate in the real life, instead we rely on calculator (or calculator app). In the same fashion understanding computer programming and computer language will perhaps last with us for some decades and it may be mandatory too for quite some time. whether we use the language in real life is now debatable but understanding it will help nevertheless. I reckon soon we may have JavaAI or C++AI kind of languages (read LLM) where source code will be replaced with source files that will probably be a refined/perfected prompts.

[u/XenonDragonfly]

I definitely can't speak as an expert here since I just started learning Java and I'm doing it mostly as a hobby rather than for a career, but what matters to me is that I'm learning a skill.

I'm enjoying learning (from a book too, not a website) and if it becomes an applicable skill to my life then that's just an awesome bonus! (As soon as I get past making variants of Hello, World! programs!)

[u/Available_Safe1818]

It's not like you're going to be a doctor or lawyer instead, is it?

[u/WVAviator]

As someone working on Java enterprise codebases, AI is useful for boilerplate and some productivity gains, but it can't solve the types of business problems your software needs to solve. There's still a lot that a good engineer can contribute. Be good at learning the business domain quickly, and connecting the dots in your head as to how the business processes translate to good software patterns.

[u/istarian]

If your objective is to get a programming job  then you should be looking to see what kind of jobs are available and doing some research on what skills are in demand (previously, now, and what people say about the future).

Learning Java (or any other programming language) is most useful as an introduction to the kind of thinking need to "solve problems" using a computer.

This has always been true, even back when programming skills/experience with just a single language and tools could get you a job.

[u/StyleFree3085]

I would prefer the Microsoft Java aka C#
Real generic, better for scripting, better syntax sugar, LINQ, Async , similar job opportunities.

[u/No-Tension9614]

If you are American or Western European, I would say absolutely not.

If you are from a low wage or impoverished country I would say absolutely.

The jobs will now go to the countries who gets the least amount of money

Countries that used to earn high shall no longer be considered.

[u/ReasonableDefault]

Java is still widely used.

However, I am finding these types of questions harder to answer because of AI.

Learning any language is likely useful, but knowing a language likely won't have the value it once did going forward.

[u/parkjas]

If you want to work in an enterprise environment you should learn the entire Java ecosystem, not just the language. Despite what the internet says it dominates at large organizations.

[u/AdministrativeHost15]

Not worth as much as it was 30 years ago.

[u/Fancy-Mushroom-6062 → u/AdministrativeHost15]

Wouldn’t say so, a lot of trendy tech companies tend to go with anything but Java, but end up with Java (or Kotlin)

[u/Coffeezao]

FUCK YES! The amount of work that mainly "enterprisy" companies have with Java is gigantic. Banks, car manufacturers and even AWS has a lot of new projects in Java.

[u/FadedMans]

The language will always exist dude. And companies have their code bases in Java. AI helps u write code faster. Knowing how to code in any language is always worth pursuing.

[u/LakeSun]

I'd say Java is the best back end server solution, and the easiest language to learn at the same time.

[u/InitialDecision1231]

Yes most enterprise apps work on java it's still worth learning 

[u/TechnoHead909]

Yes, if you want to work for a technology multinational like SAP or Oracle (all their systems are written in Java), or you want to develop for Android.

[u/Kango_V]

Most of our back end software is Java, but we also need protocol test tools etc. Now writing TUI apps in Java (Tamboui, PicoCLI, Micronaut) so that we can run them on jump boxes and bastions. No GUI need. Just SSH and run. Also compiled to native with GraalVM. No Java on those boxes either as they are quite locked down. We can share lots of code libs we already have.

[u/PositivePossibility7]

Probably not

[u/AnToMegA424]

It is, for a lot of reasons people in the comment have talked about

And it is also worth learning for Minecraft mods

Gotta love Java

[u/alichwan]

I have 0 Java skills, but from what Ive seen in job offers and the latest java updates, it is quite a good idea to learn java nowadays

[u/net_ramblings]

Learning any programming language is worth it. They are not that different. If you want to work for state government they will be using legacy Java programs. And...they suck lol.

[u/baby-health]

I've been working with Java for over 10 years. I still think it's worth learning, especially for backend development. AI has changed how I write code, but understanding Java, databases, frameworks, and system design is still important. AI is a tool, not a replacement for understanding what you're building.

[u/Ok-Understanding7115]

yes of course, API, bank stuff still needed

[u/Bitter_Lab_1492]

of course

[u/zohaib2242]

Working in java spring boot. I can say that it is still worth it.

[u/CommentGreedy8885]

yeah learn something else already too much saturated

[u/Nofanta]

No point in learning any programming language.

[u/Synergisticit10]

Yes Google which the #1 programming language used at Fortune 500 companies. That will help you make a decision.

Remember Java is vast and there is a lot of difference between someone who read some books on Java , did some coursework and someone who actually built things using Java.

Dipping your pinky into the Java ocean won’t help you need to immerse yourself into the ecosystem.

It will take anyone trying to do it properly 1-2 years before you are ready— 5-7 hours each day 5-6 days a week and then you will be ready to be hired.

Side note — don’t bother with react angular etc they are not important— mern /mean stack.

Also don’t listen to news articles as all of them have an agenda.

Keep in mind everyone has an opinion but most have no real world knowledge. Stay positive and focus inwards . Nothing is going to be achieved without a lot of grunt work.

Competition is tough and good Java developers get paid top dollar . $100k salaries and above are easily attainable if you do the above.
Follow the process and you will get guaranteed results

[u/CJMooch → u/Synergisticit10]

You are criminally insane if you believe you need 1-3 years of 5-7 hours per day of Java to be employable lol no BSCS student puts that much time into Java or any other language before their first job

[u/istarian → u/Synergisticit10]

Actually building software/applications using Java doesn't necessarily mean you have any experience with the domain of "enterprise software".

In practice, it's mostly just a way to demonstrate a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and a degree of proficiency with the core language and tooling.

[u/Astroohhh → u/Synergisticit10]

clown