Software programming languages

Software programming languages are crucial communication lines between programs. Get the lates news on Java programming languages, Java alternatives and software languages. Find tips, expert responses, webcasts, podcasts or features related to software programming languages.

Top Stories

Tip 27 Jan 2023
How developers can avoid remote work scams

Software developers can find good remote programming jobs, but some job offers are too good to be true. Follow these tips to spot remote job scams. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Jul 2022
Is HTML a programming language?

Unlike Java, Python or C, HTML is not a programming language because it lacks variables, conditional statements or iterative loops. But so what? HTML has a bigger role to play. Continue Reading

Tutorial 11 Dec 2018

Avoid boilerplate code with this typable Spring beans tutorial

Java is always criticized for being bloated. But there are ways to minimize all the fill-in code. This Spring beans tutorial shows you how to write more efficient applications. Continue Reading
Blog Post 01 Dec 2018

Benefits of lambda expressions in Java make the move to a newer JDK worthwhile

Developers continue to be impressed by the list of benefits lambda expressions in Java bring to their development cycles. Here we look at why Java developers love lambdas. Continue Reading
Opinion 14 Nov 2018

Is it a mistake to teach Java as a first programming language?

Is it right to teach Java to students as an introductory programming language? If not, what are the alternatives to Java when it comes to learning how to code? Continue Reading
Blog Post 01 Nov 2018

Ballerina language promises to improve app integration

The Ballerina language, promises to streamline integration development for enterprise apps. Continue Reading
Blog Post 23 Oct 2018

Lamenting the death of JavaOne at Oracle Code One 2018

The JavaOne conference is no more, but that doesn’t mean we can’t lament its death at the new Oracle Code One conference in San Francisco. Continue Reading
Video 09 Oct 2018

How to use the Jenkins Git Plugin: Tips and tricks

Being able to pull from a source code repository is a given, but here are five features the Jenkins Git Plugin makes available to your build jobs that you didn't even know were there. Continue Reading
Definition 08 Oct 2018

Java Development Kit (JDK)

The Java Development Kit (JDK) provides the foundation upon which all applications that are targeted toward the Java platform are built. Continue Reading
Video 28 Sep 2018

Tough sample DevOps interview questions and answers to tackle

Interested in applying for that DevOps engineer position? Then take a look at these tough, sample DevOps interview questions and answers, and see how well you are prepared. Continue Reading
News 29 Aug 2018

Developers favor JVM languages for mobile, enterprise

A recent RedMonk report finds more developers use programming languages that run on the Java Virtual Machine to build mobile and enterprise apps. Continue Reading
Video 25 Aug 2018

Tough sample Jenkins interview questions and answers for DevOps engineers

Applying for an engineering job where continuous integration is part of the description? Here are 10 tough Jenkins interview questions to prepare you for the DevOps engineering interview. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Jul 2018

Meaning of inversion of control in Spring and Java: IoC explained

What is inversion of control, and why has inversion of control in Spring and Java become such a core development concept? Continue Reading
Quiz 24 Jul 2018

Ten Jenkins quiz questions to test your install and config IQ

Here are 10 Jenkins questions designed to test your knowledge of the build tool. Think you know continuous integration well? Take this Jenkins quiz, and find out if you do. Continue Reading
Blog Post 17 Jul 2018

Get started with GoLang maps: A tutorial

Object oriented programming has been the standard for years, but more and more use cases are demanding a functional programming approach to solving problems. In this tutorial, we will look at ... Continue Reading
Video 10 Jul 2018

Jenkins parameterized build example with String and Boolean parameters

It's easy to customize your Jenkins jobs when you add parameters to the build. This Jenkins parameterized build example with Boolean and String parameters is the first step to a fresh continuous integration pipeline. Continue Reading
Blog Post 25 Jun 2018

An introduction to Scala functional programming

Object-oriented programming has been the standard for years, but more and more use cases are demanding a functional programming approach to solving problems. In this tutorial, we will look at Scala ... Continue Reading
Blog Post 15 Jun 2018

Introduction to Scala for enterprise Java developers

This introduction to Scala programming will introduce you to a new way to program one the JVM. Scala rides atop the Java virtual machine. In compiles into Java bytecode. It can be packaged in Jar ... Continue Reading
Tutorial 11 Jun 2018

Jenkins environment variables list for shell script build jobs

The Jenkins environment variables list outlines the various properties that developers can inject into advanced Jenkins shell scripts and batch programs. Continue Reading
Definition 17 Apr 2018

JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that started off simply as a mechanism to add logic and interactivity to an otherwise static Netscape browser. Continue Reading
Feature 16 Apr 2018

The best web programming languages for development

Many technologies have emerged to facilitate browser-based development. Here, we look at those technologies in an effort to identify the best web programming languages of today. Continue Reading
Blog Post 11 Apr 2018

Borderless blockchain collaboration to change how software is developed

A new borderless, blockchain collaboration talent pool could be the revolutionary force that resets the ground for both gaming industry players and developers. Continue Reading
Blog Post 08 Mar 2018

Acts of discrimination lets gender inequality in technology go unresolved

While great efforts have been made to encourage both men and women to enter into STEM related fields, ongoing acts of discrimination against women makes gender inequality in technology a problem ... Continue Reading
News 16 Feb 2018

Pluralsight IQ, Stack Overflow boost developer street cred

Tying the Pluralsight IQ skills test to the Stack Overflow Developer Story helps developers measure their technical skills and better highlight them for jobs. Continue Reading
Blog Post 30 Jan 2018

Developers, learn from the iPhone battery glitch

Apple is undeserving of the backlash they have suffered. The battery update is a good feature that will extend a phone's life. It's not planned obselecense. Continue Reading
Opinion 04 Jan 2018

Be wary of DevOps evangelists preaching a culture change

There are many reasons to adopt DevOps, and there are many challenges involved in getting it right. But don't buy into the culture myth that many DevOps evangelists are selling. Continue Reading
Opinion 15 Dec 2017

The problem with bitcoin and blockchain technology

It's not just bitcoin's prodigious appetite -- it uses as much energy as the country of Slovenia. Security scares and long transaction times cast doubt on its viability. Continue Reading
News 01 Aug 2017

Coding Dojo adds full-stack Java developer course, drops Rails

Programming boot camp Coding Dojo has abandoned its Ruby on Rails training courses and launched higher-demand, full-stack Java developer courses for job seekers. Continue Reading
Feature 25 Jul 2017

React and Angular frameworks speeding up JavaScript performance

New JavaScript frameworks, like React and Angular, are changing the way web and mobile UIs are developed, with performance being one of their strongest traits. Continue Reading
Blog Post 14 Jul 2017

The importance of developing Virtual Reality applications

Find out why the director of design at Singularity University Labs believes virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are important new interfaces that developers need to start building for ... Continue Reading
Feature 10 Jul 2017

Effective approaches to mentoring women in tech

Mentoring women and men alike is a great way to enhance the talent of existing employees. Here are some ideas on how to make mentorship efforts effective for everyone, with an emphasis on inclusion for all. Continue Reading
News 29 Jun 2017

IBM, Lightbend team up on cognitive application development platform

IBM and Lightbend join forces to help bring microservices to IBM's WebSphere platform, with new Scala- and Java-based tools for cognitive application development. Continue Reading
Feature 19 Jun 2017

How cheap eye tracking software changes the app development game

Find out what the advent of low-cost eye tracking software means for the future of both marketing and application development. Continue Reading
Opinion 01 May 2017

Software ethics and why 'Uber developer' stains a professional resume

After all of the playboy antics of the CEO, along with the unethical practices of fingerprinting and geofencing, the term 'Uber developer' is a stain on any professional resume. Continue Reading
Opinion 11 Apr 2017

Is fear-mongering driving the adoption of microservices and containers?

Nobody questions the importance of microservices and containers, but is unfettered advocacy becoming problematic? Continue Reading
Tip 07 Feb 2017

Optimize PHP with finely tuned IT resources and settings

Application ops should address the elephant in the room -- poorly optimized PHP -- to speed load and processing times. Continue Reading
Blog Post 17 Nov 2016

Three things you didn’t know about Golang, NoSql, and Cloud

The tech evolution is occurring so rapidly that yesterday’s opinions are often invalid today. Here's some currently valid insights into Golang, NoSQL and Cloud Continue Reading
Feature 29 Sep 2016

How embedded technologies are enabling the Internet of Things (IOT)

From wearable devices to internet connected devices called NodeBots, embedded technologies are enabling the development of all of the cool, new devices that are colloquially being referred to as the Internet of Things (IOT). Continue Reading
Opinion 22 Aug 2016

The reasons the COBOL language is irrelevant -- and why Java's okay

Word in the Java community is that it is slowly becoming outdated. Some beg to differ, including those who suggest that COBOL is the dying language. Continue Reading
Opinion 12 Aug 2016

Could someone please provide a proper toString() method implementation?

Why is it that twenty years after the release of Java, the lapidary toString() method still spits out nothing more than a useless hashcode? Continue Reading
Blog Post 07 Aug 2016

A cheat sheet for Java exceptions

A collection of tips and insights for handling Java exceptions Continue Reading
Feature 25 Jul 2016

The right language for microservice orchestration and development

As organizations create a microservices-based component architecture, many wonder which programming language to choose for microservice orchestration. Continue Reading
Blog Post 12 Jul 2016

Choose your own adventure: Ottinger's advice about simple code and complex models

Java programs shouldn't read like a choose your own adventure novel. Joe Ottinger espouses the value of both advancing the language and keeping things simple. Continue Reading
Blog Post 05 Jul 2016

About the blog

Community driven content discussing all aspects of software development from DevOps to design patterns. Continue Reading
Feature 06 Jun 2016

Java's lambda syntax rigidity exposes spoiled programmer's frailties

Consternation over Java's lambda syntax is the perfect example of how Java's evolution and incremental improvements have created a community of spoiled programmers. Continue Reading
Feature 24 May 2016

Best programming languages for enterprise development

There's no shortage of choice when selecting the best programming languages for back-end apps. Learn what the ultimate decision depends on. Continue Reading
Feature 23 May 2016

Why Java is the most popular programming language

Roger Smith examines why 20 years after its release, Java tops the TIOBE index as the most popular programming language. Continue Reading
Feature 11 May 2016

Excellent programming is about function, not form

Are language architects, or would-be language architects, doing a disservice to Java by overthinking it? Let's not over-design our object models. After all, being fancy isn't their primary function. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

How to use Java conditional statements effectively

Our first tutorial on learning Java left room for improvement. Here are ways to use Java's if, else and switch statements more effectively. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

Comparing Java and JavaScript: Advanced conditional logic

How do the conditional logic semantics of Java and JavaScript compare? In a browser versus JVM language comparison, this is one place where the two languages are very similar. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

This Java programming example will help you learn the language

Learning Java in a way that is both fun and effective is possible. In this tutorial, we take a problem-based approach to developing a stand-alone Java application. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

Learning modern programming languages like Ruby made easy

Interested in learning Scala, Ruby, Java or JavaScript? Do you want to learn one of these modern programming languages quickly? Here's a strategy to help you do just that. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

Learning Ruby for Java developers: A comparative tutorial

This comparative tutorial helps you learn how to program in Ruby, while also showing differences and similarities with Java. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

How to perform conditional logic effectively with Ruby

Our first Ruby versus Java tutorial offered some refactoring opportunities. Here we look at using Ruby's if, elsif and case statement more efficiently. Continue Reading
Tutorial 29 Jan 2016

Understanding JavaScript for the Java developer

After writing a simple application in a Java tutorial, we now move to the world of JavaScript, contrasting the languages to make the learning process easier. Continue Reading
Feature 13 Jan 2016

Why learning Scala, JavaScript and Ruby will make you a better Java developer

Obviously a JVM stack developer is going to know Java. But in this world of polyglot programming, knowing a bit of JavaScript, Ruby and Scala as well is a must. In fact, it might even make you a better Java developer. Continue Reading
Feature 04 Jan 2016

Java APIs to bridge the gap between today and future development efforts

At JavaOne 2015, a big topic of conversation was APIs and API development. In the IBM keynote, the promise was that an evolutionary approach to API development will help modern day developers pass the torch to those doing development in the future. Continue Reading
Feature 22 Dec 2015

The benefits of integrating blockchains into distributed enterprise architectures

Blockchains aren't just for Silk Roaders paying with Bitcoins. Integrating blockchains into a distributed enterprise architectures has many benefits. Continue Reading
Feature 10 Dec 2015

These new features in PHP 7 will convince you to do an upgrade

There have been some significant improvements to the PHP language. In this article we show you how to take advantage of them, and potentially convince you to do an upgrade and migrate to the new version. Continue Reading
Feature 10 Nov 2015

Containers and microservices take center stage as Devoxx 2015 kicks off

Containers like Docker, and microservice development, are the big topics at Devoxx 2015, but with more session rooms than every, there's plenty of other great fare for Java professionals. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Nov 2015

Valhalla and value types to change the way developers code in Java

In 2014, just as Java 8 was released, JavaOne was looking towards the future and talking about what was coming with Java 9. In 2015, Java 9 is still in the future, but that hasn't stopped the architects at Oracle from prognosticating about what might get included in Java 10. Continue Reading
News 29 Oct 2015

Stop complaining and get yourself on the latest JDK release

At JavaOne 2015, Georges Saab, Oracle VP of software development, had some advice to those experiencing development pains with earlier versions of the JDK release. Continue Reading
News 28 Oct 2015

Performance upgrades and feature enhancements typify incremental Java releases

There may not have been a major Java release since last year, but at JavaOne2015, there are still plenty of performance upgrades and feature enhancements for platform architects to boast about. Continue Reading
News 15 Oct 2015

Barry Burd's guide to the best sessions to attend at JavaOne 2015

Going to JavaOne this year? Wondering which sessions to attend? Conference veteran Barry Burd is here to help guide your way through Oracle's big conference in San Francisco. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Sep 2015

Introducing Amazon Echo - Adding voice recognition to your Java programs

Want to add voice recognition to your Java apps? You can do it with Amazon echo. Continue Reading
News 20 May 2015

DevOps software development promise aided by OpenStack

The promise of DevOps software development is being helped along by OpenStack, which is creating more opportunities for automation of operations. Continue Reading
News 20 May 2015

New to OpenStack: Learn these 5 cloud computing terms

Newcomers to OpenStack and the OpenStack conference will fit right in if they become familiar with these five cloud computing terms. Continue Reading
Feature 07 May 2015

A new approach to condensing data leads to a 99% compression rate

Given the enormous thirst for data, coupled with the finite existence of copper and fiber optic cables that link clients and servers together, the need for powerful compression algorithms is self-evident. Has XLABS solved the problem with a 99% rate? They just may have. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Apr 2015

Who are the heroes of the tech world?

TheServerSide has spoken with many up and coming stalwarts in the industry, and what we wanted to know was who they looked up to as thought leaders and heroes. The names they picked might surprise you. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Apr 2015

Google's Project X: Solving the worlds problems, one moon-shot at a time

Using the ambitious plans to put humans on the moon as a source of inspiration, Google is asking young minds to come up with their own 'moon-shots' that approach solving important problems in new and creative ways. Continue Reading
News 23 Jan 2015

Google's Solve for X Program nears this year's final round

Interested in solving the worlds greatest problems? Well, Google is, and if you want Google to give some of your solutions a little attention, then getting in on their Solve for X program is a must. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Jan 2015

Can a pattern become an anti-pattern? How to avoid the loose coupling mistake

Nobody is debating the benefits of loose-coupling, but far too many SOA architects take the practice too far. Make sure you know when loose-coupling makes sense, and more importantly, when it doesn't. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Jan 2015

Will value types and structured arrays be Java 9's cap feather?

Scalability and performance are always issues that dog the Java platform. But with so many lessons learned from languages like Scala and Clojure, will Java 9 take on these scalability issues by introducing immutable types like structured arrays and value types? Continue Reading
Feature 12 Jan 2015

Cloud based IDEs continue to mature, changing the software development process

There has always been talk of doing software development in the cloud, but the reality has been far from the promise. But recent improvements are changing attitudes, enticing developers to change their software development process. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Oct 2014

Choosing the right log aggregator to mine your performance data

To maintain and improve an existing system, being able to read and understand log files is an absolute requirement. Here we look at how various logging technologies compare with each other. Continue Reading
Tutorial 19 Jul 2014

An introduction to template building with Facelets, CSS, HTML and JSF 2.2

Facelets is a great technology for creating templates for websites and then adding dynamic functionality. In this tutorial, we will introduce the idea of creating a template page with CSS, HTML, JavaScript and JavaServer Faces 2.2 (JSF). Continue Reading
Feature 06 Jul 2014

The challenge of tagging for analytics in a world of unstructured text

Many organizations are managing massive amounts of information in their big data systems, but handling that inflow, and making it make sense is a massive challenge. Tagging is one solution, but how does one tag unstructured text? It's a problem that is slowly being solved. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Mar 2014

Top five reasons why Scala might not be the right choice for your next project

There is a time and a place for everything, but is it the right time to use Scala in your next project? Sometimes sober second thought is a good thing, so if you're thinking about moving to Scala, here are a few warnings you might want to heed. Continue Reading
Tutorial 22 Jul 2013

Enums versus Exceptions: An new, Agile approach to application error handling

As Agile teams recognize the overhead of using throwable objects, the enums versus exceptions debate is beginning to rage, but smart developers know that using enums means better error handling. Continue Reading
Tutorial 20 Jul 2013

Top ways that Java enums can simplify the software development process

Introduced in Java 5, the enum has become an effective tool in simplifying software development in Java. But not every developer is using the enum construct to its fullest. This article will demonstrate interesting and unique ways to simplify application development through the use of enums. Continue Reading
Tutorial 23 Apr 2013

How 'big data' solved the content management (CMS) problem

Content management systems that need to sift through huge amounts of data are big data problems in need of a solution. Fortunately, projects like Hadoop and MapReduce are coming to the rescue. Continue Reading
Tip 14 Apr 2013

Software requirements and expectation management key to project success

Many shun the task of properly documenting a system, but successful projects know that effective requirements docs lead to better expectation management and a greater degree of success. Continue Reading
Tip 21 Mar 2013

Tradeoff management key to successful software development techniques

To successfully develop software, tradeoffs must be made in cost, quality and time. Proper tradeoff management results in quality software. Continue Reading
Tip 06 Mar 2013

Effective Naming Strategies for RESTful Web Services

New descriptive languages like WADL and WSDL 2.0 are making it possible to describe the RESTful contract to client applications. However, if your RESTful web services are not named effectively, the mechanism for describing the interface may run out of steam. Continue Reading
Feature 06 Mar 2013

How Headless Android is Impacting Embedded Systems Development

Given the fact that Android is targetted towards the smartphone market, you wouldn't expect any significant interest in Android from the embedded market. However, making Android 'headless', and working with it on an embedded device has a variety of compelling use cases, and accordingly it is becomming ever more popular. Continue Reading
Feature 21 Feb 2013

Mobile ALM guidance: Android and iOS development is not ‘business as usual’

Mobile development presents new challenges to architects and solution developers, but guidance on the topic of mobile ALM (application lifecycle management) is lacking, and the industry is looking for answers. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Feb 2013

Effective API development: How to create a beautiful Java API

There's an art to creating a beautiful Java API. Here we examine the art of effective API development with Layer 7's Mike Amundsen. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Nov 2012

Collaboration and transparency: The keys to successful application development

Ubuntu moves forward by harnessing the power of the open source community. It's a model that is extremely dissimilar to what we see in enterprise development, but there are allegories between the two. Here, we take a look at what enterprise development shops can learn from the community process. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Aug 2012

How cloud computing is impacting enterprise Java developers

How do cloud computing technologies impact the day-to-day development patterns of typical Java developers? Continue Reading
Feature 08 Aug 2012

What type of software development professional do you need?

Be it an agile team or a company using a waterfall type of development process, your application development team needs an assortment of different skills and skillsets. Here we look at the various types professionals that make up the typical application development team. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Jun 2012

Scaling Web applications with Scala, Clojure and Groovy

Scaling Web applications written in Java can be difficult due to thread concurrency and locking issues. However, immutable peripheral languages like Scala, Groovy, and Clojure can make scaling up more feasible. Continue Reading
Feature 22 Mar 2012

Project documentation and Agile development

Agile development has been very effective at reducing the need for extensive, ponderous documentation. However, this methodology has not done away with the need for documentation entirely. It has simply moved documentation from a foundational role to a supportive role. Continue Reading
Tip 26 Jan 2012

Java 7 and the intricacies of safe and unsafe casting

One of the problems with casting is that it does have the potential to cause a loss of precision, especially if the number that gets cast does indeed fall outside of the range of the target type. Here we will explain why this happens. Continue Reading
Feature 26 Jan 2012

Has Computer Programming Really Changed Much Since Lovelace's Time?

Everyone always talks about these new computer programming languages, and how great one is over the other. But really, has computer programming really changed that much over time? Continue Reading
Tutorial 12 Jan 2012

New Java 7 Features: How to Use a More Precise Rethrow in Exceptions from Project Coin

Afficionados of other languages such as Scala or Clojure are always slagging the fact that Java is too verbose and cumbersome. So, it's not too surprising to find out that Java 7 introduced a number of new facilities that can help to trim down the code an application developer is required to write. Continue Reading
Tutorial 22 Dec 2011

New Java 7 Features: A Numeric Underscores with Literals Tutorial

If you're doing the OCPJP upgrade exam, or just hitting the full blown OCPJP 7 Java certification, you need to know the ins and outs of the new language features. One fun and friendly syntax introduced with Java 7 is using numeric underscores. It's also an objective on the OCPJP7 exam: Using Numeric Underscores with Literals Continue Reading
Tutorial 15 Dec 2011

New Java 7 Features: Binary Notation and Literal Variable Initialization

Now with Java 7, you can not only use standard decimal notation, or the beloved hex notation, but you can use binary notation as well. Here's a good look at the ins and outs of binary notation, with a focus on what you'll need to know in order to pass the Java Professional certification exam from Oracle. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Nov 2011

Adding MVEL to the Java Developers Toolkit

By now you should be thoroughly convinced that as a Java developer you cannot afford to leave MVEL out of your toolbox, and that it fills a unique gap between complete programming environments like Groovy and Scala and expression languages like OGNL and JUEL. Continue Reading
Feature 04 Nov 2011

Modularizing the Hibernate SessionFactory with the Spring framework

This paper outlines a method for modular application development using Spring and Hibernate. The approach described has similarities to the OSGi or Spring DM approach. Continue Reading
News 26 Oct 2011

Spring 3 testing with JUnit 4

Looking on the Internet for a way to test my Spring 3 application, I found many articles that describe how to test your application by using JUnit. Most of them are incomplete examples that do not really work. With this article I will try to fill this gap and write a concise yet simple article on how to test a spring 3 application with JUnit 4. Continue Reading
News 23 Sep 2011

Weaving process with aspectj and spring-aspects using Maven

An important concept of aspect programming is the process of weaving. An aspect weaver takes information from raw classes and aspects and creates new classes with the aspect code appropriately weaved into the classes. In this post, learn how to modify a pom file so the compilation process also weaves aspect code into classes. Continue Reading
News 29 Aug 2011

How Scala changed the way I think about my Java Code

Some people advocate their preferred language as the only way to enlightenment and productivity boosts. I don’t believe it. There are others that tell you the language doesn’t matter - at least not between languages like Scala and Java. I think they are wrong as well. Although I don’t actually use Scala during my day job, it does affect my Java Coding. Continue Reading