It's 27th December now, and only a few days have left in the year 2025, one of the years which brings joy and freedom after a couple of years of lockdown. Now, it's time to look back and retrospect on what you have achieved in 2023 and what you could have done better, despite all the challenges 2025 has thrown to all of us. This will also help you to create your goals for 2025. As a programmer, our biggest challenge is to keep ourselves up-to-date. Technology changes very fast, and you will see a new version of programming language and framework coming to every couple of years. This year has plentiful changes with keeping up-to-date with a new Java version every 6 months, Spring 6.0, Spring Security 6.0, and Spring Boot 3; it's probably the busiest year in terms of changes for Java developers.
When I started 2025, I thought Java 17 was new, and before I could finish learning Java 17 thoroughly, Java 21 were already out and Java 22 came on March 2025.
When I started 2025, I thought Java 17 was new, and before I could finish learning Java 17 thoroughly, Java 21 were already out and Java 22 came on March 2025.
All these Java releases since JDK 9 came with a lot of exciting features, like Text Blocks, new HttpClient API, Records, Modules, String in the switch case, var with local variables, API enhancements, GC improvement, Thread Local handshake, and many more. I am really excited to learn those in 2025.
The same goes with the Spring framework and Spring Security, I didn't know all the changes on Spring 6.0 and Spring Security 6.0, my project was still using Spring Security 4, and boom we now have version 6.0 for both Spring and Spring security.
The same goes with the Spring framework and Spring Security, I didn't know all the changes on Spring 6.0 and Spring Security 6.0, my project was still using Spring Security 4, and boom we now have version 6.0 for both Spring and Spring security.
Though this year will be known for AI technologies, LLM like ChatGPT, Google Bard, Gemini, Copilot and all other productivity tools which evolve around AI.
Accordingly I have updated the article and added things like Prompt Engineering, and Cloud Technologies to learn and enhance a Java developer's tool set.
My learning speed has slowed down a little bit in the last couple of years, and I haven't managed to keep myself up-to-date with the latest and greatest like I am yet to master new technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React, most recent changes on unit and integration testing space and new versions of simplified structure, like Spring, Spring Security, and Spring Boot.
So, 2025 will be all about getting myself up-to-date with things that matter most on the technology side like Microservices, improving my toolset chain, and exploring the DevOps and Cloud Computing landscape, particularly on Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
My learning speed has slowed down a little bit in the last couple of years, and I haven't managed to keep myself up-to-date with the latest and greatest like I am yet to master new technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React, most recent changes on unit and integration testing space and new versions of simplified structure, like Spring, Spring Security, and Spring Boot.
So, 2025 will be all about getting myself up-to-date with things that matter most on the technology side like Microservices, improving my toolset chain, and exploring the DevOps and Cloud Computing landscape, particularly on Docker, Kubernetes, and Jenkins with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
What Java Programmers should learn in 2025?
Here is my list of things a Java developer should learn in 2025, there is a good chance that you already know most of them but learning them better and doing deep dive doesn't hurt:1. Git
Git and GitHub have been around some time, and while I have used Git in the past with Eclipse, I am yet to become comfortable with Git on the command line.
Why I haven't mastered Git so far? Simply because I didn't need it yet. I have occasionally downloaded projects from GitHub and run from Eclipse, but I am still a novice with Git.
Since now, most of the companies are migrating their projects from SVN, CVS to Git, it's high time to learn and master Git.
Why I haven't mastered Git so far? Simply because I didn't need it yet. I have occasionally downloaded projects from GitHub and run from Eclipse, but I am still a novice with Git.
Since now, most of the companies are migrating their projects from SVN, CVS to Git, it's high time to learn and master Git.
I have recently purchased the Git Complete: The definitive, step-by-step guide to Git from Udemy on their last 10$ sale, and this would be the first item to complete in 2025.
If you are in the same boat and want to learn Git in 2025, do check out that course from Udemy, it's convenient.
2. Spring Framework 6.0
It's been a couple of years since we had seen many significant upgrades to Spring and Java Ecosystem, and Spring Framework 6.0 is one of them.I have been hearing about some new features like the reactive programming model on Spring 5, the adoption of Java 17, some unit testing improvement, support for JPA Managed type etc. but I have yet to try that.
Anyway, I have already started learning Spring 6.0 and Spring Boot 3.0 by following Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java and will keep the momentum going in 2025. If you use Spring, probably it's the best time to learn Spring 6.0.
If you like books, you can also check out this list of advanced Spring Books for Java developers from Manning and Packt Publications.
Anyway, I have already started learning Spring 6.0 and Spring Boot 3.0 by following Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java and will keep the momentum going in 2025. If you use Spring, probably it's the best time to learn Spring 6.0.
If you like books, you can also check out this list of advanced Spring Books for Java developers from Manning and Packt Publications.
3. Docker and Kubernetes
You’ve probably heard the buzz around Docker and Kubernetes and the impact it has on DevOps teams. You may have at first thought, "ahh, yet another new technology I need to learn", but I will say that Docker is not just another technology but it's truly a game-changer.Along with Kubernetes, It’s one of the most important tools that you can learn and will stay with you throughout your entire career.
Nowadays, Docker and Kubernetes are used by almost every development team, whether it’s a large enterprise or a small startup. It’s safe to say that if you’re entering the workforce now, you’ll most likely brush up against Docker at some point.
In short, whether you are a junior Java developer or an experienced veteran of several years of experience, Having Docker and Kubernetes knowledge is essential for your career progression and job change.
If you have already realized the importance of Kubernetes and looking to learn Kubernetes in 2025 then Docker and Kubernetes: The Practical Guide by AcadMind on Udemy is an excellent course to start with.
If you prefer free resources, like free online courses, then you can also check out this list of free Docker and Kubernetes courses for Java developers to start your journey.
4. New Java Features from JDK 9 to 21
As I have said in the past, I am still struggling to catch up with six-monthly Java releases and many Java developers too. I have spent some time learning new features of Java 9, 10, 11, and 12 this year, but for me, Java 11 is still a priority until I moved to Java 13, which is an LTS release.The JDK 9 brings a lot of goodies in terms of modules, Jigsaw, Reactive Streams, Process API, HTTP2 client, JShell, and API improvements like collection factory methods, and I am really looking forward to learning them at the earliest opportunity.
Similarly, JDK 10 brings var to give you a flavor of dynamic typing and some GC improvement. Then you have Text Blocks and String in the switch case from JDK 17 and JDK 21.
In the last Udemy 10$ sale, I have purchased a host of courses, and one of them is The Complete Java Masterclass, which is updated for Java 17, and I am looking forward to starting my Java 17 journey with that.
Btw, if you have yet to start with JDK 8 then here is my list of favorite Java 8 tutorials and courses which you can free of cost: 10 best tutorials to learn Java 8.
5. Unit testing (JUnit and Mockito)
Another area which I want to improve in the coming year. There are a lot of new frameworks and tools available for Java programmers to unit test, and integration tests their application, like Mockito and PowerMock for mocking objects, Robot Framework, and Cucumber for automated integration test and of course the new and shining JUnit 5 library.There is plenty of stuff to learn on this front. If you can invest some time upgrading your unit testing skill, not only your coding expertise will improve, but also you will become a more professional developer, which every company looks from. To start with, you can check out the JUnit and Mockito Crash Course from Udemy.
6. DevOps (Jenkins)
This is another area where I am seeing a lot of traction last year as more and more companies are moving into DevOps and adopting continuous integration and deployment.DevOps is very vast, and you need to learn a lot of tools and principles, and that's what overwhelms many developers, but you don't need to worry. I have shared a DevOps RoadMap, which you can follow to learn and master DevOps, particularly Jenkins at your own speed.
This means if you are an experienced Java programmer with a passion for managing the environment, automation, and improving overall structure, you can become a DevOps Engineer.
If you are looking for some excellent resources, then Jenkins, From Zero to Hero: Become a DevOps Jenkins Master is a great course to start with, particularly for Java developers.
7. RESTful Web Service
One more thing I want to keep improving in 2025 is my knowledge about writing REST API and implementing secure and scalable RESTful Web Service and Cloud-Native Microservices in Java using Spring.This is one skill that is highly desirable in the Java world, and there are not many people who know both Java and REST well.
If you are also in the same boat and want to learn how to develop RESTful Web Service using Spring, The REST of Spring Masterclass from Eugen Paraschiv is a good starting point.