The popularity of Java and its rather bright prospects for the near future are forcing programmers who specialize in other programming languages to think about switching to Java. We will talk about this in this article - from which languages programmers most often switch to Java, does such a transition make sense from a career point of view, and how to do it most quickly and efficiently. 
What languages are most often converted to Java?
To begin with, let's briefly go over those programming languages from which people most often switch to Java, as well as their main disadvantages, or rather the features that may be the reason for switching to another PL.1.PHP
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Not suitable for large scale applications
PHP is quite poorly suited for building rich and scalable applications, and in today's world, more and more applications need to be just that. Since PHP is not a modular language, complex applications built on top of it can be difficult to maintain.
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Safety problems
The open, that is, open source, form of PHP is the cause of security problems: the source code is available to everyone, which means that everyone can find and exploit bugs that lead to vulnerabilities in the code.
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narrow profile
Another notable drawback, important for the programmers themselves, is the fact that PHP is still a language intended primarily for web development. Despite the fact that PHP can be used to implement solutions in various areas, it is "sharpened" for web development, and most PHP specialists are limited to this area exclusively.
In addition to the above three, PHP has a number of well-known shortcomings, such as bugs in the code, weak data typing, and so on.
2.C#
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Not widespread enough
C# is not as widespread as, for example, Java, PHP or Python, and is used mainly in the development of various kinds of solutions for commercial enterprises, which means that there are not so many positions for C# programmers, especially in small cities.
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Dependency on Microsoft
C# is considered the flagship programming language for Microsoft, which invests quite a lot of effort and resources in developing the universality and cross-platform nature of this language. However, this is also one of the disadvantages of C # - this language is primarily associated with solutions for the Windows platform, and its long-term development will depend on Microsoft to a very large extent.
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High difficulty
C# cannot be used without the Microsoft .NET framework on which it is based, and .NET is very, very difficult to learn and use.
3.Python
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Python is not well suited for mobile development
Traditionally, Python has been considered ill-suited for mobile development, despite the fact that the language has become more mobile-friendly in recent years, for example, thanks to the emergence of libraries for building applications. However, Python will still not be the main development language for the two main mobile platforms - Android and iOS - while the demand for applications for them is only growing.
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Python is not popular in enterprise development
Although Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world and is often used in large-scale web development, it is not very popular in the corporate field, where programmers are usually paid the best. The reason is Python's limitations when it comes to accessing databases.
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Python coders have a hard time with other languages
Since Python is considered the simplest language in the world, and it is, it can be difficult for Python programmers to write code in other languages that they find too complex. While the simplicity of Python is an advantage of the language, it can play a cruel trick on Python coders, limiting their professional development.
4. Ruby
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Fewer materials for self-learning and development
The Ruby coding community is not as large as the Java or Python community, and there are fewer tutorials and guides available to Ruby programmers on the features of the language. This is especially true for materials in Russian.
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Ruby is more difficult to learn than other languages
It does not help to progress and improve one's skills and the fact that Ruby itself is more complex than other popular programming languages. Because of this, moving beyond the entry level in it can be an overwhelming task for many.
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It will be difficult for a Ruby newbie to find a job
This point follows in part from the previous one. Ruby programmers new to Ruby tend to have a hard time finding jobs because full-fledged development in Ruby requires a good level of knowledge of the language. At the same time, a beginner in Java can quite easily get a junior position and continue his education while already working and recouping the cost of his education.
5. C++
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Difficulty in mastering
C++ is considered the most difficult language to learn on this list. Because of this, it is less popular among novice programmers - C++ solutions are complex and difficult to debug.
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Technical shortcomings
C++ has a number of features, mostly inherited from its predecessor, the C language, that most programmers consider technical shortcomings. In particular, this is an error-producing syntax, poor modularity support, a primitive preprocessor, etc.
Is it worth it to switch? Career Benefits of Switching to Java
About the advantages of Java, such as the popularity of this PL in various trending areas ( clouds , blockchain , Internet of things , big data , AI), we at CodeGym talk quite regularly anyway.
Therefore, here we simply list the main advantages of switching to Java for a programmer from a career point of view.
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An abundance of jobs
The high popularity of Java and the use of this language in various fields provide a consistently large number of open vacancies for Java programmers around the world. Today, finding a job as a Java coder is not easy, but very simple. By the way, we have an article on how a junior Java programmer can increase his attractiveness in the eyes of an employer (as well as an article on how to successfully pass an interview ).
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High popularity of Java in the corporate sphere
According to Oracle, Java runs on 97 percent of all computers in the corporate world. This language is used by banks, IT giants, media companies, government and non-profit organizations. Knowing Java, it is quite possible to get a job in such well-known and respected companies as Netflix, Spotify, eBay, Google, Oracle, Facebook, etc.
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Java dominates mobile development
Android is the most popular mobile platform in the world, and applications for Android are written, including in Java, which provides this language with a confident leadership in the field of mobile development.
- Official Java certifications will help you find a job abroad
Java programmers have access to global certifications such as OCAJP and OCPJP, with which it is quite easy to find work abroad and move up the career ladder. A detailed overview of Java certifications in Russian can be found on CodeGym.
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Opportunities for career advancement to senior positions
The abundance of work for Java coders and the use of the language in a wide variety of projects opens up more opportunities for developers to advance their careers to high positions, such as an architect or technical manager.
Tips for those who want to move to Java
Well, in conclusion, we will simply give a number of basic tips to those programmers who already write in one of the PLs, but would like to switch to Java.-
Build a solid foundation from theoretical knowledge
Fortunately, there are many resources available on the web for those who want to learn Java, including books , YouTube channels , blogs, and podcasts. Not to mention the forums where you can turn to experienced Java coders for advice.
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Set a realistic goal
Modern Java includes many systems and solutions that are not easy to master quickly. So don't expect to become a Java expert in a year or a year and a half. But during this period, you can master the basic knowledge and gain practical experience, which will be enough for employment. By the way, our review of services for combating procrastination and learning planning can help with this .
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Don't forget to practice
One of the common mistakes when learning a new programming language is to focus too much on theory. Therefore, do not forget to regularly practice what you have just learned - write code, develop simple solutions, and apply newly mastered technologies. We will help with coding practice :)
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Try porting your projects to Java
One of the popular tips for migrating from one language to another from coding experts is to try porting already written programs from the “old” language to the one you are studying. Porting the code base of an existing project to a new language can take a long time, but will be very rewarding in terms of practical experience, because this process allows you to better understand the features of the new language and the difficulties that you will have to deal with when developing in it.
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