Top Java Development Technologies & Tools Every Team Should Know

2. Jakarta EE

Jakarta EE, formerly known as Java EE, is the standard for building enterprise-level Java applications. While Spring offers flexibility and rapid development, Jakarta EE focuses on providing a consistent, specification-based approach backed by years of enterprise adoption.

Consider it the official method for developing large, scalable Java applications, particularly in sectors where long-term stability is important, such as government, banking, and telecommunications.

Key Specifications in Jakarta EE

Jakarta EE provides a collection of specifications that developers can use either together or individually, and it includes:

1. Servlets & JSP – Handle HTTP requests and generate dynamic web content

2. JPA (Jakarta Persistence API) – Map Java objects to relational databases

3. CDI (Contexts and Dependency Injection) – Manage lifecycles and dependencies

4. EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans) – Still used in legacy systems for transactional components

5. JAX-RS – Build RESTful APIs

6. JAX-WS – Build SOAP-based web services

Most of these specs are implemented by application servers like WildFly, Payara, or Open Liberty.

Example: Using JPA with Jakarta EE

@Entity
public class Product {
    @Id
    @GeneratedValue
    private Long id;
    private String name;
    private Double price;
}

You define an entity with annotations, and the JPA provider handles the mapping to the database behind the scenes.

Both Jakarta EE and Spring are robust frameworks, so which one should you choose? We have cover this topic in depth in our article: Jakarta EE vs Spring.

3. Hibernate

Hibernate is a widely used ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) framework for Java. It lets you interact with relational databases using plain Java objects instead of writing raw SQL. It also implements the JPA (Java Persistence API) spec but extends it with powerful features like caching, lazy loading, and HQL (Hibernate Query Language).

If you've ever dreaded mapping Java classes to database tables manually, Hibernate is your best friend.

The features of Hibernate that Java developers love:

1. Eliminates boilerplate JDBC code

2. Manages entity relationships effortlessly

3. Supports caching to boost performance

4. Allows querying with both SQL and HQL

Example: Mapping Entity Relationships

@Entity

public class User {

    @Id

    @GeneratedValue

    private Long id;
    private String username;

    @OneToMany(mappedBy = "user", cascade = CascadeType.ALL)

    private List<Order> orders;

}

This simple snippet sets up a one-to-many relationship between User and Order, which Hibernate will handle automatically at runtime.

4. Microservices with Java

Microservices architecture organizes an application into a set of independent, loosely connected services that can be deployed separately. For Java developers, this has become a mainstream approach, especially for building scalable and cloud-native applications.

Why Java for Microservices?

Java has a mature ecosystem with robust frameworks tailored for microservices. It supports everything from RESTful APIs to service discovery, configuration management, monitoring, and deployment. Which is why Java is preferred for building Microservices.

1. Spring Boot

Spring Boot is one of the most popular Java frameworks used to build microservices. It makes it easier to start and set up a project by automatically handling many common settings for you. This means you can spend more time writing your code and less time on configuration. 

Spring Boot also works very well with Spring Cloud, which is useful when you are building systems that run on many servers and need to talk to each other. It also has many helpful tools such as Spring Data for working with databases, Spring Security for keeping your app safe, and Spring Boot Actuator for checking and managing your app while it is running.

2. Quarkus

Quarkus is a modern Java framework that is built to work really well with tools like Kubernetes and GraalVM. It is known for being lightweight and very fast. One of its key features is ahead of time compilation, which means it prepares the code before running it. This helps your application start much faster. Quarkus is a great choice if you are building apps that will run in containers, such as with Docker or Kubernetes. It also supports reactive programming, which helps build apps that are responsive and handle many tasks at the same time without slowing down.

3. Micronaut

Micronaut is a newer Java framework that focuses on speed and being modular, which means you can pick only the parts you need. It is designed to be fast by doing most of its work during the build time, instead of waiting until the application runs. This helps reduce startup time and makes your app use less memory. Micronaut also works well with popular tools like Kafka, RabbitMQ, and OpenAPI, making it easier to build modern and connected applications.

Popular Java Development Tools

To work effectively, any serious Java developer needs a good set of tools. These tools influence the quality and speed of your project and shape the development process, from writing code to automating builds.

1. Maven

Maven is one of the most trusted tools in Java development for managing builds and dependencies. It uses a standard project structure and a pom.xml file to define dependencies, plugins, and project information. That consistency makes it a favorite for large teams and long-term projects.

Why developers use Maven:

1. Automatically handles dependency management

2. Encourages a standard project layout

3. Works well with CI tools like Jenkins and SonarQube

It’s especially common in enterprise Java applications where predictability and structure matter.

2. Gradle

Gradle provides a more adaptable option compared to Maven. It uses Groovy or Kotlin for configuration and supports both declarative and imperative styles. Gradle is known for its performance and is commonly used in Android development as well as backend projects.

Where Gradle stands out:

1. Faster builds with incremental compilation and caching

2. Highly customizable build logic

3. Preferred tool for Android Studio

If you want more control over your build process or need faster build times, Gradle is a great choice.

3. Jenkins

For the implementation of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD), Jenkins is the preferred automation server. It enables you to automate builds, tests, and deployments in intricate Java workflows and supports thousands of plugins.

Use cases for Jenkins:

1. Running unit and integration tests on each commit

2. Building and packaging Java applications

3. Automating deployment to staging or production environments

In many Java development environments and DevOps pipelines, it is an essential tool.

4. GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions has become a modern alternative for setting up CI/CD pipelines, especially for projects hosted on GitHub. It’s simpler to configure compared to Jenkins and works well for small to medium Java projects.

Why consider GitHub Actions:

1. Built directly into GitHub

2. Easy to trigger workflows on pull requests or commits

3. Supports Maven, Gradle, and testing tools out of the box

If you prefer fewer moving parts and faster setup, GitHub Actions is a great option.

5. Docker

Docker is essential for packaging Java applications along with their dependencies into containers. It guarantees consistent application behavior across development, testing, and production environments.

What Docker helps with:

1. Isolated development environments

2. Easier deployment across platforms

3. Seamless collaboration between teams

It’s particularly useful in microservices and cloud-based Java applications.

6. Kubernetes

Kubernetes is a tool that helps manage Java applications made up of multiple Docker containers. It handles important tasks like automatically starting, stopping, and restarting containers, which makes it much easier to run and manage your app as it grows. You can also use it to scale your services up or down based on demand without doing everything by hand.

It is a great choice for running Java apps in production, especially when you need high availability and reliability. Kubernetes can restart crashed services, spread traffic evenly, and connect well with cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud. It also works with many monitoring tools, which helps teams track performance and solve problems quickly. That’s why it’s widely used in modern Java development today.

Kubernetes is great for:

1. Running Java services in production at scale

2. Managing high availability and self-healing

3. Integrating with cloud providers and monitoring tools

7. SonarQube

SonarQube is a static code analysis tool that helps developers maintain high code quality by automatically detecting bugs, security vulnerabilities, and code smells—areas where the code could be improved. It provides clear, visual feedback and recommendations to help teams write cleaner, safer, and more maintainable code. SonarQube can easily integrate with build tools and continuous integration systems, making it a valuable part of the development process to ensure consistent code quality over time.

Why SonarQube matters:

1. Encourages clean, readable code

2. Integrates with Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, and IDEs

3. Tracks code quality metrics over time

If your team cares about long-term maintainability, SonarQube is worth including in your stack.

Java IDEs That Make Development Easier

An IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, is basically a program that makes coding easier by putting everything you need in one place. Instead of switching between different apps to write, run, and test your code, the IDE gives you a text editor, a way to run your code, and tools to help find and fix mistakes, all together. It’s like having your entire coding workspace bundled into a single window so you can just focus on building your project.

Let's go through some of the most popular IDEs used in Java development today.

1. IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is often regarded as one of the most sophisticated IDEs for Java development. It’s known for its intelligent code completion, deep understanding of the Java language, and smooth user experience.

What developers like about IntelliJ:

1. Smart code suggestions and refactoring tools

2. Built-in support for frameworks like Spring and Hibernate

3. Powerful debugger and version control integration

It's especially popular among teams working on large-scale Java web development projects or using modern frameworks.

2. Eclipse

Eclipse has been a staple in the Java world for a long time. It’s open source and has a huge plugin ecosystem, making it highly customizable.

Why Eclipse is still a go-to:

1. Strong support for Java EE (Jakarta EE) development

2. Flexible project setup for different Java versions

3. Good integration with tools like Maven and Git

Eclipse is often used in academic settings and enterprise environments where legacy systems are involved.

3. NetBeans

NetBeans is another open-source IDE supported by the Apache Foundation. It offers built-in support for Java SE, JavaFX, and web technologies in Java.

What makes NetBeans useful:

1. Simple out-of-the-box setup

2. Visual GUI builder for desktop apps

3. Good support for Maven-based projects

It’s a solid choice for beginners and for those who want everything to just work without installing many plugins.

4. JRebel

JRebel isn’t a full IDE but a plugin that integrates with most Java IDEs. It helps by skipping the need to redeploy code changes, which saves a lot of time during development.

What JRebel is good for:

1. Instant updates to running applications

2. Works with frameworks like Spring and Hibernate

3. Reduces turnaround time while testing or debugging

It’s especially helpful for teams building complex enterprise apps or experimenting with frequent updates.

5. VisualVM

VisualVM is a lightweight tool that comes with the JDK. It assists in monitoring, profiling, and diagnosing issues in Java applications.

Common uses for VisualVM:

1. Checking memory usage and CPU profiling

2. Analyzing thread activity

3. Detecting memory leaks in live applications

While it’s not an IDE in the traditional sense, it’s often used alongside other Java development tools to keep performance in check.

Conclusion

Java has a lot to offer, but the real value comes from using the right mix of tools, frameworks, and technologies that match your project needs. From foundational components like the JVM and core APIs to modern frameworks, development tools, and web technologies, every piece contributes to how well your application performs and scales.

If you are planning your next Java project or looking to strengthen your development team, it might be the right time to hire Java developer who understands the ecosystem inside out.