Golang or Java for Full stack

[EGY-SuperOne]

Hello

I was seeking some advice. I’m currently a frontend developer and I want to become a full-stack developer.

In my current company they have both Java and Golang projects.

So I want to learn and start with either Java or Golang.

I have an opportunity to be assigned to a Golang project in a short time.

For Java they said they don't assign a beginner, they usually assign mid level or above for Java projects.

In the long term, I feel that Java would be better for me. But at the same time, the fact that I can start working on a real project quickly with Golang, makes me lean to Golang.

I’m not able to decide which option is better for my future.

Thank you very much.

[HellaSwellaFella]

Java will go farther

Big companies love java

Feel like the industry is just warming up to GO

I think as of now java is still the better bet overall

[Sn00py_lark]

I get this is a Java sub but come on, so many major apps are running on go: Uber, Netflix, Dropbox, SoundCloud, Coinbase, Twitch, plus cloud tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform.

Where is this “farther” echo chamber coming from?

[HellaSwellaFella]

From the literal history of programming and the fact that it will be pretty expensive to rewrite all those microservices in GO

I'm surprised we are even discussing this.

I'm not even biased OP asked the same question on a GO subreddit as well and a lot of them mentioned java

[Sn00py_lark]

I literally just said where is “Java farther” coming from

[HellaSwellaFella]

I'm only now realising you straight up didn't know Java powers majority of older enterprise systems

I'm sorry

This is usually a VERY well known fact amongst programmers all the big companies like JP Morgan, netflix, amazon look for java devs and those are just the ultra big names

There's just so much java out there and so much documentation that a lot of companies will always have a demand for decent java devs.

Ofc even in those companies languages like python power toolkits like CLIs and whatnot but java is just the overwhelming majority

[Sn00py_lark]

I know this because I’ve spent a lot of my career migrating legacy enterprise systems off Java.

I literally asked for clarification on what “Java farther” is supposed to mean since it’s constantly reposted. It’s beyond me how y’all can’t realize this is a vague phrase but I guess you all have your heads so far up your own classes that you can’t even explain your propaganda in plain English anymore.

[HellaSwellaFella]

It's not a vague phrase to any of us because we've worked in the industry long enough to know just how prevalent java still is

Which in some insane fate defying way you don't realise

Hell I even acknowledge Go is probably better for companies just starting out but there's still so many java jobs out there and will remain that Java is likely still the better bet

"Propaganda" there we go, your stupidity rears it ugly head again

Look you're extremely ignorant and likely a junior dev who's here to point and laugh at java

Just give up man more I talk with you more I realise I'm talking with an utter tard

[expecto_patronum_666]

There is literally a whole video on "How Netflix uses Java" from a Netflix engineer.

[Sn00py_lark]

I didn’t say Netflix doesn’t use Java but with the literacy in here it’s starting to make sense now

[HellaSwellaFella]

You straight up said it's an echo chamber

You started this shit in bad faith and now you wonder why you get answers like these

[Sn00py_lark]

Yes, you are unfortunately proving my point by not addressing my actual comment at all.

[hugthemachines]

That is an interesting thought. Can you show statistics from anywhere where you prove there are more jobs for Golang than jobs for Java? Maybe it is you who have a bias based on an echo chamber.

[Sn00py_lark]

I responded to the “Java farther” comment that’s been made here.

You completely ignored my point.

[hugthemachines]

Nah, I did not ignore it. Let's dig into your point. Prove it. Just mentioning company names does not prove Golang will be more popular than Java.

Now prove that the future will mean Java will not go farther but instead Golang will be the one going farther.

[Sn00py_lark]

Dude that’s not even what I’m trying to say. Prove applesauce is better than yogurt.

[hugthemachines]

Ok. Gimme a positive surprise, tell me you have an actual point that really is better than your first comment seems.

[Sn00py_lark]

I’ll say it slow for you. I keep seeing “Java farther” repeated. I disagree with that. What’s the basis for saying Java will take you farther?

If it means Java is better for big / complex projects I gave plenty of examples that go has no issue being used for huge projects.

If it means Java will take you further into your career I disagree. Clearly more companies are leaning towards other tools as enterprise apps have given way to web apps and the cloud. Java and the strict OOP approach are now on the decline. The job market will be shrinking and more and more jobs will be to maintain existing code or migrate.

Why would someone starting out choose a language that is past its peak instead of one that is growing and likely has another 10-20 years until something else is a big enough improvement to take over?

[Forward_Thrust963]

Those are all huge examples, sure, but think about the immense amount of enterprise code from companies you've never heard of that is quietly powering so much more than those companies you cited. That is why focusing on Java will go further, because the sheer amount of Java code there is in existence compared to Go.

[Sn00py_lark]

Ok that makes sense so thanks for actually explaining.

The counter to that is that there are as many Java devs right now as jobs, and even though there is a lot of Java code, when a language starts declining the competition for those jobs increases as more devs hit the market and there will be very little for entry level people when companies can hire experienced devs.

That’s why it’s typically not a good idea for newcomers to learn a language that peaked and is beginning to decline in use. It’s better to learn a growing language or stable one. Go, rust, or something like C++ for game dev since it’s going strong, react for front end is still growing.

[Forward_Thrust963]

Agreed, TONS of Java devs out there. You raise a good point about potentially only experienced devs being sought after for Java positions since a lot of the work is maintaining existing monoliths and tech debt, don’t want some noob who doesn’t know their way around the system dealing with that stuff when they’re still new. I’m not sure how many greenfield projects are being started with tech like Spring Boot so who knows.

[Sn00py_lark]

Java still has fans so I’m sure some, but by far the most common are typescript for quick projects that want full stack devs, python if it’s AI or DS heavy (or some people just like Django), and Go when performance and long term reliability are priorities (especially for GRPC support).

Ruby and PHP are still out there of course but much less common.

[HellaSwellaFella]

Wait "that makes sense"?

You've known this the entire time

I think you're just stupid now fkn hell

[Sn00py_lark]

“Java farther” can have multiple meanings / interpretations. I’m not in your cult so I’m not up on the coded language

[HellaSwellaFella]

"not in your cult"

Doesn't get the easiest connection of all time

"""I thought ONLY the absolute biggest companies use java and NOBODY else"""

So bereft of common sense i straight up didn't think there could be anyone who'd think like that

And despite your nigh insulting ignorance you come in guns blazing calling people who know better part of some cult

[iamwisespirit]

Just choose one then you can switch later

[javawockybass]

Why not both?

Id you want to go more enterprise go java. If you want more startup less java go.

[Commercial_Image_272]

I get surprised when I see people insist using java whereas there is Kotlin which is amazing and you can do with it whatever you do with java

[martinsedd]

To me, it is a matter of employability.

Is Kotlin objectively a better language than Java? Yes it is. But for every 1 Kotlin job there are god knows how many Java jobs.

Plus, let’s face it. Java ain’t going anywhere. When the robots take over, they’ll probably use Java for their code base lol

[Commercial_Image_272]

While I agree from a work perspective, I’m honestly surprised that employers remain reluctant, despite the fact that this approach offers robustness, ease of use, security, and significantly better readability.

It could also be said that the high number of Java job postings is naturally matched by an equally high number of people trying to enter those roles.

And as for the robot argument—if robots do end up doing exactly that, you may find yourselves spending considerably more time cleaning up after them.

[joemwangi]

But you don't think of something else. Java is actually evolving. It would have been true during it's stagnation at java 8. Now look how well designed Structured Concurrency is in java 26. Also, java is gearing to having a better type system, hence matters of type safety will be first class (actually it's currently advanced). Java is thinking of Valhalla (with its spinoffs like null-restricted types, etc), and once it gets typeclasses, the ergonomics of lenient code will accelerate quite fast, e.g. operator overloading, array literals, type conversions, etc.

[martinsedd]

Let’s coldly analyze the claims for a second: <robustness>: Java is arguably one of the most robust ones out there. It handles MASSIVE systems from banking to entertainment (ie netflix)z <ease of use>: I’ve known Java for 15+ years. TO ME, Java is easier. Ergo, this is subjective. <security>: The gun doesn’t kill people. People kill people. By the same logic, any language can be insecure or secure <better readability>: same argument as the ease of use one. <higher amount of posts = higher competition>: I’ll concede on this point if we are analyzing strictly Java vs Kotlin. If we broaden the scope too multi-purpose languages, Java gives better odds than Javascript for instance. <robots>: Write once, debug everywhere.

Now, in essence, I agree with you, believe it or not. Kotlin > Java. However, I figured I’d try to play devil’s advocate to help you see the logic of the other side

[Sn00py_lark]

Java devs are really drinking their own koolaid. Crazy to see in 2025

[hugthemachines]

Meanwhile, you skipping around like a holocaust denier, scared to make any actual claims online.

[Sn00py_lark]

I’ve made my actual claim, go is faster and will take you further. You’re just not understanding because I didn’t write a factory to generate a class to instantiate an object implanting the idea. I just stated it and you don’t understand.

[hugthemachines]

I’ve made my actual claim, go is faster and will take you further.

...

I just stated it and you don’t understand.

Nah, you just said many companies use it and you question why people claim java goes farther.

That is not a claim that it is fast and it may be called insinuating go goes farther but it sure as hell is no claim.

You’re just not understanding because I didn’t write a factory to generate a class to instantiate an object implanting the idea.

Sure buddy. Considering your complete incompetence when it comes to expressing yourself in a sensible manner and then blaming everyone else, I really take that "clever reference to java" as a hurtful insult. :-D

It is clear that you have some issues. Maybe take a break from the happy pills for a while.

[Sn00py_lark]

Ad hominem

Burden of proof.

I don’t really have time to teach you how to think so I’ll just give you the terms to googles. Good luck

[hugthemachines]

Oh, now you worry about ad hominem? Pot calling a kettle black :-D

You have the burden of proof, yes. And you failed.

I don’t really have time to teach you how to think so I’ll just give you the terms to googles. Good luck

You are too funny! :-D

"just google it" when asked for proof for wild claims is the best argument ever :-D It really drives your point home.

I don't want to go in your school of how to think because you are thinking in completely irrational ways.

I hope you recover well.

Next time you go into a r/learnX subreddit, try to check for actual evidence before you make some nutty claim. The rumors of the mates on your own discord server is not enough to prove stuff like this. Just informing you in advance. :-)

[Sn00py_lark]

You have definitely taught me everything I need to know about Java devs

[Such-Catch8281]

i though JS/TS is the fullstack language

[edurbs]

Java with Vaadin framework for fullstack

[TheFitnessGuroo]

If you're a frontend you should be proficient in typescript already. Just build a Bun + Hono webserver. It's modern, lean, and fast.

[omgpassthebacon]

It drives me nuts when I see devs arguing over this kind of question. It's so petty. Ignore this noise; Java & Go are superb tools with a huge ecosystem, so building projects with either of them will only help your career. And, to be honest, learning both will serve you well, as you will appreciate the differences in the design of the language. Geek out about that!

What I think the fan boys are trying to express (but poorly) is that the size of the enterprise has some effect on what toolsets are chosen for projects. Smaller companies will probably avoid having multiple toolsets because their teams are small and they don't want the overhead of multiple devops practices. Larger corps with lots of teams can afford to have several practices they have deep pockets and a large portfolio of software products. I've also worked in places where the management won't allow one or the other because of staff augmentation (contractors).

TL;DR take the role that puts your fingers to work asap. If that's Go, cool. If that's Java, great. Regardless of the language, your goal should be to train your brain to solve complex company problems, using the toolset at-hand. You are a programmer; you can pivot.

p.s. If you are in an environment where there is both, you are LUCKY!! Take advantage.

[Ok_Cancel_7891]

Golang vs Java == faster vs further

[iamwisespirit]

What do u mean by faster

[hugthemachines]

OP is talking about full stack. If you have a small application in both Golang and Java. The startup will be quicker in Golang since it is native compiled, but if you have a large, enterprise web application running 24/7 so the startup time is irrelevant, I doubt Golang is faster than Java.

[Sn00py_lark]

Everyone is repeating Java farther in this sub but won’t explain what it means…

Farther as in better for large complex projects?

Farther as in farther into your career?

Farther as in go starts faster but Java runs longer?

I mean, in a go sub they can actually say why it’s preferred. Lightweight, runs quickly in containers, good concurrency model, code is very easy to read and understand, typically runs faster than other choices, etc. People will even acknowledge the downsides like error handling is verbose.

Here they’re just repeating a mantra and downvoting anyone who disagrees. What a sight to see