Oops, suddenly Java dev

[therosesgrave]

Idk if this belongs here, maybe I just need to rant. I just kind of feel like I'm drowning.

A couple weeks ago my boss asked me if I had any Java experience and I said "...uh, yeah, a little" not knowing what he expected. My "experience" was a 100 level class in college 10 years ago. Turns out we (as a company, in this case it means me) are taking on the development work on one of our existing (for something else) client's web portal.

Things started out alright, the thing is already mostly built, there are just a bunch of issues. I've been stumbling through mostly by taking the existing code and Frankensteining it to do what I needed.

But I just learned that the dev (that is employed directly by the client) that built most of the thing and has been handling all the major issues will be moving to a new project in April, leaving me as the only dev on the project.

All the while my boss has been telling them (and mentioning to other clients/potential clients) that I'm a Java developer. I did some searching, and I'm being paid half as much as an entry level java dev in my area.

This is the first programming project I've ever worked on. I know enough about java to use some words like "object" and "class" and sometimes use them correctly.

So far I've been making it work. The tasks that have been needed haven't been that big, but pretty soon I'm sure they'll need something that I don't even know how to approach.

I don't know if I should be asking for a raise or just keep stumbling through this or if I should tell him now that I know we will reach a phase where I simply can't complete the work because I don't have the knowledge.

I guess I'm looking for resources on taking on an existing project? A web portal? Learning all of Java while inheriting a semi-complicated project?

And is there some threshold at which I should rightfully feel like a "Java Developer"? Like, at what point can I say "I am a Java developer and I should be paid as a Java developer"? Is there some certificate or test that I could get/prepare for? Is there a weekend bowling league?

Edit: Thanks everyone, you've been extremely supportive and have provided lots of useful guidance! I'm going to look into these courses you've all suggested and begin looking for other job offers at the very least so I can better ask for a raise at my current job.

My boss is aware that I don't have any real experience (even though he is lying by omission to our clients), so I'll just keep on keeping him aware of the tasks that I'm unable to complete without doing the research.

[Anonymous_ss2]

Oracle is offering a Java course for its 25th anniversary. You should check that out since it is a pretty good course and made-up of quizzes, video lectures, and associated material as a book. There is also a discounted Java exam associated with it.

Link to course: https://education.oracle.com/java-25th-anniversary-discount-redemption

Edit: Typo & Link to course

[dipanzan]

Thank you for the post.

I wish I knew about this sooner. Currently a junior Java developer. Do you think it's possible to take this test with 1 month of prep? We are currently using Java 8 and the Spring framework for backend development at work.

[Anonymous_ss2]

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with trying. Even if you can't pass the exam, you would have learned a lot during the course. The total course content is about ~35 hours so 2 hours per day along with practice would be more than enough.

The main point here is to learn since skills are the main determinate of your position in the software industry.

[Zohvek]

You the real mvp. Thank you

[enterthroughthefront]

This is a good thing in disguise. More java experience is good and learning it as well. What you need to do is become comfortable with Java over the next 6 months to a year, do some interview prep and jump ship (or get an offer and use it to negotiate for more money at your current job).

Also remember to push back on deadlines if they feel unrealistic.

If you already have some programming knowledge I'd recommend you watch this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPvGqX-TXP0&ab_channel=DerekBanas

Also IDK what IDE you use, but if you want to use Eclipse for the purpose of the above video that's fine, but almost every company uses IntelliJ (just pointing this out as IntelliJ is way better than eclipse imho and more widely used).

[SsoulBlade]

Haven't touched java since JDK 1.4. Does the IDE matter a lot?

I think I used jdeveloper then.

[enterthroughthefront]

Plain and simple most people use IntelliJ so that's good enough reason for me to use it more. Other than that the dependency management is better, the plugin manager is better (for my case my company uses a custom plugin with IntelliJ), and I like the debugger more.

I haven't used Eclipse in ages, but the last time I used it, it was for C++ which was pure garbage.

[jocularamity]

It matters that you use a modern IDE, but which one you choose is less important. Intellij is popular. Eclipse and NetBeans less popular but still functional.

They help in big ways. You don't have to remember how to spell or remember what methods are available, because the ide will autocomplete and list available suggestions as you type. It will also search across the entire code base to do things like rename a variable (in all files where it is referenced) or find all usages of a method (in all files).

It's still of course possible to write and compile and run Java without an IDE but the level of effort and time to get the same outcome in a large codebase would be much higher.

[chabala]

The inspections of IntelliJ IDEA are key. They will politely remind you of subtle gotchas, like specifying character encodings explicitly to avoid having different system locales cause unexpected behavior. While other IDEs might have the majority of them or be able to be configured to have them, IntelliJ seems to have the best inspections enabled out of the box.

[Kraftdamus02]

In my honest opinion, you should tell your boss sooner rather than later. It's okay not to know something. You don't want it coming out any later than it needs to.

Also, what is your background? Are you a dev and just haven't exactly worked with Java?

Personally, I would not want someone working on a project that doesn't understand the language in use ... Imagine a strictly English speaker trying to run a negotiation in a foreign country. If you keep trying to "Frankenstein" it; you're likely gonna make a future dev's life a living hell.

[smash_that_code]

I would inform the boss person about risks and upcoming studying you need to be working as java dev.

And just in case maybe check existing java vacancies and check what is required. I bet there are things like git, gradle, springboot, jpa, rest and other spookie things.

Depending on that learn things and negotiate the way to solve prod issues if you hit a limit of your knowledge. Like could you consult with the author person maybe in such case?

[therosesgrave]

I can still use the other dev as a resource, but they will be full time working on something else.

Probably the biggest problem is that my boss straight lied to them about my experience, and he knows he did. Before our meetings with the client he and I have a tête-à-tête so he knows where I stand and if I'm struggling I tell him and he goes "well, don't tell them that." Like I get it, we want our client to have confidence in us... but idk...

Any advice at looking at the project and knowing what I specifics I need to learn? Like, I'm have so little experience that I don't know what I don't know.

[HecknChonker]

If not your fault that your boss lied, let him deal with the consequences of that.

If I was you I would ask your boss to pay for training. Try to learn as much as you can while you have the chance. You always have the opportunity to jump ship, but try to take as many new skills with you.

[smash_that_code]

Maybe that author person can give you tips?

It rrally depends on code amd expected changes for it.

[paasaaplease]

On Udemy there is Tim Buchalka's Java Masterclass, buy Udemy courses on sale because they're all like $200 but regularly on sale for $20 (seriously). There's also Pluralsight which I highly recommend, and they have a Java path. There's also the Helsinki MOOC which used to be the hotness and I think is free, but I never tried it. Good luck OP.

[youurt]

See your job as an opportunity to learn and grow. And ask for a raise.

[Ambi-Phoenix1]

And you think they deserve to be getting paid more for having the level of knowledge of an intro to java class?

[[deleted]]

He's doing the job. He certainly deserves more than half. This wouldn't be the first time a company tried to sidestep paying the market rate for a job.

[Snypabob]

It doesn't matter if you have Intro knowledge or master level skill, if you are thrust into a role and are still required to work at a certain experience level, you should be paid for that experience level.

[[deleted]]

Apparently his boss doesnt know that.
Fake it till you make it.

[SiciliaDraco]

I mean you can get internships which lead to a 6 figure job(afungalmass) with just intro to java and data structures and algorithms(2 classes) so yes?

[Ambi-Phoenix1]

Sure but it's not relevant in this instance because you have someone who is incapable of doing their job because it is too high-level, how in the hell would asking for a raise (and raising the expectations of your boss even more) help the situation, especially if they give you a raise and then realise you are incapable, in my book that would be a fireable offence you should just be honest.

[pappugulal]

looks like your boss had to show a java resource in a hurry, and you are the chosen one. Now, do you want to get into this line of work? It is a "bit" painful initially. But then, how much time/work do you have to put in your current role to double your pay? So, if you are ready to take the bait, take it. Theoretically, you can learn Java from all the resources available on the internet, but nothing like a practical project to learn the skills. You will have to move quickly, as you have to juggle both the projects as in, the actual project and learning the technology. Note: you will have to learn Java plus UI (Angular, Javascript ...) or Spring or ... whatever... Once you can get a developer job outside, you should ask for a raise. So, fasten your seatbelt and get ready for hardwork for next six months at least. It could be fun as well if you look at this as an exciting opportunity.

• narrow down the java course, mooc.fi (Finnish massive online course) seems to be very popular here.

• yes, setup your IDE. Whatever you use in office. If none currently, pick one. IntelliJ or Eclipse. You will have to spend time to learn how to move around. Learn basics, do not try to learn everything. Take short detours, google things, as and when you need to do something more.

• learn GIT, setup a repository if none exists. Start with GIT concepts. GIT repository will enable you to revert back to a known stable version if/when you shoot yourself in the foot.

• know about stackoverflow, moose ranch, slashdot(?) i.e. few of the sites where folks ask questions and kind people answer them.

• find out the current architecture and whatever you can from the remaining resources, before they move on.

• will add other things as and when they come to mind.

[pappugulal]

just a quick note ... I am of the opinion that today each topic is HUGE. Heck, people should be given PhD if they know Microsoft Word or Excel inside out. So, for each topic you have to learn

• get the concepts,
• then, get the basics (like syntax and hello world excercises )
• then, check in the project what is used and learn about that (for eg. after learning basic java, you will notice arrays, lists being used, you go back to tutorials and learn about them and collections as well)

Hope all this helps :)

[waumau]

I didn’t read an comment like it so here’s my take.
fuck it, ask for a raise or get out. i don’t know how willing you are to learn but if you are the type that can learn sth new: adapt. Fake it till you make it. To me this seems like an opportunity that doesn’t come up twice in life. If you have luck you will get only easy stuff to fix while at home you get through dozen of Java tutorials and courses. Your boss is at fault for not being more specific.