Discover how to become a six-figure developer without going back to school. Are you thinking of transitioning into a career as a software developer? Have you always been interested in programming languages and tinkering with technology? Do you wish there was a straightforward way to gain all the skills and knowledge you need to write your own programs? If you're looking to make a living as a Java programmer, you're in luck. According to HackerRank, Java is now the third most in-demand language that hiring managers look for. And with US Java developers now earning upwards of $105,000 on average, based on data from Indeed... You can rest assured that learning Java will pay off in more ways than one. But for many, the problem is knowing where to start. If you're coming from a non-tech background... or if you're self-taught and only know bits and pieces of Java... then learning how to code can feel like flying blindfolded. Because even if you manage to grasp all the basic beginner concepts... you'll still need to ace your first coding challenge if you want to land your dream job as a developer. And that's where this book comes in. In it, you'll find a step-by-step guide that will take you through all the essential skills that every top programmer in the world has mastered. Not only will this give you the opportunity to practice your new skills... but by the end of it, you'll know how to create and deploy your own Java application. In this book, you will discover: Places to start looking for jobs as a Java developer, even if you don't have a degree in computer science How global brands like Netflix and Amazon rely on Java for their ongoing success How to keep your application code from falling into the wrong hands - avoid these common security vulnerabilities Why you should leave comments in your code, and how to do it without being a nuisance The difference between errors and exceptions, and how to fix them the moment they show up Different exercises to help you apply and understand all the basics of Java Checklist you can use to fast-track your progress toward becoming a Java whiz How to make your apps more user-friendly by creating Graphical User Interfaces Advanced performance tuning techniques that experts use to optimize Java programs