Hello everyone! If you're aiming to elevate your coding capabilities, particularly in refactoring and best practices, you've landed in the right spot. I've previously highlighted the best courses for design patterns and data structures, and today, I’ll present the top online courses specifically tailored to enhance your Java programming skills.

Strong coding abilities are crucial for securing a programming job. Simply put, if you struggle with coding, career advancement becomes challenging. This is especially true for roles demanding precision, such as those in finance, healthcare, defense, and other vital sectors, where errors can lead to significant repercussions.

Many programmers seek to enhance their coding skills, including myself. Writing code that is both clear and adaptable brings immense satisfaction. However, progressing your coding skills without guidance can be tough. How can you assess if your code is effective? Collaborating with seasoned developers and engaging in GitHub reviews are common methods for improvement.

Today, the majority of organizations utilize GitHub for code management, employing a branch-based development strategy. New features are developed in separate branches and merged into the main branch for release. During this process, developers create pull requests (PRs), which are reviewed by peers, often senior developers, who provide constructive feedback for improvement.

While this method is reliable, it can be lengthy and dependent on the quality of mentorship received. Therefore, I suggest dedicating some time to online courses or reading materials that cover essential techniques for producing superior code.

Previously, I shared insightful books on coding skills, and now I'm excited to present the finest online courses focused on clean coding, refactoring, and solid principles in various programming languages, including Java and C#. These courses offer practical insights into improving code quality and essential lessons throughout the learning journey.

7 Best Online Courses to Enhance Coding Skills and Refactoring for Programmers in 2023

Without further ado, here are my top online course recommendations for mastering refactoring, design principles, design patterns, TDD, and overall coding skill enhancement.

While these skills are applicable across various programming languages, the courses predominantly feature examples in Java and C#.

1. Pyramid of Refactoring (Java) — Clean Code Gradually

This exceptional course focuses on clean coding practices and design pattern application, led by Wlodek Krakowski, an experienced technical instructor. It's the first installment in the "Pyramid of Refactoring" series aimed at achieving clean code.

The instructor employs common refactoring techniques to enhance code readability, flexibility, and testability. You'll explore the Interpreter Design Pattern alongside two creational design patterns—Factory Method and Fluent Builder. Key refactoring techniques covered include:

• Replacing loops with streams
• Extracting delegates/classes
• Extracting interfaces
• Creating parameter objects
• Replacing methods with method objects
• Extracting methods/variables
• Moving methods
• Inlining methods/variables

This course provides live demonstrations of transforming poor code into high-quality code through the aforementioned techniques, allowing you to follow along with the source code.

Here’s the link to join this course — Pyramid of Refactoring (Java) — Clean Code Gradually

Overall, this course is perfect for both intermediate and advanced Java developers. If you're seeking a practical, step-by-step online course to learn clean coding, refactoring, and design patterns, this is an excellent choice.

2. Clean Code with Java: Learn Simple Design, Refactoring & TDD

This course is a must for Java developers wishing to master clean coding techniques. Led by Ranga Karnam, a renowned instructor in Java and Spring technologies, this course emphasizes essential practices utilized in 80% of coding scenarios.

Ranga’s approach includes a thorough comparison between poor and well-structured code, guiding you through the process of transforming bad code into maintainable, production-quality code. This course is highly recommended for both novices and seasoned developers aiming to advance their skills.

Here’s the link to join this course — Clean Code with Java: Learn Simple Design, Refactoring & TDD

3. Pyramid of Refactoring (Java) — Clean Code into Chain [Udemy]

This second installment of the Pyramid of Refactoring series teaches how to replace complex nested if-else statements with the Chain of Responsibility design pattern. The course addresses the common issue of convoluted conditional statements, demonstrating refactoring techniques that produce cleaner, more comprehensible methods.

Here’s the link to join this course — Pyramid of Refactoring (Java) — Clean Code into Chain

4. Refactoring to Design Patterns by Example [Udemy Course]

This excellent course focuses on enhancing the internal design of an application through refactoring techniques and design patterns in C#. While it targets C#, the similarities with Java make it beneficial for both language developers.

Starting with a poorly structured application, this course provides a step-by-step approach to refactoring for improved maintainability and code quality. By the end, you'll grasp how refactoring and design patterns work together to create superior designs.

Here’s the link to join this course — Refactoring to Design Patterns by Example

5. Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions

Although primarily aimed at interview preparation, this course is invaluable for enhancing coding skills. It covers various coding patterns, such as two pointers and sliding windows, aiding in developing a strong coding intuition.

Even if you aren't preparing for an interview, this course is beneficial for honing problem-solving skills.

Here’s the link to join this course — Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions

6. Clean Code: Skyrocket Your Programming Career in 7 Days

This Udemy course offers Java developers practical methods for writing clean code. You'll learn essential software practices that every developer should master, including how to create readable, maintainable, and extendable code.

Here’s the link to join this course — Clean Code: Skyrocket Your Programming Career in 7 Days

7. Clean Code by Maximillian Schwarzmuller [AcadMind]

If you're a JavaScript developer eager to learn clean coding practices, this course is tailored for you. Maximillian offers a step-by-step approach to writing understandable and maintainable code, employing concise examples that are easy to grasp.

Here’s the link to join this course — Clean Code by Maximillian Schwarzmuller

In summary, these courses provide fantastic opportunities for Java developers to enhance their coding skills and advance their careers. Coding proficiency is a vital asset that transcends programming languages, making it essential for all developers.

For those interested in further reading, I recommend checking out Clean Code by Robert C. Martin, a must-read for any Java programmer.

Thank you for engaging with this article. If you found these advanced Java courses helpful for improving your coding and refactoring skills, please share them with your peers. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out.