Posted: 9/14/2009 2:05:10 PM EDT
| I'm going to be starting an online Java class very soon, and I'd like to get a good understanding of Java before I start. I've got no programming experience - what's a good resource for learning Java (and learning to think like a programmer)? |
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I teach computer science courses and have taught Java courses in the past.
I suggest you: - get a good beginner book (see list below) - download and install Java and an IDE (either Eclipse or Netbeans) - start writing simple programs and getting them to work The trick to learning programming (using any language) is to learn about it (either through reading a book or paying attention to a lecture) and then to DO it - i.e. write a program that uses a concept you just learned. If you just sit on your ass and read or listen, you aren't going to learn anything –– you have to actually do it. Get into a "learn a little then do a little" cycle. Java and the two IDEs I mention above are all free –– you can just download and install them. The more you play with them the better. Good Intro books: Beginning Java Objects (written by a friend of mine) Head First Java Good and Free Downloadable Java Book Good Introduction to Programming (using Ruby, not Java) HTH |
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Brian's third list item is what I was going to recommend. Thinking in Java is usually what I tell folks to pick up. fwiw I'm a Java developer. imho it sucks but it makes me a lot of money.  Try Ruby –– it is much more fun! I toyed it with but that's about it. I only use Java because that's what they (work) tell me to use. I don't program much at home anymore but maybe I should give it another shot. |