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What is the best method to learn JAVA?

 
Greenhorn
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I would like to know the best methodology to learn this language?

Do you think there should be a specific plan or book? are online learning best than in site training?

Do you think busy poeple that have leant from distance course (not College or University) could have the same capacity or advantages to be selectonned for a job?

A lot of question, I know, but it is to put out some confusions.

Thanks
 
Ranch Hand
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Start with a generic book or the sun tutorials to get a basic understanding of how things work.

Write as much as you can.
Use the API, the examples, and text there. I think people underestimate how much information is in there.
Start with a text editor and command line. Don't start with an IDE.
 
Greenhorn
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Also, if you can, review some open source code, i learn a lot of good open source code.
 
Rulx Narcisse
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Why not IDE before Command line?

Can a pedagogy be like that for java?

For example, they use GUI to build web page without knowing HTML, but after that, we can learn more coding to ad specific codes like javascript...

In kindergarten, they use visual thing first(...) and than start writting alphabet letters...

Tell me what do you think.
 
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Using an IDE hides to much from a beginning developer and actually cause many problems. It also introduces a layer of complexity in learning the IDE that is not needed.
 
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Why not IDE before Command line?

Can a pedagogy be like that for java?

For example, they use GUI to build web page without knowing HTML, but after that, we can learn more coding to ad specific codes like javascript...

In kindergarten, they use visual thing first(...) and than start writting alphabet letters...

Tell me what do you think


Why not pocket calculator before learning 2 times one two; two times two four ...?
 
Greenhorn
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I think he should get a good begginners book and learn java from the command line before using IDEs, because IDEs could make him lazy and refuse to learn to do things the manual way.
 
Ranch Hand
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Originally posted by Rulx Narcisse:
I would like to know the best methodology to learn this language?

Do you think there should be a specific plan or book? are online learning best than in site training?



In may depend on your learning style. Some people prefer to study on their own while some like to attend public classes. It's a matter of preference really.


Do you think busy poeple that have leant from distance course (not College or University) could have the same capacity or advantages to be selectonned for a job?

A lot of question, I know, but it is to put out some confusions.

Thanks



Sure. If your skills match what the company is looking for, then there's no reason for you not to get accepted.
 
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Keep writing codes with various ways is the best way to learn. For the same problem, there are always more than 1 method to solve it, and you can learn different ways to handle the same problem, and the pros and cons for each method.

Nick
 
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Use a text editor like editplus but no IDE atleast for 6 months.
 
Greenhorn
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Thanks!! This helped me!
 
Ranch Hand
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Why not IDE before Command line?



I too am beginner and I must say that command line is much better (moreso coz we are beginning, we might as well get the fundamentals straight).

I am preparing for my JCP right now and am studying from Java 2 Study Guide for the JCP exam (310-035) by Sierra & Bates It's a great book, not only from the exam point of view but also for learning and implementing JAVA in the real world!

Hope this helps.
 
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I've been programming in Java on and off for about seven years now, and until recently, used a text editor. Because I am starting to write for Eclipse, I'm learning to use that. When things go wrong, I know where to look because I've worked under the hood for so long.

Regarding how to learn Java:

Read code
Read APIs
Read tutorials (many good ones are available free)
Write code
Break code
Fix code
Expand code
Repeat
 
Greenhorn
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Try "Head First Java 2nd".

It's a very good book for beginner. Teach you java visually. Easy to understand.

Even with pictures and texts combination, it can teach a lot of things.

Try it, i'm sure you'll gonna like it !
 
Ranch Hand
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I liked
Deitel - Java� How to Program
(http://www.deitel.com/books/jHTP6/)
 
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My suggestion is that find and read a good Java book, stay here to ask some questions when you have and share what you learn. Of course, I think you are in right way
 
Nicholas Cheung
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Talking about good books, in fact, there are plenty of books for beginners to learn Java:
1. HF Java 1st edition (for JDK 1.4)
2. HF Java 2nd edition (for JDK Tiger)
3. Java 2 Complete Reference, 5th edition (for JDK 1.4)
4. Java 2 Complete Reference, 6th edition (for JDK Tiger)
5. Core Java, Volume 1 and 2, 5th edition (for JDK 1.4)
6. Core Java, Volume 1 and 2, 7th edition (for JDK Tiger)

Goto the bookstore to scan through some of these books, and pick the series that you think it is the most suitable for you.

Nick
 
Rulx Narcisse
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I have started with java with a book (from France) and I have written some codes in notepad and tried to implement them in the JBorland 6 I have but still have some problem.
When I use the IDE with the same compiler, I have even made an text editor!(I know that is nothing for big brain like you!!)

But I get the point...to mastering the language, it would be better to continue coding,
but here is so much new features in the latest version of IDE that you feel like missing something , something is happenning without you...

and they say that Java is the language of the future...
 
Ranch Hand
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DO NOT get the deitel book...Alot of the example code does not compile!

get the head first book, its pretty good
 
Nicholas Cheung
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DO NOT get the deitel book...Alot of the example code does not compile!


I had heard this before, although I never read this book, I believe this could be confirmed due to the selling price.

This book is always 50% off, according to EMH, all information (whether the book is good or bad) will be reflected in the price of the book.

get the head first book, its pretty good


Totally agree with this.

Nick
 
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Originally posted by Rulx Narcisse:
I have started with java with a book (from France) and I have written some codes in notepad and tried to implement them in the JBorland 6 I have but still have some problem.
When I use the IDE with the same compiler, I have even made an text editor!(I know that is nothing for big brain like you!!)

But I get the point...to mastering the language, it would be better to continue coding,
but here is so much new features in the latest version of IDE that you feel like missing something , something is happenning without you...

and they say that Java is the language of the future...




You exactly describe why people should not use an IDE before they know the language inside and out.
You ended up learning the tool instead of the language... Once you master the language you can use it with any tool, if you only master the tool you're at a loss when confronted with a situation in which that tool isn't available.
 
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