I've learned the basics, what's the next step?

[Ajushi Jones]

Hi guys! I've just finished a book (Java - A Beginner's Guide) and some of the tutorials on sun.com and I'm wondering what's the next step?

The reason I'm learning Java is to get a programming job somewhere in the future. I'm in the medical field and I want to change careers. I always loved computers and technology!

I've browsed the job market in our country and a lot of them are looking for J2EE capable people. How do I make the transition to J2EE? Is there a good book available for learning it? How should I prepare next?

Thanks!

[Balasubramanian Chandrasekaran]

Originally posted by ajushi:
.... How do I make the transition to J2EE? Is there a good book available for learning it? How should I prepare next?

May be you can try SUN J2EE Material.As of now the latest version of J2EE is Java EE 5.Use this link to start your learning

J2EE TUTORIALS

[fred rosenberger]

"ajushi"

Please check your private messages.

Thanks

fbr

[Ajushi Jones]

Got it Fred, thanks!

[marc weber]

Before moving to Jave EE, you might want to solidify your fundamentals by getting certified as an SCJP.

[Ajushi Jones]

Thanks for the suggestion marc . I'd like to take the SCJP but I unfortunately don't have the funds to get the certification.

[Adam Schaible]

The SCJP is kind of garbage in my opinion.

I would become a member of your local java users group - do some networking there and see if anyone is working on any open source projects.

I think a good way to "advance" is to work with a lot of code. An open source project may have several different styles, faux-pas, etc - and it will give you an opportunity to see development in action. It will also give you a psuedo-coding job so you can see what it might be like for real, without having to change careers first.

If you want, I have a project I'm working on - it's not EXACTLY open source, but it's a free service - it's not that I don't want to share the source, it's just a 100% full blown app so not useful to most people.

Anyway, that's my suggestion!

http://rememberit.us/

PM me if you want more info

[Ajushi Jones]

That's a nice suggestion Adam. I'd really like to get involved in a programmin gproject I just don't know what requirements do they need. Thanks man.

[Brandt Charles]

A couple of other resources:

Java.net

Source Forge

Both have project help wanted ads. The latter often has a lot more than the former. Unfortunately, as of today there were no Java projects needing help, but it goes in waves.

I'm like you, I have worked in the behavioral health field for years. Now I'm looking to change careers.
[ December 13, 2007: Message edited by: Brandt Charles ]

[Ajushi Jones]

Thanks Brandt! That's nice. If you don't mind me asking what made you want to change careers?

Also, how did you learn Java? Do you have any tips that you could share?

[Brandt Charles]

I responded to this in a PM, check your mailbox

[Jesper de Jong]

To learn how to be a good Java programmer, get these books:

Effective Java
Java Puzzlers

These books show you where the pitfalls are in Java and help you to avoid them, so you can write better Java programs.

To become a better software developer (in general), study design patterns.

[Campbell Ritchie]

There was supposed to be a new edition of Effective Java last month, but it appears to have been delayed until the end of June next year.

[Jesper de Jong]

I have the current edition of Effective Java, which is from 2001, and based on Java 1.3/1.4, but everything in the book is still relevant, so even though it's not a new book anymore, I still highly recommend it.

By the way, I was at JavaPolis last week where I saw Joshua Bloch and Neal Gafter (the authors of Effective Java and Java Puzzlers), and I attended their Java Puzzlers talk. It was fun and interesting, they showed 8 new puzzlers.
[ December 15, 2007: Message edited by: Jesper Young ]