Which is easier to start with (j2se,j2ee) just after core java ?

[Jo Jake]

I was very new to Java, then in few weeks time I have just finished now learning core java using HeadFirst Java book. But I didn't covered the topics on GUI - (swing,awt) . Now, I would like to know your suggestions regarding which is the easiest part to learn next in Java - Is that GUI topics like swing, awt so that I would be directing towards Desktop applications (right ?). Or is it easier to learn j2EE (jsp, servlets, ejb, jsf, frameworks like spring etc). I don't know anything other than core java topics I just learned. Though I had more than 3 years of PHP based web development, I thought to shift into Java due to some reasons! But I would like to know which part of Java is easier to start learning - Desktop app or web app ? As far as I come to know, it seems a lot of time and involvement is required to work on web side as I hear a lot of complexities in here such as EJB, JSF, frameworks, etc.

Also, please let me know what all do we have in Java to deal with database Or what we should learn to wire java app with database. Is that same for web development as well as desktop app ?

Thanks so much in advance to any and all advices I get from this forum.

[Jesus Angeles]

Because you know PHP (and html I presume) very well, JSP and servlets, will be peanuts to you. You can breeze through it, and appreciate the power of java on the html arena. Grab a copy of Head First Scwcd book (which ever is the latest version, if any), and I guarantee you that you will enjoy learning it, and learn it well too.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Don’t say j2se or j2ee. The names have been changed. You have already learned the standard edition if you learned core Java™. I would recommend the Java Tutorials to learn about database connectivity.

[Jo Jake]

Thanks Jesus & Campbell for quick response. If I am right JDBC would be usable on Desktop apps and Web apps, isn't ?
Also can somebody help me to understand where does other Java terminologies comes into role for example like EJB, JSF etc. ( Web apps, Desktop app, Core Java ?)
As am very new to Java, I request you experts to give me a brief idea on which Java terminologies is dealing with which stuffs. So that I would get a direction and path for learning, also an idea on which technology of Java deals with what. I do really appreciate and thankful for your time and efforts.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Yes, you can use JDBC for desktop apps and three-layer web applications.

[Deepak Bala]

The answer to your question depends on your goal. Do you want to learn a technology / component 'which is easier' or do you want to learn something that would want to make employers hire you ? Or are you just trying to equip yourself with knowledge ?

[Jo Jake]

Actually I was looking for technology change from PHP to Java. (I'm more than 3 years experienced in PHP based web development) I would like to ascend in my career but with PHP I don't see any big firms using it in large scale, so the opportunity to go higher levels and higher salary for PHP seems lesser). But, I would have to know learning which technology in Java would be more time consuming in advance because if moving towards web development and to get hired for the same requires knowledge of jsp,jsf,frameworks,ejb etc and more (I don't know what all comes in Java web), then which requires too much of time isn't ? I thought if Core Java development requires less time to study, then I could try for a Job related with Core Java development. I already done learning Core Java from HeadFirst Java book. Now, in a stage thinking which thing to learn immediate next so as to get Job opportunity in Java.

With the help of other experts who posted comments here before explained me that learning JDBC is a must because its used in both Core Java development as well as Web app development. Also please see my previous comment :

Jo Jake wrote:I was very new to Java, then in few weeks time I have just finished now learning core java using HeadFirst Java book. But I didn't covered the topics on GUI - (swing,awt) . Now, I would like to know your suggestions regarding which is the easiest part to learn next in Java - Is that GUI topics like swing, awt so that I would be directing towards Desktop applications (right ?). Or is it easier to learn j2EE (jsp, servlets, ejb, jsf, frameworks like spring etc). I don't know anything other than core java topics I just learned. Though I had more than 3 years of PHP based web development, I thought to shift into Java due to some reasons! But I would like to know which part of Java is easier to start learning - Desktop app or web app ? As far as I come to know, it seems a lot of time and involvement is required to work on web side as I hear a lot of complexities in here such as EJB, JSF, frameworks, etc.

Also, please let me know what all do we have in Java to deal with database Or what we should learn to wire java app with database. Is that same for web development as well as desktop app ?

Thanks so much in advance to any and all advices I get from this forum.

[Jesus Angeles]

I have been doing jee for 3 years. My tip is, search job sites for your target job role/s. This activity will identify what skills you need to learn. You can even filter your search to geographical location, thereby identifying what is in demand in your preferred place of work.

There are 3 areas above java core: jse, jee, and jme. Jme is for mobile applications. I would put it the job market demand distribution like this (just my feeling): jee=70%, jse 25%, jme 5%.

I work with jee, but I get assigned to make sockets, and gui swing applications too (which are probably both considered part of jse).

web: jsp (a servlet underneath, and similar to php), servlet
web, others: jsf (framework), applets (gui swing and applets are probably 95% using same classes), javafx (similar to applets, coded differently)

business: ejb

remoting: xml web services on top of either ejb or servlets, rmi, java sockets

to talk to database: jdbc (now considered very low level because there are lots of higher level easier to use alternatives that are also less error-prone), jpa (the best for db. most likely uses jdbc underneath, - note: i only mention stuff from sun/oracle here. many other products out there)

mobile: jme (i know nothing on this, but it probably has only a half of one percent share of the mobile market)


Now, for those not from sun/oracle: it is flooding (in a good way) with java-based alternatives there that are pluggable (some with extra effort) into your java system.


web, others: struts 1, struts 2, spring mvc

business: spring framework

remoting: spring's many technologies, e.g. web services, hessian web service, etc.

to talk to database: hibernate

mobile:dunno

[Jo Jake]

Thanks You Jesus for giving me a good picture on various Java technologies.

[arulk pillai]

You need to know Java Standard Edition (JSE) before you can look at the Java Enterprise edition (JEE).

[Jesus Angeles]

Jo,

I also was in your situation. I was a mainframe cobol programmer who knew nothing about java.

I took this route, for 2 years while I was doing my cobol job: read jse, focused on java core and took certification, study html, css, javascript, study jsp/servlets and took certification, study on ejb and took certification, study java web services and took certification, study jpa and took its certification.

Depending on your actual job, you may or may not use some java technologies.

On my other post, add portlet, which is a web technology similar to servlets, but used for portal applications (something like, modular, window-like, multiple jsp per web page)

Jesus

[Jo Jake]

Good to see you Jesus, you gave me an inspiration as you were much like me in the way starting with Java. I am also looking forward to build such a career and to take all such certifications in future.