Best way to learn Java

[patmahe]

Hi all,

Studied Java 7 years ago in College, so am reasonably well up on the basics of OO programming etc... the thing is I haven't used it (or any programming language) since so I'm a bit rusty, but now I've landed a job where it will be required and I'll need to get back into it in a big way and pretty quickly too.

What books, online tutorials etc have you found to be good for teaching yourself the language. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[Landlord]

If you want to go the book route...

Do you have access to Kindle (either the unit itself, PC or on a phone)? If so, just get samples of a bunch of books to learn Java. Then you can find out which one(s) suit your learning/reading style. What I did/am doing with C#.

[DevestatinDave]

I found 'Head First Java' to be pretty helpful. However if you are already familiar with OO it might be a bit simplistic in the initial chapters at least. Alternatively, my preferred method for learning a language is thinking of an app that I would actually use then build it in my language of choce. Helps to gain familiarity with the libraries etc.

[MH]

Don't, whatever you do, post that question in the computer section !

Mike

[E Ponym]

The best way to learn any programming language is to write a decent chunky program that actually does something.

Think of things you or your family/friends actually want to do and write a program to do it.

You need to go through the process of investigation, design, programming, debug, customer review and then back to the top again - before you can say you have "learnt" a language. Even then you will have to accept that very few applications will have complete coverage of all the features of a language - so there will be gaps.

A suggestion is to write a home inventory system that uses a database to store details of your possessions from room-to-room so you can work out a value for everything for insurance purposes. Allow it to tie in with photographs of each room (click on an area of the photo and see the asset it contains) so you can photograph things to make it easy. Make it produce a print log of everything so you can send it to the ins. co. Each asset should allow details of purchase price, where from, serial number etc.

You get the gist - once you have built this application and it has been used by family members then you have nearly mastered the language. You can't beat practical experience.

And you will have something you can show and discuss at an interview.

Russ

[slow_poke]

E Ponym said:

A suggestion is to write a home inventory system that uses a database to store details of your possessions from room-to-room so you can work out a value for everything for insurance purposes. Allow it to tie in with photographs of each room (click on an area of the photo and see the asset it contains) so you can photograph things to make it easy. Make it produce a print log of everything so you can send it to the ins. co. Each asset should allow details of purchase price, where from, serial number etc.

Ya do all that, and then some dirty scrote burgles away your computer.

[E Ponym]

slow_poke said:

Ya do all that, and then some dirty scrote burgles away your computer.

A good way to learn about security, encryption and password protection.