want to learn Java

...

depends on what level of java you want to learn.

java is a VERY expansive (expansive not expensive) language covering pretty much all areas of computing.

My help to you is go to a book store near you or an online booke store and look for a book on java, skim through the first few pages to make sure you can read it understandibly, buy it, read it and do the lessons it says. The book (if brand new) should come with software for you to write your programs in but if it doesnt you can download a good one from www.eclipse.org (3.2 is the latest one they have), otherwise, you can write it notepad (if your running Windows) and compile it using a batch file (which can also be written in notepad)

You can also go here for some little lessons and such to get your started

http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-03-2000/jw-0331-java101.html

Hope This Helps

-HDL_CinC_Dragon

HDL_CinC_Dragona at 2007-7-14 20:37:28 >

>it depends on the person, if you had formal programming experience like C or

>C++ it would not be that hard for you to learn Java, if you are a Visual Basic

>programmer though you would be adjusting alot.

I disagree, VB is very similar to C. They just use different syntax to do the a lot of the same things.

>as i have said, depends on you. if your starting out Java as your first

>programming language it would also be good because there will be no

>conflict in learning the language.

Also disagree. If you already know a few languages and understand concepts like OOP and MVC then I would say learning Java would be much easier.

As others have said what you can do in Java is quite large so at first it can feel quite daunting, but once you figure out what is want to do and identify what is icing versus required then it starts to look much simpler.

javaksa at 2007-7-14 20:37:28 >

> I disagree, VB is very similar to C. They just use

> different syntax to do the a lot of the same things.

yes it's similar but VB doesn't explicitly use pointers, and that is very important.

C programmers are not so lucky. They need pointers to access strings, arrays, objects, and even files. In Visual Basic, you do not use pointers for any of these entities, nor do you need to worry about memory allocation for them. On the other hand, many data structures are difficult to implement in a pointerless language. Java gives you the best of both worlds. You do not need pointers for everyday constructs like strings and arrays. You have the power of pointers if you need it, for example, for linked lists. And you always have complete safety, because you can never access a bad pointer, make memory allocation errors, or have to protect against memory leaking away.

--

Nywled

Redxxiva at 2007-7-14 20:37:28 >

I too have learned most of what i know by myself though everyone will agree on this: i still have a LOT to learn. I took a 1 year class in school that didnt really take me very far and i was always waiting far too long for the next lesson becuase i had nailed the lesson in pretty much the first day or two that it was taught. But im a computer addict (yes i said it and now the healing can begin) and i soak up anything that is computers and just overall technology. in the the past 2 or 3 months of teaching myself programming, ive learned more than i did in that 9 month class. Java is very easy to learn and i think once you learn it youll do it for more than jsut a job but entertainment, i know i do... or maybe im just crazy... either way

HDL_CinC_Dragona at 2007-7-14 20:37:28 >

> thanks HDL_CinC_Dragon, this is sounding great, there

> are alot of great replies on this thread,

>

> i know Java is famous, a cross platform program (cell

> phones, computer games, computer programs) and it

> seems to have an enthusiastic cult following,

>

> Java is certainly sounding interesting,

>

> i am not a college graduate, if i learn Java and i

> become good at it, is it possible for me to practice

> Java professionally without a college degree ?

>

> Message was edited by:

> changintimes

Yes but most jobs I see listed require a degree. If you're good, though, it won't matter.

Norweeda at 2007-7-21 9:59:28 >

> i am not a college graduate, if i learn Java and i become good at it, is

> it possible for me to practice Java professionally without a college degree ?

Sure, why not? But beware though: there's more to computer science

than a language; suppose someone studies Dutch for years, knows the

entire vocabulary, syntax, collocquials etc. etc. but has nothing intelligent

to say?

On top of that language are clever algorithms, data structures etc. etc.

which can be *expressed* in a certain language. You have to study these

algorithms etc. too.

kind regards,

Jos

JosAHa at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

> Sure, why not? But beware though: there's more to

> computer science

> than a language; suppose someone studies Dutch for

> years, knows the

> entire vocabulary, syntax, collocquials etc. etc. but

> has nothing intelligent

> to say?

Those that have something intelligent to say study French anyway. ;p

CeciNEstPasUnProgrammeura at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

> thanks HDL_CinC_Dragon, this is sounding great, there

> are alot of great replies on this thread,

Thats what we're here for ;-)

> i know Java is famous, a cross platform program (cell

> phones, computer games, computer programs) and it

> seems to have an enthusiastic cult following,

thats because Java rocks!

> Java is certainly sounding interesting,

It is =)

> i am not a college graduate, if i learn Java and i

> become good at it, is it possible for me to practice

> Java professionally without a college degree ?

Again that depends on your employer, most would look for a college degree but im sure they wouldnt bar you out of a job just based on that. Once you really get the hang on the Java language they might ask you to do some things for them to see what your knowledge level of the language is. Be aware though it can take years to learn Java enough to go professional with it. that depends on the person learning it but if you start now, in maybe two years you can be working as a professional Java programmer! =D

HDL_CinC_Dragona at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

I too want to learn Java.

I have been a full time developer for 12 years developing in VB and ASP (VBScript).

I just ordered "Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies" and "Head First Java" from Amazon based on their reviews for newbies.

I too was wondering how long it would take to learn if I was willing to buy the books and study. What is everyone's opinion of how long it would take to learn to be good enough to get a job working on business applications?

Merlixa at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

> u heard about scjp exam?let me answer u .tht exam is

> conducted by the creator of java language(yes ,sun

> microsystem).the exam is considered to be one of the

> hardest and twisting exam in the computer field.and

> when u pass the exam ,u r considered an international

> level java programmer

Possibly the hardest twisting exam in a potato field.

ScarletPimpernela at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

> does anybody else have any encouraging thoughts that

> could be argued against the last few posts ?

Yes. Go for it, and don't let anyone discourage you (including yourself). I've been teaching myself Java for several years now (since 2002, and one never stops learning), and I've writing Java professionally for almost the same amount of time (after a *significant* career shift). It's the first programming language I learned (unless you count PHP, but that's a stretch), and I started by picking it up as a hobby. I didn't complete my undergraduate degree until after I was developing professionally, and I'm now almost halfway done with two graduate degrees, so don't assume college is an absolute prerequisite.

If you're interested, you have some aptitude, and you're willing to work hard, you can make anything happen.

> i am disabled

Only if you let yourself be.

Best wishes...

~

yawmarka at 2007-7-21 9:59:29 >

I would say that a significant portion of weather or not you can do this work as a consultant has to do a lot with your personality. You have to give a company a reason why they should want you, not only for technical skills as many people can have tech skills, but also the social skills as well as the aptitude to program well.

Good luck to you.

Aknibbsa at 2007-7-21 9:59:33 >