Are you looking to learn java for beginners? This is a more common problem than you think, especially among older learners. There is no shortage of great Java for beginners courses for people looking to learn their first programming language. However, all that information can be overwhelming.
Most beginners waste months bouncing around multiple sites, trying to figure out how to approach learning Java. In this post, we intend to change all that. We’ll be looking at the most practical way to learn Java and prepare for a career using that knowledge.
Why Learn Java
There are a variety of reasons why you should choose Java as your first programming language. Let’s check out some of them.
It is beginner-friendly
Though it is one of the oldest programming languages around, it’s still one of the most rewarding to learn long term. It is concise, has consistent syntax, and allows you to tackle real-world tasks faster and easier.
A cross-platform programming language
It is a flexible object-oriented programming language that borrows a lot of its syntax from older languages like C, C++, etc. With Java, you only need to write your code once and run it virtually anywhere with the help of the Java virtual machine.
Open-source
It is backed by multiple open-source libraries built over decades of contributions. High demand
According to a survey carried out by Stack overflow, Java is the fifth most in-demand programming language for over two years now. It remains relevant to date and is used in E-commerce, Finance, gaming, and app development.
How to Build a Self-study Plan
The very first step towards learning the Java programming language is coming up with a self-study plan that optimizes your learning. It helps you track your progress and make the best of the resources you have available to you.
- The first thing you should try is running a basic Hello World program in Java. Try to figure out the logic behind it and not just copy.
- Learn and practice the fundamentals of the Java programming language. This means syntax, program flow, data structures, paradigms, etc.
- Dig into OOP concepts and get familiar with them. Practice encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism.
- Start projects, do exercise, and just code in general. You will get better the more your practice.
- Experiment with what you’ve learned, start small projects and learn to enjoy the work.
Best Sources to Learn Java
Together with the fundamentals, you need to get familiar with other great sources for information. They’ll keep you constantly learning and improving your coding skills. You should check out the following sources.
Java Bootcamps
Java Boot camps teach the fundamentals of java to beginners and prepare them to take on junior-level positions in the industry. They last for about 12 weeks or more, and you don’t need to have a coding background to join a boot camp.
Tech Elevator and CodingNomads are both excellent resources. They condense the fundamentals, OOP concepts, and exercises. They also provide conducive environments that encourage competition, remote learning, and rapid improvements.
Java Online Course for Beginners
Java for beginners courses is in some ways better than boot camps. Some can be just as intensive, if not more, and you don’t need to wait months before you can enroll. Code Gym is an excellent resource for learning Java at your speed.
They have a more progressive approach to teaching Core Java. Their course covers the basics of the language, OOP, multithreading, collections, and so much more. It is structured like a video game, with a level-up system, fun tasks, and an overarching story about robots. There are over 1200 practical tasks and several lessons you’ll learn to build emulators, games, etc. There is also a validator that will help you solve tasks you can’t solve
Udacity is an industry-famous learning platform that programmers of all skill levels can use. They offer dozens of skill-based courses, one of which is java for beginners.
Java Tutorials for Beginners
If you are looking to learn new technologies or specific aspects of the Java programming language, then you should try Oracle and TutsPlus.
Oracle is focused on tech and software development first and foremost, but they do have free classes on Java APIs, Deploying applications, and other important topics. Tutsplus, on the other hand, is a great free online resource for design, illustration, programming, etc.
Java Blogs
Reading the blog, Reddit, and forum posts of established developers and companies is one of the fastest ways to level up your coding skills. You are exposed to both the technical, career strategy, and realities of programming.
You will also learn hacks, great practices, and routines of the most successful professionals in your field. Software how and Developer.com are great blogs to consult and read.
Youtube
YouTube can be a great learning resource if you know what to look out for. You will find everything from the basics to more complex and nuanced applications like JSP and Servlets, etc. Derek Banas and Programming knowledge are both accomplished channels on the platform with great videos.
Still Have Questions?
FreeCodeCamp, Github, Hackernews, and Stackoverflow are great sites you can visit to get answers to questions you might have about coding.
FreeCodeCamp is an online website where you can learn to code for free. They have an extensive library of video courses, tutorials and have helped over 40,000 people land jobs at tech companies like Amazon and Spotify.
Github is a repository hosting website where over 65 million developers share their future projects and software together and contribute to the open-source community.
Hackernews is a social news site on computer science and entrepreneurship, and StackOverflow is a question and answer site for programmers.
Wrap Up
Java was first launched by Oracle back in 1995, and though it has gone through many changes, and remains relevant to this very day. Taking Java for beginners courses from engaging learning platforms like CodeGym will give you a stable foundation and skill to land you your first job as a junior programmer.
FAQs
What laptop do I to learn Java?
You can learn Java on any laptop. However, it is advisable to get a machine learning laptop.
What is the fastest way to learn Java?
Unless you have prior experience with another programming language, there is no fast way to learn Java. It takes years of practice.
Is it easy to learn Java?
Yes, it is. Java shares a similar syntax with the English language. It also has a clean and consistent syntax and grammar and is a popular programming language for kids to learn.
How long will it take to Learn Java?
It will take you anywhere between six months and a decade to be truly proficient at coding with Java.
