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Java - Where to get started?
- Thread starter Patty
- Start date
martin
Expert Member
I have a number of years of Java experience under the belt. I'd recommend that you start by downloading the NetBeans IDE. NetBeans is very noob friendly and pretty simple to use but still powerful enough for enterprise level applications.
Once you're more comfortable with the environment and the Java way of doing things I'd recommend you give the Eclipse IDE a go. Eclipse is probably a more flexible (and thus more powerful) IDE but probably not as user-friendly as NetBeans when you're starting out with a new language. Eclipse is considered the industry standard as fas as I'm aware so it looks good on a CV too! It's possible to port your projects from NetBeans to Eclipse with tutorials available online so don't worry about that.
That's my 2 cents.
There's also the "book way" to go about things ... if you used to learning via books then consider learning from "Head First Java" since it might explain things from a "new to java" perspective ... I didn't read that specific book myself though but I know that the Head First series are quite good at explaining thing to people "new to stuff"
But most people seem to have the following advice:
"Just write code"
*EDIT*
Just realized Netbeans also has java tutorials for you to learn from ... so that IDE could be good enough to start from
martin
Expert Member
There's also the "book way" to go about things ... if you used to learning via books then consider learning from "Head First Java" since it might explain things from a "new to java" perspective ... I didn't read that specific book myself though but I know that the Head First series are quite good at explaining thing to people "new to stuff"
But most people seem to have the following advice:
"Just write code"
*EDIT*
Just realized Netbeans also has java tutorials for you to learn from ... so that IDE could be good enough to start from
I've haven't looked at Java books in years so I didn't feel comfortable recommeding any. Thanks for this! I have a friend who's interested in Java too so I'll tell him to go check it out.
No thread of this nature would be complete without this
grok
Honorary Master
If you're a complete beginner to Java & OO programming I'd recommend the BlueJ system.
Book + software combo specifically designed by a university for teaching Java.
http://www.bluej.org/ gets you started.
Book + software combo specifically designed by a university for teaching Java.
http://www.bluej.org/ gets you started.
MattWalsch
Member
It good spot to bookmark is www.javaworld.com
Well, start by downloading both the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and the JDK (Java Development Kit) version SE from:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-6u27-download-440405.html
&
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre-6u27-download-440425.html
Version 7 is really the latest, but stick to version 6.27 for compatibility with the books and the other stuff for now.
You can write JAVA in notepad now, and compile it through the windows console. It becomes a bit tedious, but people do it for experience.
If you want an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which makes the code easier to work with, then get ECLIPSE.
{Netbeans is an alternative, but I find it tricky to uninstall etc. so it causes some frustration.}
Install Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, 128 MB and pick either the 32bit version:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/do...e/indigo/SR1/eclipse-jee-indigo-SR1-win32.zip
or 64bit or depending on what PC you are using.
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/do.../SR1/eclipse-java-indigo-SR1-win32-x86_64.zip
Now you need a book to go through:
Pick one that's a recent edition like 2010 or 2011.
Some good ones are:
BIG JAVA (4th Edition) by Cay Horstman.
JAVA PROGRAMMING (5th Edition) by Joyce Farrell
There are others that people will recommend, but some are great for the 1st few chapters and then tend to lose beginners quite rapidly. Other authors pick the most boring examples that continue throughout the book so you can't escape them.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-6u27-download-440405.html
&
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre-6u27-download-440425.html
Version 7 is really the latest, but stick to version 6.27 for compatibility with the books and the other stuff for now.
You can write JAVA in notepad now, and compile it through the windows console. It becomes a bit tedious, but people do it for experience.
If you want an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which makes the code easier to work with, then get ECLIPSE.
{Netbeans is an alternative, but I find it tricky to uninstall etc. so it causes some frustration.}
Install Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, 128 MB and pick either the 32bit version:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/do...e/indigo/SR1/eclipse-jee-indigo-SR1-win32.zip
or 64bit or depending on what PC you are using.
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/do.../SR1/eclipse-java-indigo-SR1-win32-x86_64.zip
Now you need a book to go through:
Pick one that's a recent edition like 2010 or 2011.
Some good ones are:
BIG JAVA (4th Edition) by Cay Horstman.
JAVA PROGRAMMING (5th Edition) by Joyce Farrell
There are others that people will recommend, but some are great for the 1st few chapters and then tend to lose beginners quite rapidly. Other authors pick the most boring examples that continue throughout the book so you can't escape them.
Last edited:
martin
Expert Member
Great advice Lounger!
Patty, pretty much everything you need to get started is in this post. I'd personally still give Netbeans a look first (but that's probably because I've never had any problems uninstalling it).
As Lounger mentioned, you could even write your code in Notepad and so gain first-hand experience on the importance of your classpath as well as the undocumented joys of Java masochism
. Just kidding Lounger, great post!
get a straight forward book like java for dummies or something.
What gets most people who start with java is understanding how java finds your compiled code and runs it. Its more confusing than any other language for a beginner. The dreaded "CLASSPATH"
If you start by using one of the above mentioned fancy IDE's you will never learn this imo. My advise is to use your favorite text editor and learn how to set up your PATH and CLASSPATH variables. Knowing this as early as possible will save you a lot of grief.
What gets most people who start with java is understanding how java finds your compiled code and runs it. Its more confusing than any other language for a beginner. The dreaded "CLASSPATH"
If you start by using one of the above mentioned fancy IDE's you will never learn this imo. My advise is to use your favorite text editor and learn how to set up your PATH and CLASSPATH variables. Knowing this as early as possible will save you a lot of grief.
kds
Well-Known Member
The Head First series is highly recommended, but since I have not read it, I cannot tell you how good it really is, I think it is a good start though. I would stay away from an IDE until you are comfortable with the language. Notepad++ or JEdit come with syntax highlighting, and you will then compile and run your applications on the command line. To test your knowledge and prove your proficiency, go for certification. You can also checkout javablackbelt.com to test your knowledge.
If you are aiming to use Java in the workplace, then once you are proficient with the language, you should investigate something like JPA, Servlets, JSF / JSP, Tomcat / JBoss. But make sure this is where your company needs your help.
If you are aiming to use Java in the workplace, then once you are proficient with the language, you should investigate something like JPA, Servlets, JSF / JSP, Tomcat / JBoss. But make sure this is where your company needs your help.