Learning Java

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Kyubi_ZA

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To all the Code Monkeys :p

I currently have a diploma in Computer systems engineering and I do have some programing knowledge(C++, PHP) but I want to learn a Language properly :) I am currently working and I am a Part time student. I want to do some courses on Java but I am not sure which courses I can do?

I am looking for a certification that does carry weight locally and is recognized by industries. Any ideas where to begin? or which courses to study and where can It be done? Online etc.
 
From my experience, where or through whom you studied your Java course is of little significance. Prospective employers will want to either see snippets of code from previous projects or will assign you a task to complete; to gauge your skill. So learn the language (in whichever way suits you), write A LOT of code and build a portfolio (getting involved in Open Source projects is an awesome way to accomplish this).
 
Pay more attention on design/planning, than the actual code. Anybody can write code and works well, but that does not mean it was done properly.

I have senior people here who claim to know everything but when you look at their code, you can see there was no planning at all. They just jumped into coding without any proper design.
 
You might want to consider C# instead - you can buy the books (training kit) for a specific topic online, study them exhaustively, and go write the exam. If you pass you earn a Microsoft certification that's accredited all over the world.
 
Take a look at doing the Sun Certified Java Programmers(SCJP) course through Sun Microsystems SA.
Writing the exam and being certified counts for a lot within industry especially if you have the full suite
i.e. SCWCD, SCBCD and SCJA.

Being able to plan and design is important but not at the expense of being able to write decent code.
This comes with experience and I have come across a lot of Software Architects that dont have the solid
technical foundation.

Stepping to C# after doing Java is a lot easier as C# is very similar to Java and there are
fewer 'EE' concepts to grasp in C#. HTH
 
wishblade said:
iirc, they've been replaced with Oracle University...
Click to expand...

They have been, but AFAIK the qualifications are still called that. It's a decent form of qualification and I think it's definitely worth the money if you study on your own.
 
What others said, you can't really teach good design. You can teach someone all the design patterns in the world but in the end it's like handing someone a bunch of Lego blocks, some people just have what it takes to put together something decent, others don't. Naturally experience helps. But in my opinion it's not something you learn, some people just naturally break their programs up into logical units and functions, even from early on without being told that it is a good idea. Those are the people who usually end up writing good code. High cohesion, low coupling is a good check to do after you are done to gauge quality.

My 2c regarding that issue.

@udiS3 said:
Take a look at doing the Sun Certified Java Programmers(SCJP) course through Sun Microsystems SA.
Writing the exam and being certified counts for a lot within industry especially if you have the full suite
i.e. SCWCD, SCBCD and SCJA.

Being able to plan and design is important but not at the expense of being able to write decent code.
This comes with experience and I have come across a lot of Software Architects that dont have the solid
technical foundation.

Stepping to C# after doing Java is a lot easier as C# is very similar to Java and there are
fewer 'EE' concepts to grasp in C#. HTH
Click to expand...
x2

wishblade said:
iirc, they've been replaced with Oracle University...
Click to expand...
Eish, Oracle is like a plague.

@ Kyubi_Brat: Also LOL at your username, you been watching a bit too much Naruto there eh?
 
Last edited:
LoL Yep Naruto Fanboy here :p

Thanks for all the help guys! I guess I will have to decide soon...
 
So where can i write the sun courses(Sun Certified Java Programmers) locally? preferably in Durban.
 
Best would probably be to contact any computer colleges you have out there in Durbs (Torque-IT, etc.)
 
u can buy a voucher online...and then book at any prometric center near u...usually boston college
 
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