How did you learn Java?

[Learning Java]

Just thought it would be interesting to ask... how did you learn Java? Did you take a course at school, teach yourself, or what? And how did you find the whole learning process?

edit - Think I shouldn't have posted this here, sorry :o

Thanks

[m00nchile]

Well, I don't think the mods will mind to much, since the topic is kinda relevant in the New to Java context.
To get on topic, I started of with C++, just to see what this whole programming shebang is all about. Then when I started university, the programming courses were in Java and I kinda stuck with it, since I think Java is quite a likable language. So far, the courses were more of a get everyone to even ground, since Programming 1 and 2 were pretty much no brainers for me, but the courses we have now (Algorithms and Data structures) are getting more advanced, they introduce us to concepts like iteration vs. recursion, pathfinding algorithms, dynamic programming and so on.

[Sno]

B.S. Computer Science Student
2 Years High School - Java, HTML
4 Years College - Java, VB, C++, HTML, JS,
1 Summer Internship - JS - EXTjs, java

Languages:
Java
Javascript + extjs
VisualBasic
C++
html

[AMaineJR]

I learned Visual Basic on my own using websites and source code from PlanetSourceCode to learn how different people did different things. Then I went to college for IT, which I'm just now a senior, so all the fun computer science stuff has really started. C/C++ is my strongest language, but only because I've had 3 courses using it. Java is the direct relative of C++, and a much easier language to use for me.

If I were you, I'd suggest doing some small coding challenges. I don't know of any on a website, ready made, but I learned the most doing labs for class. Some of the ones I remember are things like coding different outputs, such as:

..*
.**
***
.**
..*

Using different loop structures (forget the ., they are for formatting). I remember one was writing a class file that inherited from another class. Seems like one we did using virtual classes in multiple inheritance to solve the diamond problem, but that was C++. I've had to create simple user interfaces to solve calculations for a pool company. All kinds of little things. But it's those little problems that seem easy that run you into something you don't know how to do, and have to look it up, which is where the real strength of any programmer lies. Knowing how to find the information on how to solve the problem. I don't know of one person who soaks up everything like a sponge. It's mainly the research that is the strong point in a programmer. That and basic logic/mathematical skills. Get a paperback book though. And go through the exercises at the end of the chapters. They actually build skills.

On a side note, does anyone know of a website that has challenges ranging from n00b to expert for different coding languages? I found hackthissite.org that has a programming challenges section, which is awesome btw.

[Eranga]

I start with C/C++ from the school. Then after move to different languages doing self study. That's the best way I feel. Most of the time what I'm doing is, whatever comes to my mind write into a code using different languages time to time, C/C++, .Net, Java, etc..

[JosAH]

I was in the middle of studying Objective C; I liked that language a lot, despite that fact that is was mainly an 'apple world'. One day a colleague notified me of Java: a simple language with a C/C++ like syntax. I got curious and didn't like Java one bit: it lacked some of the fancy features present in Objective C and it was slow as hell (I'm talking the late 1990s here).

Java became popular and I had to pay attention to it; Objective C is still mainly an 'apple world' but I suspect that James Gosling had an Apple on his desk because so many classes from the Java early core distribution must've been stole^H^H^H^Hborrowed from the Objective C core library; the similarity can't be coincidental ...

kind regards,

Jos

[Eranga]

I love C/C++. People will make perfect with that I think, as a programmer.

[Learning Java]

Thanks for sharing guys.

Just out of curiosity... are any of you from the UK? I could be wrong but I get the impression that in countries like America you have a lot more programming courses available. I'm starting University in October on a 3 year BSC in Computer Networks degree, which does have some programming modules, but I doubt that will get me to the standard I want to be at. I had this idea that I'd study Java in my own time and then go for a MSC in Software Engineering after my BSC... but now I wonder whether it's a realistic goal (for me anyway) to reach a good standard by self study.

I have been looking for Java specific programming courses but unfortunately haven't had any luck.

[Tolls]

In the UK you generally pick up your specific (useful) knowledge wherever you work first.
I doubt that's changed in the 20+ years since I left Poly.

[Eranga]

Thanks for sharing guys.

Just out of curiosity... are any of you from the UK? I could be wrong but I get the impression that in countries like America you have a lot more programming courses available. I'm starting University in October on a 3 year BSC in Computer Networks degree, which does have some programming modules, but I doubt that will get me to the standard I want to be at. I had this idea that I'd study Java in my own time and then go for a MSC in Software Engineering after my BSC... but now I wonder whether it's a realistic goal (for me anyway) to reach a good standard by self study.

I have been looking for Java specific programming courses but unfortunately haven't had any luck.

Sorry, I'm a Sri Lankan. But I think in most of the Universities in the world offers such courses. More than the standard of the course you take, your contribution is the key role. :)

[Learning Java]

More than the standard of the course you take, your contribution is the key role.

Agreed :D.....

[Eranga]

Experience make you perfect. Actually with the time you becomes the best in.

[Eranga]

If you can search on our forum. About the similar topic we have discuss several times here. You may find lots of useful hints from there as well.

[Learning Java]

I'll do that, cheers mate.