Sleep learn Java?

**hdog100** · 08-06-2012, 10:20 PM

Hey there, I've been attempting to learn Java for the past week or so and I'm finding it really difficult. I've only just managed to learn a few things in objects and stuff, and even then I forget a bunch of stuff I've learned and have to re-learn it over and over.

Are there any MP3 files, tapes or just anything that helps me learn Java over night? I hear that sleep learning (subliminal messages) are really good for learning things you find difficult. Preferably free, but if it's the only one you can find and I have to pay for it, I will.

Please don't tell me that sleep learning is a bad idea or whatever, please only post useful information. Thanks.

**awinston** · 08-06-2012, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by hdog100

Please don't tell me that sleep learning is a bad idea or whatever, please only post useful information. Thanks.

I'm afraid that any useful information will have implications that sleep-learning isn't a good idea, especially with something as technical and hands-on as programming.

I think you will find this much more effective: The Java™ Tutorials

**hdog100** · 08-06-2012, 10:38 PM

Hm thanks for the reply, but I've have a quick read over some of the tutorials they teach and I find them a little bit hard to understand. I like the tutorials where they explain everything in a method, statement, class or whatever.

I guess I'm just trying to look for alternative ways of learning Java because I'm awful with any and all languages, but I really want to program video games.

Just to boost my confidence, how long does it usually take to learn Java? Or any other language for that matter. Because I feel like that I have only just touched on Java and it's taken me this long.

Any replies would be great, thanks! (Still looking out for those sleep-learning tutorials though)

**awinston** · 08-06-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by hdog100

Hm thanks for the reply, but I've have a quick read over some of the tutorials they teach and I find them a little bit hard to understand. I like the tutorials where they explain everything in a method, statement, class or whatever.

I guess I'm just trying to look for alternative ways of learning Java because I'm awful with any and all languages, but I really want to program video games.

Just to boost my confidence, how long does it usually take to learn Java? Or any other language for that matter. Because I feel like that I have only just touched on Java and it's taken me this long.

Any replies would be great, thanks! (Still looking out for those sleep-learning tutorials though)

The Java Tutorials are extremely thorough. I recommend that you start here: Lesson: The "Hello World!" Application (The Java™ Tutorials > Getting Started)

It may be hard at first to grasp the concepts, but you need to stick with it if you truly want to learn Java. If you have a question about something that you don't understand in the tutorial, then don't hesitate to ask.

If you aren't comfortable with learning from an online tutorial, then pick yourself up a book like this one.

**kjkrum** · 08-06-2012, 10:52 PM

Sounds to me like you should learn how to learn. And that's not a joke or an insult. You're not likely to find any good tutorials for advanced topics (in Java or any other subject) that don't assume you already know the basics. I'd find a beginner's Java book and don't even think about moving on until you really and truly understand lesson one. Yeah, it'll be slow. But you won't get anywhere at all any other way.

**hdog100** · 08-06-2012, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the advice. I'm good at learning most things, it's just languages I can't do. I just don't understand how I can't learn such a small language (in comparison to real languages like French) Is there any more advise you can give? Such as how I can get better at learning languages? I know you're not an education guru, but I really need this.

**awinston** · 08-06-2012, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by hdog100

Thanks for the advice. I'm good at learning most things, it's just languages I can't do. I just don't understand how I can't learn such a small language (in comparison to real languages like French) Is there any more advise you can give? Such as how I can get better at learning languages? I know you're not an education guru, but I really need this.

You seem to be convinced that you can't learn Java. I know this may sound cheesy, but you really should believe in yourself!

Since Java is your first computer-programming language, the ride may be a little bumpy. That's okay. Just stay dedicated and don't get down on yourself every time you are having difficulties.

**Fubarable** · 08-07-2012, 12:05 AM

The key is to write lots and lots of code; there's no substitute for that.

**Junky** · 08-07-2012, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by hdog100

I've have a quick read over some of the tutorials

Well there's ya problem!

You need to take an indepth read of the tutorials. Take your time. At the end when you still don't understand read them again and again and again. There is no magic bullet.

**.paul.** · 08-07-2012, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Junky

Well there's ya problem!

You need to take an indepth read of the tutorials. Take your time. At the end when you still don't understand read them again and again and again. There is no magic bullet.

+ write out the assignments + examples + extend them in self devised ways, the IDE helps you to try + test ideas. google things you don't understand + find a better description

BTW. i dream of programming + it's never done me any harm:D

**doWhile** · 08-07-2012, 06:31 AM

Cross posted: Sleep learn Java?

**JosAH** · 08-07-2012, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by hdog100

Just to boost my confidence, how long does it usually take to learn Java?

For a first programming language? At least ten years. If it's your umptieth language it'll take a couple of months up to a year or so; and you need to be awake, there's no free lunch.

kind regards,

Jos

**pakupakuman** · 10-02-2012, 08:42 PM

Hello -

From one beginner to another, I can't help you with sleep learning, but I'll recommend the book "An Introduction to Java Programming and Object-Oriented Application Development" (Johnson), Course Technology / Cengage Learning.
ISBN-13: 978-0-619-21746-4
ISBN-10: 0-619-21746-4

It starts from the very basics and moves on from there. Very thorough explaining concepts and terms. Examples are easy to understand, and the author actually walks you through the code with line descriptions.

Practice with the code, have fun with it. Shake things around a bit. I've written a couple of very basic programs to test concepts beyond the provided examples.

I'm currently toying with a simple guess-the-number game (funnily enough, someone else wrote about booleans and a guess-the-number game for their cs class today!). I've turned it around from "you have 3 tries" to "do it in the least amount of tries". I will then add "high scores" for read-write purposes, and then change it from input boxes to buttons, and eventually switch it to graphics and sounds. Step by step. Ease into it.

Good luck!

**rru96** · 10-02-2012, 08:56 PM

If you have a hard time reading and comprehending, look around online for videos and other ways.
One person who has done a lot of videos that might help is "thenewboston" on facebook. I think that is his name. Has over 70 or so videos on java that might help undertstand it in a different way. Also check out Java Video Tutorials: Learn Java the easy way! for some more videos. These are just some that I found. I also have a link to a Java for Dummies book - java for dummies by - read the free ebook now from ePub Bud!

Another good thing is to read the problems people are having here, and follow that thread while trying to learn where their code is wrong.