Java for tards

[Weenus]

I will be taking a comp sci class at college next quarter learning java, i have never programmed before and i would like to get a head start in learning the language.

Do you have any tips as to where i can go to learn the basics, like a website or a book that would get me started?

Thanks!

 

[MrChad]

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html

 

[duragezic]

Do you know what book is required for the class yet? If so just order it up online and start with the early chapters and examples. That and the online tutorial mentioned... should get you plenty ahead to breeze through it once it starts.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

http://www.bluej.org/

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: MrChad
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html

 

[minofifa]

i just finished my first java course at school (literally, i wrote the final an hour ago).

Along with the course textbook, which was pretty good, i also bought Java for Dummies. I am about half way through that right now and it pretty much followed what was taught in the class in the same order. I guess there is a certain way to cover the topics to best teach/understand them. I like jave for dummies so far. The examples are explained well, and the topics are broken up nicely.

If you are new to the whole java thing, you may find that getting started with java programming on your computer is a bit daunting and stressful. In fact i had to take my laptop into the computer help desk and ahve them set it up. When you install the java SDK in windows at least, you have to set the variable path. I found that somewhat confusing. Also, insted of using a text editor and a comand promt to compile your code, you can use a program that links the two. I would recommend textpad. It is a text editor that has a "compile" option in its menu, very handy.

 

[leggomyeggroll]

Weenus, if you're going to take the class next quarter you might as well just wait, or just get the book that they'll be using for that class. Learning programming from scratch is pretty tough. There's a lot to cover, especially in object oriented languages such as Java. What you should keep in mind is problem solving using object oriented design/programming, most of your assignments will be using logic to solve a problem whereas the problem can be approached in different ways due to the high level language used.