Two Plus Two Newer Archives  

Go Back   Two Plus Two Newer Archives > 2+2 Communities > EDF
FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-10-2007, 04:42 PM
tshort tshort is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,143
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I would also recommend considering Scheme (a dialect of Lisp).

[/ QUOTE ]

Recommending someone learn Scheme as their first language seems like a good way to turn them off programming forever [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] python for really fast and easy developement of small projects

[/ QUOTE ]

I should have included the standard Scheme / Lisp disclaimer. OP, learn Python then take a stab at Scheme.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-10-2007, 05:35 PM
Tupacia Tupacia is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Money Long Like Arms on Alonzo Mourning
Posts: 753
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

If all you want to do with Java is to program a few little apps that will help you at the office, why don't you just outsource it via Elance.com? There are tons of competent cheap programmers who would complete your app and you could save yourself from learning the hassles of learning to program.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-10-2007, 06:28 PM
Keepitsimple Keepitsimple is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Göteborg
Posts: 3,368
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

I would just buy this from somebody competent. There is really no point learning java if you only need a few apps.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-10-2007, 10:50 PM
ArturiusX ArturiusX is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 9,762
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

Thing is, I need to learn java, there's no other option [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-10-2007, 10:55 PM
gumpzilla gumpzilla is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,911
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

[ QUOTE ]
Thing is, I need to learn java, there's no other option [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not? Can you expand?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-10-2007, 11:57 PM
Duke Duke is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SW US
Posts: 5,853
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Thing is, I need to learn java, there's no other option [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not? Can you expand?

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought he said that he wanted to hook code in to some other application that only supported a "java-like" language.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-11-2007, 12:08 AM
gumpzilla gumpzilla is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,911
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Thing is, I need to learn java, there's no other option [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not? Can you expand?

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought he said that he wanted to hook code in to some other application that only supported a "java-like" language.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I missed his follow up. My fault.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-10-2007, 11:00 PM
turnipmonster turnipmonster is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: ain\'t got no flyin\' shoes
Posts: 6,353
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

if you need java specifically then just sign up for a class. you can learn it on your own, but a class will make the process a lot more straightforward and you probably won't waste as much time spinning your wheels.

also, read up on object oriented programming concepts here . understanding this stuff is essential if you want to have a good grasp of how stuff works in java.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-11-2007, 12:36 AM
Chips Ahoy Chips Ahoy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Future home of the A\'s
Posts: 105
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

[ QUOTE ]
I thought EDF might be a good place to ask this question, it seems we have a lot of bright individuals here who could give me some good advice.

My day job would be greatly enhanced if I could learn java to code some apps to assist me. Trouble is, I suck at programming. I've never really programmed apart from some basic HTML stuff for some random sites, and some qbasic I did in school many eons ago. Is there any hope for me as a coder? What should I guy like me do to earn this new skill?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe the best way to learn programming is to write programs. Unfortunately there are many programs you would fail if you tried to write. There are some that are trivial to write. It's a pretty steep curve where the project only needs slightly harder requirements to go from trivial to impossible. It's similar to poker game selection, try to pick projects you can do and move up as you gain experience.

I suggest you start by finding a simple program online. Print it out. Then type it in by hand and try to make it run. You will learn quickly this way, especially from your typos. Let google be your teacher when you get stuck.

Typing the program in is the easy part, making it run is harder. You need a way to see what the program is doing when it runs. Copious debug traces (messages the program writes just for the author's benefit, not for the user) are the simple way to see what the program is doing. Using a debugger to examine the program is a valuable skill.

Having a mentor to read the program and provide feedback is awesome. Attention to detail, writing for the reader, handling errors well are skills that take you from beginner to competent.

Always look to simplify your program, reduce the assumptions it makes, don't cut/paste. These are some hints for bigger projects.

The language and toolset you use hardly make a difference. You have a business need for java, so java it is.

Write a simple program, see it run. Write a slightly less simple program. Repeat.

I like reading the books better after you have some programs under your belt.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-13-2007, 07:40 PM
WhiteWolf WhiteWolf is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 930
Default Re: Learning java with no programming language experience, where to st

Check out the "Core Java" series - these should be excellent for you. Volume I will be more than enough to get you started. Volume II covers some more advanced topics, which you may not need, so you can hold off on getting that.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.