If you have finally made up your mind to learn Java, you’ve already made the first move. Let’s explore the rest of the steps that will lead you to becoming a Java programmer.
Step 1: Start with core Java
A lot of useful information on Java is available online. All you need to do is look up some basic concepts and then build on them to move to the advanced stages. Here are a few core Java topics you can explore initially:
Syntax
Before you get to the programming part, you need to learn the syntax of the language. This includes how statements are structured and commands are given to the language to perform certain functions. An intermediate level knowledge of Java syntax is enough since you can always Google whatever you’re confused with.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Object-Oriented Programming is a programming paradigm that uses data and objects to design software instead of doing so with functions and logics. Learning OOP is quite easy but if you are previously used to procedural programming, you might need to do a bit of unlearning to start thinking in object style.
Collections and structures
Collections in Java are based on certain data structures such as arrays, lists, maps, trees, and a lot more. The most challenging part here is to understand when to apply which structure. You can start with only the most popular data structures and the rest of them will automatically start falling into place.
Streams
A stream is a pipeline of objects that allows data to flow and different functions to operate on it. Streams are used to perform input and output operations in Java. The most common ones include character streams, byte streams, and standard streams.
Multithreading and Synchronization
Multithreading in Java means running multiple threads simultaneously for maximum utilization of the CPU. Multithreading and thread synchronization can be a little challenging to grasp but you don’t need to get into it right away. It can be a great competitive edge for you since not a lot of beginner programmers are aware of this concept. Apart from core Java, there are some auxiliary things you need to grasp. Let’s move on to them.
Step 2: Learn stuff that can help with Java projects
Project-based learning can be a great idea since this way you will be getting hands-on experience with authentic data and real-life problems. Here are a few tools you can learn before you start your first practice project:
Jenkins
Jenkins is an open-source automation server that helps automate most development tasks such as compiling projects, documentation, testing, operating repositories, etc. Jenkins is written in Java and is one of the most popular tools for integrations and implementing continuous delivery in your software development projects.
Docker and Kubernetes
Docker and Kubernetes are simple application building and deployment tools. Docker enables developers to package apps into containers and then the containers are managed with Kubernetes. These two tools are total game changers and are used very commonly.
Git
Git is a commonly used version control system that tracks changes you make to files. Git is super helpful in backing up code and tracking changes so that you can revert back to older versions if need be. It also allows dev teams to collaborate on projects.
Selenium
Selenium is an open-source software testing framework that provides tools for testing web applications and automates most of the process. It supports all popular web browsers and greatly speeds up web-testing procedures.
RESTful Web Service
RESTful Web Services are based on the REST architecture of building software. Creating software this way makes it lightweight, highly scalable, and maintainable. Implementing secure and scalable RESTful Web Services is another desirable skill with Java.
Angular or Responsive JS
Angular or Responsive JavaScript provides a structural framework for creating dynamic apps and web pages. You can use Angularjs to create websites that adapt to the screen size, orientation, and device type they are accessed on.
Java 16 Development Kit (JDK 16)
Java 16 or JDK 16 is the latest version of Java that was released in March 2021. This version has a lot of technical and procedural updates that are worth checking out. Getting familiar with the latest version brings you up to speed with the current industry trends and allows you to absorb future updates faster. So, what comes after theory? Right, practical exercises.
Step 3: Practice coding every day
Learning the concepts theoretically is important but you can never get fully comfortable with the language until you put the code into action yourself. CodeGym is one of the resources where you can both get a handle on Java syntax to understand how the language is built and take a full Java course to dive into all its nuances. With CodeGym you will not just study, but complete entertaining, game-like tasks picked based on your current knowledge and experience.
Step 4: Read through examples of codes written by experienced programmers
Learning from experts around you can be very helpful. But if you don’t have a lot of developers to hang out with, you can always use the internet. You could follow someone who shares programming tips on social media or simply start reading a Java programming blog on CodeGym. There are also open-source repositories such as GitHub and Bitbucket. They have tonnes of code which you could study and reverse-engineer to understand how things work. Subscribing to coding communities such as Stack Overflow can be another option if you want to post your queries and engage with fellow programmers stuck in similar situations as you.
Step 5: Use Google whenever you’re stuck
Google is always your number one friend when writing code. There could be a million scenarios you could get stuck with while coding and Google almost always has the solution. The key here is not to rely on the web to provide you with exact solutions you can copy-paste and move on. Instead, try to understand why your piece of code does not work and why the one a website provided does. Again, reverse engineer these solutions and try to improvise along those lines. You should still remember to try finding answers yourself by thinking outside the box. That way you might end up creating something new and very helpful of your own.
Conclusion
Getting familiar with the features of Java is one thing and getting pro at writing code is another. Both these skills are equally necessary to become a good Java programmer. Don’t forget to try everything you learn and never hesitate to look for help online. We wish you an amazing learning experience!
