Hello. If you are just starting, then this is the right landing page for you, because "bambino" has assembled for your all the nuts and bolts required for you to start Java programming peacefully.
So, what do you need?
1. The Java environment
Configuring the Java environment involves three steps:
i) Downloading the JDK (Java Development Kit) for your system
JDK 7 download
ii) Installing and setting the environment variables
JDK Installation for Microsoft Windows
JDK Installation on Linux Platforms
iii) Verifying the installation
Now open up your command prompt or terminal, type in javac and hit enter. You should see something like:
2. Text Editor
The default text editor in your system, be it Notepad, or "vi" or any other is enough. But if you want some more flexible editor that gives you lot more options along with syntax highlighting, go for Notepad ++ (free, open source) or EditPlus (licensed). If you want a more powerful text editor that too developed using Java, go for jEdit.
Here's how a sample program on EditPlus looks like:
I never recommend an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) like NetBeans or Eclipse for beginners because this is the time when you learn the fundamentals of code writing like always putting a closing brace if you opened one, writing the names of methods properly without spelling mistake etc., and the IDEs do all the stuff automatically. So once you master the fundamentals, you can switch over to an IDE of your choice and save time and effort. But to master the fundamentals, you have to start with a text editor.
3. The course material
Now, this is something that depends upon you. If you are just beginning, there's an Oracle trail here:
Learning the Java Language
I will suggest always that the most important and fundamental topics are enlisted in OCJP syllabus. The best buy will be SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Exam 310-065 Guide by Katherine Sierra and Bert Bates. This book does not goes to root fundamental which you can brush up using other free online or text sources, but once you have little concepts flowing, this book will be the guiding star. There are lots of other books, but this is the first and last book for me so far, as normally I hate reading books, but I read it (I agree its personal though but please go for a review of it online). Purchasing this book does not means that you have to give the exam, but once you are over with it, you can claim to be a Self-certified Gold Java Programmer . No kidding with Java.
4. The API documentation
The API (Application Programmer Interface) documentation is the Swiss army knife for any Java programmer. The doc has all the classes, interfaces, methods from Java SE (some call it Core Java!) described and is very convenient to access.
The classes and method names are very readable and you can many times guess the functionality and search for the method. For example, if you are looking to get the length of a string, then the String class in java.lang package has a method named length() to serve your need. Its as easy as that. For the time being and most of the requirements, this API doc is enough. When you are looking for much advanced implementations, there are lots of APIs developed by third-parties like Apache or IBM, and you can google your needs.
Get the online documentation here or if you want to download for anytime access, find it here.
That's all what I suppose to be enough to kick-start your campaign. Any doubts or queries, do post and I'll be glad to assist if possible.
So, what do you need?✓ Love for the programming lingo ♥♥♥
✓ The Java environment
✓ A text editor
✓ The course material
✓ The API documentation
1. The Java environment
Configuring the Java environment involves three steps:
i) Downloading the JDK (Java Development Kit) for your system
JDK 7 download
ii) Installing and setting the environment variables
JDK Installation for Microsoft Windows
JDK Installation on Linux Platforms
iii) Verifying the installation
Now open up your command prompt or terminal, type in javac and hit enter. You should see something like:
 |
| javac - verifying java installation |
2. Text Editor
The default text editor in your system, be it Notepad, or "vi" or any other is enough. But if you want some more flexible editor that gives you lot more options along with syntax highlighting, go for Notepad ++ (free, open source) or EditPlus (licensed). If you want a more powerful text editor that too developed using Java, go for jEdit.
Here's how a sample program on EditPlus looks like:
 |
| A sample program on Edit Plus |
I never recommend an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) like NetBeans or Eclipse for beginners because this is the time when you learn the fundamentals of code writing like always putting a closing brace if you opened one, writing the names of methods properly without spelling mistake etc., and the IDEs do all the stuff automatically. So once you master the fundamentals, you can switch over to an IDE of your choice and save time and effort. But to master the fundamentals, you have to start with a text editor.
3. The course material
Now, this is something that depends upon you. If you are just beginning, there's an Oracle trail here:
Learning the Java Language
I will suggest always that the most important and fundamental topics are enlisted in OCJP syllabus. The best buy will be SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Exam 310-065 Guide by Katherine Sierra and Bert Bates. This book does not goes to root fundamental which you can brush up using other free online or text sources, but once you have little concepts flowing, this book will be the guiding star. There are lots of other books, but this is the first and last book for me so far, as normally I hate reading books, but I read it (I agree its personal though but please go for a review of it online). Purchasing this book does not means that you have to give the exam, but once you are over with it, you can claim to be a Self-certified Gold Java Programmer . No kidding with Java.
4. The API documentation
The API (Application Programmer Interface) documentation is the Swiss army knife for any Java programmer. The doc has all the classes, interfaces, methods from Java SE (some call it Core Java!) described and is very convenient to access.
The classes and method names are very readable and you can many times guess the functionality and search for the method. For example, if you are looking to get the length of a string, then the String class in java.lang package has a method named length() to serve your need. Its as easy as that. For the time being and most of the requirements, this API doc is enough. When you are looking for much advanced implementations, there are lots of APIs developed by third-parties like Apache or IBM, and you can google your needs.
Get the online documentation here or if you want to download for anytime access, find it here.
That's all what I suppose to be enough to kick-start your campaign. Any doubts or queries, do post and I'll be glad to assist if possible.
I am glad for all the information.
ReplyDelete-John
very good rajdeep.!!
ReplyDeleteBasu