Help, I'm a Java Beginner !
My main Java Certification Training site assumes that you know Java, and that you are
preparing for the Java Certification Exam. I've had many EMAIL's asking for
information on how and where to get started learning Java as a beginner.
You need to learn Java via one or more of the following: Instructor lead course (ILT), Books, Tutorials, and most
importantly working with the Java language.
- Use my free resource at: Free Java Training &
Resources (Home Page) - My site has some step by step instructions
to get you started and the Java Certification section has code examples and
training material.
- Take a tutorial by Sun - http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html
(free). Do the "Trails Covering the Basics". Each section takes ~
2-3 hrs.
- Instructor Lead Courses (ILT)
- Check your Community college (~$200).
Here are some Q&A's and topics:
- Object Oriented Programming (OOP) Vs Procedural Programming
Java is a 100% OOP type language. If you've been programming in a procedural
language, hopefully you'll pickup OOP concepts. If not, you'll need to search for
these resources or you'll be lost. Somewhere along your career path you
may want to consider studying OOP.
- Is Java harder that C++ ?
I think Java is easier to learn that C++. Java is a new language that looks
like C++ but has removed some of the more difficult aspects of C++.
- Can I learn Java as my first language?
YES! You may want to purchase a book that also gives instruction on
Object Oriented Programming (OOP).
- Should I study C++ first, then Java?
No. Go straight to Java.
- Should I study VB first, then Java?
I would suggest starting out with Java. VB is a good language to learn for first
time programmers. VB has a mix of procedural and object oriented programming.
VB is still an excellent choice especially if your site uses it.
- Should I use an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) ?
You'll be using an IDE in the real work world. However, using
a text editor will definitely get you closer to the code ( I learned
with a straight editor). So I guess I would suggest using an text editor and compiling via a
command prompt first, then moving to an IDE.
- Once I know Java, how should I prepare for the Certification exam from
Sun?
This site is designed to help you prepare for the Sun Certified Java
Programmer (SCJP) exam once you know Java - http://www.michael-thomas.com/tech/java
. Check out my link on "training" and "java
hot sites". You will need: 1) a good book on
certification, 2) make sure you code the exercises (get you hands
dirty in Java), 3) do not rush into the exam until you can pass the
exams in the back of the book, HTML exams, and other simulated exams with a
90%. You can find information on these 3 items at the "java
hot sites" link.
- Now that I'm certified, what other technologies are commonly used with
Java at the work place?
answer: HTML, JavaScript, and SQL. If you work with JSP
(Java Server Pages) or server side Java (Java Servlets) in which you will be
using Java to create web pages that are served to the browsers that have HTML
& JavaScript. If you work on the client side (browser)
then you will be creating HTML & JavaScript
and maybe creating and interfacing to Java Applets. Very seldom will
you use only Java to create Java applications. SQL
is the scripting language used to access data from databases. You will
probably be connecting to DB2, MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL or MS Access databases.
- Now that I'm certified, do you have any suggestions on looking for a
Job?
This is a hard question because everyone has different needs. I have
some links at: www.michael-thomas.com/tech/itcareers
that may help. Experience always looks good, however I've seen
certification be a definite deciding factor.
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