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[javatier]

I am trying to learn Java but for someone who has a very short attention span it is becoming rather frustrating. Can you guys help tell me way's that helped you grasp the language. I would like to really understand this language So I can

1) create programs

2) Give back to this community.

These are my two main goals for learning Java.

[major]

I would normally say start with a simple program, but I dont know what you are finding fraustrating. What are you having troubles with, is it classes methods. Reading tutorials are good, only if you can understand it. The best way in my opinion is to start developing small programs and gradually adding more functions to it. So I will get you started, for 25 marks, please write a program that displays the string "I can do it" to the console.

[ftr]

major is on the right track, so may I also reccomend this book, if you're serious about learning java:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...343509-7895642

We use this on in my uni, its a great help.

(if you aren't in the uk, the book is called "Head First Java", so search your local bookstores or wherever for it)

Also, for another 30 marks, write a program that adds two integers a and b (hard coded into the program, don't worry about getting input from users yet) and outputs both a and b, then the results of:

a + b
a - b
a * b
a / b

not too hard, a nice easy way into learning about integer variables =)

[javatier]

The program For Major would be

class PrintMessage
{
 public static void main(String[] myArgs)
 {
   System.out.println("I can do it.");
  }
}

This part I understand. I guess my real problem is that I try and cram too many chapters in one seating. I guess a better way to have asked my question, would have been how does everyone study for java. Do you read as much as you can or say maybe a chapter and stop and let it sink in.(The part that just became to frustrating was during my chapter of polymorphism and the whole inheritance.)

The code for ftr would be

class MathProblems
{
  public static void main(String[] myArgs)
  {
    int a = 5;
    int b = 10;
    
    System.out.println(" a + b = " + (a+b));
    System.out.println(" a - b = " + (a - b));
    System.out.println(" a * b = " + (a * b));
    System.out.println(" a / b = " + (a / b));
  }
}

Ftr I have that book. I really like it but I got really lost at the part where they were creating the battleship(Sink a dotcom game). So I restarted again. I am going to just try and read a chapter a day. Maybe two depending on how the last chapter was.

[ftr]

Looks like a solid 55 marks!

Well my university course is using java for its Object Orientated Programming classes, so I take it through at the pace the lecturers put me through. The best way would be to sit down in front of your pc, do all the code examples and questions in a chapter, fiddle with them, comment them yourself so you have an understanding, and do as much as you can take in in one sitting and then keep practicing that same stuff for a few days at the very least.

[javatier]

Thats What I was thinking. I would do maybe one chapter per night then for the next two days or so go over what I just learned and expierment with it. I appreciate all your input.

One last question. What are marks?

[ftr]

Major gave 25 marks for his question and I gave 30 for mine, so you got 55 :P

Just points, really. Kinda mimicking a test paper lol

[javatier]

I see. Makes more sense now. I was looking all over my User cp for that.

[graviton]

a very basic step by step java book is "java ist auch eine insel", which is also available as free online book. the hook: it's in german and i don't think that there is an english version available. but it's really good, since it has many of examples for all the basic stuff.
"thinking in java" is another one, but in my oppinion, it's more advanced.

[javatier]

Last Time I checked I believe I bought about three java books. The first one was Java core 2. volume I fundamentals. The Second book I have is Learning Java. The Third book I have is Head First Java. Right now I am reading Learning Java.

[graviton]

do you already have experience in object-oriented programming? i think that's the crux of java programming, and of course knowing a lot of apis and classes and what they're for.

[javatier]

I have no expierence at all in programing. I am Actually a Network Engineer at a Casino. I am trying to learn on my own. I would like to get into programming and mainly Database