Learning Java

[Mike]

I'm in the process of learning Java and I'm debating on whether to take a
class or buy some books on Java and learn that way. I've learned VB, ASP,
JavaScript, SQL, etc. on my own and then creating projects using them
technologies. Is Java something I can learn on my own or would a class be
better or even a self paced at home type of class?


any suggestions

[Volker Held]

Mike wrote:
> I'm in the process of learning Java and I'm debating on whether to take a
> class or buy some books on Java and learn that way. I've learned VB, ASP,
> JavaScript, SQL, etc. on my own and then creating projects using them
> technologies. Is Java something I can learn on my own or would a class be
> better or even a self paced at home type of class?
>
>
> any suggestions
>
>
>

Since you coded in VB already you had a first glimpse at objects - even
if VB is object-based ( generally spoken - it just uses a bunch of
objects ) and Java is truly object-oriented ( thus you work with
inheritance and the like ).

If you have the money and the time - take the class, it´s always better
to have an mentor with some experience ( i know some of you would
disagree ). Anyway you can still teach Java yourself, the basics are
pretty easy to understand, problem comes when you advance to fields like
"Threads"s.

I do recommend you the book "Learning Java" from O´Reilly for
introduction to this great language - even if it would be good if you´ve
had experience with C or C++ ( in a twisted way you had - at least
syntax related when working with JavaScript - but remember Java is NOT
JavaScript - they are different like **** and heaven ).

Java´s cool, Java´s easier than C++ ( talking about the object-related
approach ) and it´s real fun. Just try it out

One last thing - i do recommend that you don´t use an IDE while
"Learning Java" - it´s my experience you get way more out of a language
when you don´t stick to code-completing MS etc. applications.
Use a simple text editor or Emacs or JEdit for example and compile on
you shell.
( i know this might s*** at first, i learned VB before i came to C - VB
had this wonderful(?) MS IDE and C we did in Emacs only - I dare to say
that i gained a much more fundamental understanding of C because of the
fact we were using no IDE )

erm ... sorry... i can´t ever be short and precise, but i just hope this
helps your choice a bit

[Mike]

Thanks, it's good information. I'm actually using JCreator for my java code.
Which is good, it makes code everything unlike JBuilder where most of the
code exist already for ya.

thanks for the info



"Volker Held" <vheld@gwdg.de> wrote in message
news:3CF47259.1090501@gwdg.de...
> Mike wrote:
> > I'm in the process of learning Java and I'm debating on whether to take
a
> > class or buy some books on Java and learn that way. I've learned VB,
ASP,
> > JavaScript, SQL, etc. on my own and then creating projects using them
> > technologies. Is Java something I can learn on my own or would a class
be
> > better or even a self paced at home type of class?
> >
> >
> > any suggestions
> >
> >
> >
>
> Since you coded in VB already you had a first glimpse at objects - even
> if VB is object-based ( generally spoken - it just uses a bunch of
> objects ) and Java is truly object-oriented ( thus you work with
> inheritance and the like ).
>
> If you have the money and the time - take the class, it´s always better
> to have an mentor with some experience ( i know some of you would
> disagree ). Anyway you can still teach Java yourself, the basics are
> pretty easy to understand, problem comes when you advance to fields like
> "Threads"s.
>
> I do recommend you the book "Learning Java" from O´Reilly for
> introduction to this great language - even if it would be good if you´ve
> had experience with C or C++ ( in a twisted way you had - at least
> syntax related when working with JavaScript - but remember Java is NOT
> JavaScript - they are different like **** and heaven ).
>
> Java´s cool, Java´s easier than C++ ( talking about the object-related
> approach ) and it´s real fun. Just try it out
>
> One last thing - i do recommend that you don´t use an IDE while
> "Learning Java" - it´s my experience you get way more out of a language
> when you don´t stick to code-completing MS etc. applications.
> Use a simple text editor or Emacs or JEdit for example and compile on
> you shell.
> ( i know this might s*** at first, i learned VB before i came to C - VB
> had this wonderful(?) MS IDE and C we did in Emacs only - I dare to say
> that i gained a much more fundamental understanding of C because of the
> fact we were using no IDE )
>
> erm ... sorry... i can´t ever be short and precise, but i just hope this
> helps your choice a bit
>

[MarkN]

Mike,
Depends on where the course is. If it is from a college, etc I wouldn't
waste my time. Typically these course are teaching programming and not the
language. So alot of time is 'wasted' explaning basic concepts again and
again and again ... . If the course is from IBM or Sun then maybe. I would
reserve my money for classes on EJBs, MQSeries, etc if even any of these.

Mark

[Mike]

I'm looking into a class offered from EduDirect in Scranton PA. I spoke with
a couple of students that took the course and they said it's covers alot
from applets (which I know) to JDBC and using Java for networking (which I
don't know). I don't have time to sit in a class room so this course allows
me to take it from home and provides Profs. support and hands on labs and
projects, which I can't really find a book to Explain everything while in
the process of building an actual application using JDBC or Networking or
anything of that nature. If anyone know any good books that explains Java
and walks you through building an actual application or applet, please
inform me of it.

thanks




"MarkN" <java.@127.0.0.1> wrote in message news:3cf4e2c5$1@10.1.10.29...
>
> Mike,
> Depends on where the course is. If it is from a college, etc I
wouldn't
> waste my time. Typically these course are teaching programming and not
the
> language. So alot of time is 'wasted' explaning basic concepts again and
> again and again ... . If the course is from IBM or Sun then maybe. I
would
> reserve my money for classes on EJBs, MQSeries, etc if even any of these.
>
> Mark

[Volker Held]

Sounds not too bad at all, but i have to agree with MarkN - the basics
up to JDBC and Networking - you can teach yourself. Enterprise Java
Beans ( EJB´s ), Threads etc. are quite more difficult - so there´s were
to put the money to get most out of your the time and cash you may spent...
On the other hand a java coder you can always ask comes in handy once
you are stuck somewhere - and there is of course the newsgroup. *g*

In the end... it´s your call...

Mike wrote:
> I'm looking into a class offered from EduDirect in Scranton PA. I spoke with
> a couple of students that took the course and they said it's covers alot
> from applets (which I know) to JDBC and using Java for networking (which I
> don't know). I don't have time to sit in a class room so this course allows
> me to take it from home and provides Profs. support and hands on labs and
> projects, which I can't really find a book to Explain everything while in
> the process of building an actual application using JDBC or Networking or
> anything of that nature. If anyone know any good books that explains Java
> and walks you through building an actual application or applet, please
> inform me of it.
>
> thanks
>
>
>
>
> "MarkN" <java.@127.0.0.1> wrote in message news:3cf4e2c5$1@10.1.10.29...
>
>>Mike,
>> Depends on where the course is. If it is from a college, etc I
>>
> wouldn't
>
>>waste my time. Typically these course are teaching programming and not
>>
> the
>
>>language. So alot of time is 'wasted' explaning basic concepts again and
>>again and again ... . If the course is from IBM or Sun then maybe. I
>>
> would
>
>>reserve my money for classes on EJBs, MQSeries, etc if even any of these.
>>
>>Mark
>>
>
>

[MarkN]

Another thing, if you are really considering taking the course - find out
more about the professor. Does he/she use Java 'daily', how long, where,
and what types of projects. One of the guys I work with took a Java 'course'
and the guy teaching the course knew very little about Java (from what I
could gather). It was a waste of his time and left a bad taste in his mouth.
When you say "take it from home", do you mean at your own pace - no class
time? If so, I see no reason to take this course because as Volker said,
you can get help from newsgroups.

Mark

[Mike]

I could either go into the school or learn it with a self paced way. I will
learn the samethings jsut at home at my own pace. And I will have access to
the prof the entire time I'm taking the course. The only difference is I'm
taken it at home instead of a classroom.





"MarkN" <java.@127.0.0.1> wrote in message news:3cf61f9e$1@10.1.10.29...
>
> Another thing, if you are really considering taking the course - find out
> more about the professor. Does he/she use Java 'daily', how long, where,
> and what types of projects. One of the guys I work with took a Java
'course'
> and the guy teaching the course knew very little about Java (from what I
> could gather). It was a waste of his time and left a bad taste in his
mouth.
> When you say "take it from home", do you mean at your own pace - no class
> time? If so, I see no reason to take this course because as Volker said,
> you can get help from newsgroups.
>
> Mark
>

[Volker Held]

I´d suggest you try it the hard way and become a self-made java
programmer!

Ah well, i guess the school thing will earn you a certificate of some
kind.. but from my experience those are close to useless - at least over
here in Germany...
If you have the time and dicipline to do it yourself, save the money and
ask the board if you are stuck. Of course that´s only a suggestion...
it´s your choice.

Okay - enough of that! The answer is out there Mike... go on your
mission, to boldly code where no one has ever coded before!

P.S. Ignore the last two lines.

Volker

Mike wrote:
> I could either go into the school or learn it with a self paced way. I will
> learn the samethings jsut at home at my own pace. And I will have access to
> the prof the entire time I'm taking the course. The only difference is I'm
> taken it at home instead of a classroom.
>
>
>
>
>
> "MarkN" <java.@127.0.0.1> wrote in message news:3cf61f9e$1@10.1.10.29...
>
>>Another thing, if you are really considering taking the course - find out
>>more about the professor. Does he/she use Java 'daily', how long, where,
>>and what types of projects. One of the guys I work with took a Java
>>
> 'course'
>
>>and the guy teaching the course knew very little about Java (from what I
>>could gather). It was a waste of his time and left a bad taste in his
>>
> mouth.
>
>> When you say "take it from home", do you mean at your own pace - no class
>>time? If so, I see no reason to take this course because as Volker said,
>>you can get help from newsgroups.
>>
>>Mark
>>
>>
>
>

[Mike]

I would like to thank you guys on the information you provided to me. Since
I've all the other languages on my own via books and online tuturiols, I
think to get a better understanding of the Java Technology not just the
language I'm going to start with the class. If the prof starts to wonder,
then my Borders Bookstore will be my class of choice.

thanks again



"Volker Held" <vheld@gwdg.de> wrote in message
news:3CF64E6A.60508@gwdg.de...
> I´d suggest you try it the hard way and become a self-made java
> programmer!
>
> Ah well, i guess the school thing will earn you a certificate of some
> kind.. but from my experience those are close to useless - at least over
> here in Germany...
> If you have the time and dicipline to do it yourself, save the money and
> ask the board if you are stuck. Of course that´s only a suggestion...
> it´s your choice.
>
> Okay - enough of that! The answer is out there Mike... go on your
> mission, to boldly code where no one has ever coded before!
>
> P.S. Ignore the last two lines.
>
> Volker
>
> Mike wrote:
> > I could either go into the school or learn it with a self paced way. I
will
> > learn the samethings jsut at home at my own pace. And I will have access
to
> > the prof the entire time I'm taking the course. The only difference is
I'm
> > taken it at home instead of a classroom.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "MarkN" <java.@127.0.0.1> wrote in message news:3cf61f9e$1@10.1.10.29...
> >
> >>Another thing, if you are really considering taking the course - find
out
> >>more about the professor. Does he/she use Java 'daily', how long,
where,
> >>and what types of projects. One of the guys I work with took a Java
> >>
> > 'course'
> >
> >>and the guy teaching the course knew very little about Java (from what I
> >>could gather). It was a waste of his time and left a bad taste in his
> >>
> > mouth.
> >
> >> When you say "take it from home", do you mean at your own pace - no
class
> >>time? If so, I see no reason to take this course because as Volker
said,
> >>you can get help from newsgroups.
> >>
> >>Mark
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>