Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?

  • From: David Tseng <davidct1209@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:25:27 -0700

Right, that's sort of the issue with java.  The minimal working
example requires you to understand classes/static methods.  However,
if you don't find a textbook clear enough or to your learning style,
there's really no substitute for a live class where you can ask
questions of someone who's taught other programming novices.

On 7/30/11, Brandon Keith (Biggs) <brandonboy13@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hello,
> I'll check out that guide. I've read the starting chapters from 3 or 4 Java
> text books and they are way too confusing. Here is the place where I've been
> able to understand the most from:
> http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/concepts/interface.html
> The tutorials there are really easy for me to understand.
> They just left out a few things
> Their first task is at:
> http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/concepts/QandE/questions.html
>
> In all the other text books I read they utterly failed at describing what
> Objects (With States and behavior were), classes, subclasses, methods and
> fields. This had the briefest most to the point explanation I could find...
>
> I've had no programming experience, but I have built and scripted on Muds
> and some of the concepts are the same.
> I'll change that brace and ditch the interfaces!
> Thanks,
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs
>
> Check out
> MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brandonkeithbiggs
> Also add me on facebook!
> brandonkeith
> http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=675097942
> And for my resume go to:
> http://www.sfcasting.com/brandonkeith
>
>
> From: Mike
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 5:53 PM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
> Dear Brandon,
>
> Whether or not you realize it, you are way ahead of yourself in Java for
> being a novice.  I took a Java course last semester, and interfaces were not
> introduced.  Interfaces will be introduced and used in the second course.
> Below, I will attempt to answer your questions as well as provide an
> additional resource for learning Java so you are not getting ahead of
> yourself.
>
> The HelloWorldApp had everything in it. It didn't need a interface, why do
> we need to make a separate interface for all our other classes?
> You do not need to make an interface for each class.  This is where you
> skimmed too far ahead in the tutorial.
> Why do we have to create an interface when the class already has the same
> code in it?
> Interfaces are for designing larger, complex applications.  Please do not
> worry about them at this stage.
> Do you save all classes as a .java file then use javac to compile it into a
> .class file?
> Yes, all classes can be in a single .java file, or you can have a .java file
> for each class.
> What do you save interfaces as?
> Interfaces would also reside in .java files.
>
> Personally, I find a good textbook better for learning the programming
> thought process than an online tutorial.  Tutorials are great for explaining
> language features, but leave out a lot of information for the programming
> thought process.  A Java textbook I really like is called Introduction to
> Programming Using Java and located at http://math.hws.edu/javanotes/.  This
> textbook is free and it does not matter whether or not you have had
> programming experience.  Bruce Eckel’s Thinking in Java assumes previous
> experience with the C language.
>
> Finally, to address the whole group, I agree with those who said working in
> an environment such as an IDE is probably easier for a novice than the
> command line.  This will probably always be an on-going debate, because
> there are pros and cons to both.  However, all I am going to add is that
> regardless of the environment, you do not need to know everything about that
> environment to get started writing basic programs.  Now, I personally like
> Sodbeans because it is great for catching compiler errors in the text editor
> and announcing them before you go through the trouble of trying to build the
> application.  This is an excellent benefit!  Now, Sodbeans is based on
> Netbeans which is a huge environment, but don’t worry about learning
> Netbeans.  Focus on learning the basics that will get you started writing
> simple applications.  I would be happy to help you get started.  In fact, a
> good mentor is often the best a novice programmer can have, which is maybe
> why mentors are hard to find.  If you would like to contact me, I use Skype.
>  That would be the easiest.  My Skype username is foxwarrior09.
>
> Sincerely,
> Mike
>
> From: Brandon Keith (Biggs)
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 6:46 PM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
> Hello,
> I finally had time to go past the HelloWorldApp in the tutorial. :D
> Now I'm trying to create my own classes then run them through my
> interface...
> But I'm a little confused:
>
> The HelloWorldApp had everything in it. It didn't need a interface, why do
> we need to make a separate interface for all our other classes?
>
> Why do we have to create an interface when the class already has the same
> code in it?
>
> Do you save all classes as a .java file then use javac to compile it into a
> .class file?
>
> What do you save interfaces as?
>
> I created a class for my heater:
>
> /** creates the class for heater which has temperature, speed and onOff
> */
> class Heater }
>
> int temperature = 0
> int speed = 0
> int turned = on
>
> voide changeTemprature(int newValue) {
> temperature = newValue;
> }
>
> voide speedUp(int increment) {
> Speed = speed + increment;
> }
>
> voide slowDown(int decrement) {
> Speed = speed - decrement;
> }
>
> voide turnOn() {
> Turned = on;
> }
>
> voide turnOff() {
> Turned = off;
> }
>
> voide printStates() }
> System.out.println("temprature:"+temprature+" speed:"+speed+"
> turned:"+turned);
> }
> }
>
> Where do I put the lines like:
> public static void main(String[] args)
> and
> System.out.println
> ?
> Also do I have the right idea with the word after void is the word I type to
> turnOn the heater?
> And the word after (int is the word that could be what ever I want it to be,
> it just needs to be the same below?)
> Example:
>
> voide slowDown(int pizza) {
> Speed = speed - pizza;
> }
> ?
>
> If you have any question, the interface for the heater is:
>
> interface Heater }
>
> voide changeTemprature(int newValue);
>
> voide speedUp(int increment);
>
> voide slowDown(int decrement);
>
> voide turnOn();
>
> voide turnOff();
> }
>
> Sorry, I didn't see answers to these questions in the tutorials and I need
> to know this to do anything!
> Thank you,
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs
>
> Check out
> MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brandonkeithbiggs
> Also add me on facebook!
> brandonkeith
> http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=675097942
> And for my resume go to:
> http://www.sfcasting.com/brandonkeith
>
> From: Sina Bahram
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 6:50 AM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
> That’s not learning a language Ken, that’s learning an SDK, which implies
> one already knows how to use the language.
>
>
>
> I think you should start off with text as well, so that six months later you
> aren’t asking basic questions like why doesn’t this class run, because you
> never had to put a mian method in it since Eclipse always did that for you,
> etc. etc.
>
>
>
> Of course, that implies that you actually want to learn the fundamentals of
> the language, and not just code.
>
>
>
> Take care,
>
> Sina
>
>
>
> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ken Perry
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 7:17 AM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
> I have to disagree with this.  There is nothing like using eclipse when
> you’re learning a language.  Let’s say you are in Android and need to make
> an Application.  Ok so you start it up and there is an Activity class.
> You’re in your text editor what do you do?
>
>
>
> You go out on line or into a document and try to read up on all the possible
> functions you can run in an activity.   Not bad but why not make it quicker.
>
>
>
> Just arrow to your myactivity and use the source menu and go down and select
> override members.  Then you can arrow through the list of things you have
> that you can do in that class.  You check a few and tab down and hit ok.
> Now you have 6 stub functions that work perfect.  You then go down to the
> keydown function that you just added  and arrow over keyEvent and select
> help it tells you all the functions
>
>
>
> Eclipse and Visual studio are  not just environments but they are  great
> learning tools.  Not to mention learning the environment now with an easy
> program will  speed up both development of a harder program but it also
> teaches you how to download other peoples projects and get them running.
>
>
>
> Heck for that matter if you don’t use eclipse you have to learn another way
> to compile your project.  Which normally means you start compiling at the
> command line with javac.  That sounds easy but how many of you have tried
> this and ran into the java path problems.  That is not something you want to
> get a new user into right away.  Then if you want to get real bold and use
> ant as a new programmer you better have a lot of antacid.
>
>
>
> So I guess in short I just wanted to say sure Eclipse is a big pig but the
> gains for a new coder is pretty high if you learn to use it.  Now if you’re
> on a Mac sorry to hear it while I like Mac I have not been impressed with
> the amount of work I had to go through to get Eclipse set up.  I use it on
> both Mac and Windows but I will tell you there is nothing like Eclipse and
> Jaws 12.  I use no scripts and do just fine.
>
>
>
> Ken
>
>
>
> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Homme, James
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 6:49 AM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
> Hi Brandon,
>
> This is my opinion, so take with a grain of salt. Right at the beginning
> with Java, I feel that you should use a text editor. Personally, I prefer
> EdSharp, but there  are lots of good ones. Learn to use the command line
> tools that come with the Java Development Kit. After you have written some
> programs, and you know what's going on with basic Java, start to use
> something like Eclipse or Net Beans. I have no experience with SodBeans, but
> I understand that that package for NetBeans is making a big difference in
> NetBeans accessibility. So scrap fancy editors for now.
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brandon Keith
> (Biggs)
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 12:17 AM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
> Thanks and I started reading those, the only problem is I use Eclipse and
> these talk about the Netbeans IDE which I think it is inaccessible.
>
> My big question is: What are all the differences in the different things you
> can create with the new menu in Eclipse? There are like projects, classes,
> Java projects and all kinds of other things that aren't really talked about
> with Java.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs
>
>
>
> Check out
> MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brandonkeithbiggs
> Also add me on facebook!
> brandonkeith
> http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=675097942
> And for my resume go to:
> http://www.sfcasting.com/brandonkeith
>
>
>
> From: Homme, James
>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 9:36 AM
>
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Subject: RE: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I think that, as with many things, this is one of those things that can be
> different, depending on the learning style and knowledge of the person.
>
>
>
> Speaking just for myself, I get more out of tutorial style books, when I'm
> learning a language. I tend to freeze up at reference type material that is
> full of code and short on words, but that's my taste.
>
>
>
> According to me, you will probably do well with the nutshell books, if you
> already know lots of programming concepts and want to see how certain things
> are done in Java. On the other hand, you may do better if you have little
> programming experience by looking at the Java Tutorial, which takes things a
> concept at a time and explains them with lots of words and examples. You can
> see that at http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/reallybigindex.html.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of qubit
> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 12:30 PM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
> I would recommend if you have a subscription to bookshare.org, that you
> download a copy of "Java in a Nutshell".  It is a nice summary of features
> with some examples.  I was going to read "Thinking in Java, 4th edition",
> which I forked $25 for online, but got a package that I cann't display on my
> system.  I have been unable to read more than the preface, and most the
> time, the html just freezes things.  So I'm pitching it.  A shame as it
> sounds like a useful guide to using java the way it is meant to be used.
>
>
>
> Online there are also common tasks implemented in java, which you can find
> in http://commons.apache.org/
>
> Good luck and happy hacking.
>
> --le
>
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>
>   From: Florian Beijers
>
>   To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>   Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 6:44 AM
>
>   Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
>
>
>   Hello Brandon,
>
>
>
>   Do you have any form of IM or perhaps skype? I would like to help you but
> it's easier for me to recommend something if i know a bit more about your
> background.
>
>
>
>   Florian
>
>   On Jul 6, 2011, at 8:04 AM, Brandon Keith (Biggs) wrote:
>
>
>
>   Hello,
>
>   I'm new to programming, (I have just made it past "Hello World") and am
> looking for some guides.
>
>   I would like to learn Java, but I'm not quite sure where to start. I
> downloaded the 500 or so documents from the "Java Documentation" at:
>
>   http://www.nonvisualdevelopment.org/node/20
>
>   as well as reading all the tutorials on Eclipse and Java.
>
>   I've installed the SDK 1.6 and Eclipse, is there anything else I need? I
> see there are Jaws scripts for Eclipse, where do I insert those?
>
>   I arrowed through the 500 documents dealing with Java and found:
>
>   Java Tutorial 3rd Edition, a short course on the basics
>
>   but I see it was written in 2001 and only deals with Java 1.3 and Windows
> 2000 and before. Is this something I should read? What books best describe
> the language in an exciting and useful format? I'm wanting to eventually
> program for Android, but I think that is stepping a little ahead of myself.
>
>   Where do I start?
>
>   Thanks,
>
>
>
>   Brandon Keith Biggs
>
>
>
>   Check out
>   MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brandonkeithbiggs
>   Also add me on facebook!
>   brandonkeith
>   http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=675097942
>   And for my resume go to:
>   http://www.sfcasting.com/brandonkeith
>
>
>
>
>
>
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