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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