Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?

  • From: Edgar Lozano <1419goku@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 18:10:29 -0500

Hello all.
I am also starting to learn JAVA as well. Mike, the textbook that you
recommended, I'm currently reading it to see if it will help me learn
JAVA with less complications. I have looked online for similar JAVA
tutorials, but some of them failed to teach a total beginner how to do
several things. Anyway, I want something clarified. Are subroutines in
JAVA the same thing as methods in any other programming language? And
are routines like functions in other programming languages as well?
I'm just trying to get my terminology straight.

On 7/31/11, Mike <foxwarrior09@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Dear Brandon,
>
> I did some research for Java resources on the web, and most of the online
> tutorials cover it in a very shallow manner like I stated.  Out of what I
> researched until 5:00 A.M. this morning, that textbook at
> http://math.hws.edu/javanotes/ is more adequate for explaining introductory
> Java than any tutorial.  To elaborate further on Thinking in Java by Bruce
> Eckel, I did not find any explanations of getting console input or input
> from the keyboard in the first seven chapters.  The book at
> math.hws.edu/javanotes explains getting input for development of interactive
> programs early on in chapter two, where you begin coding.  Chapter One
> simply explains what your computer is doing underneath the hood, so you
> could skip to Chapter Two if you want to begin coding early on.
>
> Regarding your comment on textbooks being difficult to understand, let me
> tell you that programming itself is not easy.  It may take rereading for you
> to fully understand concepts.  It is important not to breeze through
> chapters of a textbook as a beginner.  Step through them slowly, and try
> exercises at the end of each chapter to gain a good understanding of
> programming.  That is what has been helping me through college.  If you have
> any questions, please post here.
>
> Sincerely,
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 9:44 PM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
> One does not have to fully understand classes and static methods.  Brandon,
> try starting with the Language Basics section of the tutorial at
> http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/index.html.  I
> hope this helps!
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Tseng
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 9:25 PM
> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Best Java Guides for a Newby?
>
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> This e-mail and any attachments to it are confidential and are intended
>> solely for use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If
>> you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender
>> immediately
>> and then delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not
>> keep, use, disclose, copy or distribute this e-mail without the author's
>> prior permission. The views expressed in this e-mail message do not
>> necessarily represent the views of Highmark Inc., its subsidiaries, or
>> affiliates.
>>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
> __________
> View the list's information and change your settings at
> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>
>
__________
View the list's information and change your settings at
//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind

Other related posts:

  1. Home
  2. programmingblind
  3. Archive
  4. 08-2011