Learning Java : what do I need?

[dysharmonic]

I'd like to begin learning Java language and I'm already doing some minor progress w/ C++. ..

Do I need to have a compiler for Java? And if there's a free one out there?

Thanx.

[sajchurchey]

Get Sun's java compiler (Java 2 SDK 1.4.2) at http://java.sun.com.

There are also tutorials on the site that can help you get started on learning it. You might be better off buying a good book though as the tutes on Sun tend to get fairly complicated and Sun-specific.

[oakleys]

IBM's Eclipse IDE for Java is excellent (and free). Get it here (http://www.eclipse.org)

[sajchurchey]

Does that IDE use IBM's open-source jikes compiler? I've been meaning to try that out, but I've had configuration troubles with setting the CLASSPATH.

[cjohnson]

If you're familiar with another object oriented language, you could probably pick Java up pretty quickly on your own, but if you're not you certainly want to get some book and, preferably, take a class somewhere (e.g., a local community college) so that you can converse with other people learning Java.

[chrism01]

Hey F451, me again, how's it going?

As far as books go, I mostly used Complete Java Cert : Study Guide from Sybex written by Roberts/Heller/Ernest who were involved in writing the Sun Cert Prog and Dev exams.
Passed my Prog exam :)
See also www.javaranch.com: bit like this place for forums, also practice qns...

HTH
PS Good Luck

[dysharmonic]

Thanx ppl.

Hey Chris, how's over there?

I'm thinking of learning Java and already a few weeks into C++ and I'm also reading a book on PHP. I'm thinking of going for CS study in the next few months, if all goes according to plan.

Actually I'm done w/ my degree, but I guess I've lost confidence and interest in that field and I dont think I'll be able to enjoy doing any jobs/work having to do w/ it :(

I've been spending way too much time on my computer that I'm begiining to really like stuff related to it more than I used to have when I had been first introduced to it a couple of years ago that it occured to me why not have a carreer in CS or IT. :)

D/loading Java compiler in a moment...

[tzimsce]

on the IT field before jumping in. It is going through a severe recession, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Programming is one of the hardest hit areas in the IT sector. At this stage in the game, you're better off going to a college for something like Accounting, Finance or Business Management. Just trying to help you out.

[chrism01]

He's got a pt. I'm a contractor in the UK, and been out for 8 mths and i know people worse off than me...
OTOH, if you are determined, or just interested anyway, check out this thread for my comments on compatible java/moz/tomcat.
http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=107296

HTH

[dysharmonic]

I'm rather determined here. Among the reasons for my choosing to go for CS:

1) I'm a bit sick and tired of my computer knowledge and friends/ppl around here somtimes make me feel like I knew nothing of it tho they themselves do not know any more than I do..

2) The field of study I was done w/ doesnt seem to be enjoyable, well not to me anyway, since I'll end up being in a laboratory dealing w/ chemicals and such! Chemicals can kill...:D

3) I've learned quite a few things in the years I was in college, both on my own and w/ the help of ppl in forums just like JL, and it seems that there's always a solution out there no matter what problems you may be facing w/ your computer and this is in itself a healthy progress.

4) This is the other side of the world, so I could say that, the CS/IT recession isnt really showing that much over here, tho yes I'm aware of the effect it has all over the globe. The goverment here has been preaching CS/IT for years and these last few years have witnessed the peak of it...

[Sepero]

To be perfectly honest with you, it took me about 4 months of learning Java before I finally started to figure out what Object Oriented Programming was all about. Perhaps my former procedural programming is what held me back.

Learned BASIC
played with VB
played with assembly
Learned Java
And now learning C++

It's been so long since I programmed in BASIC, I wonder if I could write a "Hello World" program in it any more...

[dysharmonic]

Yea, same over here. I'm a few weeks into C++ and so far it's been great.

[elderdays]

Originally posted by sajchurchey
Does that IDE use IBM's open-source jikes compiler? I've been meaning to try that out, but I've had configuration troubles with setting the CLASSPATH.

I don't think so. I believe it just uses the standard compiler, but I think you can point it to use whatever you want. Eclipse is very cool.

Originally posted by tzimsce
on the IT field before jumping in. It is going through a severe recession, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Do what you enjoy doing. It will be infinitely better in the long run when you aren't run down, depressed, tired, and disgruntled because you decided to follow money instead of just doing what you have fun with. Unless you just love money a lot, then nevermind.

[dysharmonic]

No it's not in the money.

I've just finished univ in some other field, Biotech to be precise, and if I were in for the $$$, then I guess I'd just continue w/ masters degree. I know of someone who did his first degree at the same faculty and made almost 3x what is normally paid to a fresh graduate at a company somewhere near. The news hardly made me feel excited ;)

[schwartz]

thanks!!

[sclebo05]

once you get your java installed and working, give jedit a try. it can be found at jedit.org (http://www.jedit.org) and has many useful features. I am using it right now for CGI/perl work, but it really shines for java.

[Dark Ninja]

Originally posted by sajchurchey
Does that IDE use IBM's open-source jikes compiler? I've been meaning to try that out, but I've had configuration troubles with setting the CLASSPATH.

As someone already stated, Eclipse can be configured to use any Java compiler that you choose. To do this, head to:

Window>Preferences>Java>Installed JREs

Assuming you have installed the JREs correctly, you should have a list of your different options. (For example, I have two different choices.) Select the one you want to go with.

Also, many times, Eclipse allows you to choose these settings on a project by project basis. You can play around with each project's individual settings at your leisure.

[Sepero]

Originally posted by sclebo05
once you get your java installed and working, give jedit a try. it can be found at jedit.org (http://www.jedit.org) and has many useful features. I am using it right now for CGI/perl work, but it really shines for java. I use jed for writing java code(and just about any other text). It's like emacs, but without all the bloat(webbrowser, email client, integrated mind receptor). I don't think jed and jedit are the same thing, so if you're looking for something "pretty" and "graphical", you might not want to try jed just yet.

[mr orion77]

what about jcreatorv3 thats quite good i found.

[dr_te_z]

I am now in the process of learning java (currently COBOL programmer).
There are may aspects:
- the OO stuff (new for me, COBOL is prodedural)
- the syntax (easy for C programmers...)
- the development tools (drag 'n drop instead of coding)
- event-driven (not java specific, but new for me)
- the J2EE stuff (now that's a chanllenge to understand!)

A bit of irony: As mentioned, the J2EE world is not the simplest. But, as a mainframe guy, when you compare the concepts & facilities with those of CICS (mainframe transaction manager (>25 years old)) you'll find a lot of simularities! So that makes it easier for me;)

Last advice: when you're in an educational traject learning about applets, remember the java part and forget the applet piece. It is not used anymore and when it was used, it gave java a bad name. Wait for the JSP & bean chapters. That is what you need!

[emus]

Take a look at this website. I found it to be extremely helpful to learn Java.

http://chortle.ccsu.ctstateu.edu/cs151/cs151java.html

[Calipso]

im currently using NetBeans as a java compiler.
you can pick it up at www.java.com...just follow the DEVELOPERS links and you should be able to find it. they have a vers for linux, os/x, and windows, so what ever system youre using you should be able to use it no prob....i installed it in both linux and windows and had no problems with the installation at all....have fun learning java, im kinda having a hard time my self...i keep getting confused between c++ and java...all those CLASSES are confusing aswell but eventually should get easier.....oh and from what i have noticed so far, some code is exactly the same as in c++, for example IF statements and LOOPS....anyhoo, good luck and have fun.

[mr orion77]

just dont learn python first as it spoils you when you have to learn c++/c or java, i did that and hated c++ at first cos its so finicky compared to python. hello world was a shock lol.