How to Learn Java and Create Java Applications

To learn Java, all you need is time, patience, and some great classes. Luckily, there are many excellent online Java courses and tutorials to guide you through the process. Keep reading to discover the best resources for learning this useful programming language.

What Is Java?

Java was created in 1996 by James Gosling and Sun Microsystems. Its purpose was to run on any Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This popular class-based, object-oriented programming language shares similarities to C++ but is much easier to learn. 

Java is object-oriented, which means it’s based on “objects” containing information and code. It’s great for programming gaming, mobile applications, websites, and more. It’s also a reputable language and easy to read, making it the go-to for those in computer science, computer engineering, and data science.

Java vs JavaScript

The difference between Java and JavaScript is that Java is an object-oriented programming language while JavaScript is an object-oriented scripting language. Essentially, the Java programming language is centered around server-side development, whereas JavaScript is for developing scripts for functions. 

Java also runs on virtual machines rather than a browser, meaning it is better suited to applications than websites.

What Is Java Used For?

Java is used to program apps, vending machines, chatbots, medical devices, wearable technology, automatic garage doors, car navigation systems, and even space exploration technology.

Creating Applications

Java is commonly used for creating applications. Companies such as Twitter, Spotify, Signal, and even NASA all employ Java developers. NASA’s WorldWind project is a virtual globe able to monitor weather patterns, track vehicle movement, and analyze data. This is all available due to Java. 

Web Development

Although it is becoming less relevant in web development, there are still many websites that run on Java. For example, LinkedIn, Amazon, Facebook, eBay, and Google Plus all use Java elements. 

But Java is really great at building web applications like Google Docs. And this language will continue to be used in the future as it’s easy to learn, object-oriented, and free.

Learn Java: Step-by-Step

If you are entirely new to programming, don’t worry. Java is relatively easy to learn. We will walk you through key fundamentals, syntax, and more.

1. Fundamentals

Java runs on many operating systems. Feel free to choose from Microsoft Windows, Linux, Solaris, or macOS.

First, learn Java basics like the behavior of objects. An object is a piece of code that includes functions and properties useful for the project. You’ll also need to learn how to add a class, method, and instances.

2. Source Code and Syntax

Grammar, or syntax, is important for learning any language. Syntax is usually what makes coding seem hard. 

Some things to start off learning are the uses of uppercases, semicolons, indentation, and spacing. Remember, Java is case-sensitive. And matching syntax is important. The use of different markers like brackets and quotation marks have varied use in coding. The same is true of semicolons, which end an instruction.

3. Java Applications and Java Platforms

Java has hundreds of applications. These applications can be helpful in business, research, or creating graphical user interfaces. Decide what you want to develop and discover the array of platform options like Java Enterprise Edition, Java Standard Edition (Java SE), or Oracle.

4. Training

There are many types of training and Java tutorials to choose from. For example, there are online coding bootcamps, courses, and tutorials for an introduction to the language or to provide advanced lessons. Below you will find resources that can help you learn to code for free.

5. Practice

Start developing projects and practicing your programming skills. Whether you want to become a successful web developer, application developer, software engineer, or data scientist, you will need a stand-out portfolio of previous work. The sooner you begin to code, the faster that portfolio will grow.

The Best Java Courses

Here is some guidance on what training you should complete. Many of the Java programming courses are free, while the ones that offer more intense training or certifications cost money.

Khan Academy – Hour Of Code

• Where: Online
• Time: 1 hour
• Cost: FREE
  
  

Although Khan Academy focuses more on JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL, this is still a great free lesson to grasp the basics of coding for complete beginners. You’ll learn to draw images, create websites, and build a custom database.

LinkedIn Learning – Learning Java

• Where: Online
• Time: 2.5 hours
• Cost: First month FREE
  
  

This LinkedIn course is fantastic for beginner programmers or developers who are unfamiliar with Java. It teaches you the fundamentals of strings, data types, functions, loops, and debugging. It is also ideal for students looking for a certification to add to their LinkedIn profiles.

Codecademy – Learn Java

• Where: Online
• Time: 25 hours
• Cost: FREE
  
  

Codecademy is a great free resource for anyone wanting to learn to code. You will learn about object-oriented programming in Java, inheritance, polymorphism, and create seven of your own projects.

Udacity – Programming Basics

• Where: Online
• Time: Self-paced
• Cost: Free course or paid nanodegree
  
  

In this course, you will learn about syntax, variables, and data types. You’ll also create conditional statements, loops, IntelliJ, and IDE. To get certification and mentorship you will need to take the nanodegree path.

Learning Tree International – Introduction to Java Programming Training

• Where: Online
• Time: 4-day training
• Cost: Approximately $2,000
  
  

Learning Tree offers a paid course in Java programming. Students will learn to create console and GUI applications with object-oriented features. You will also learn how to read data and retrieve it from a JDBC database. The price comes with one-on-one instructor coaching. The examination is free.

Learn Java Online – Tutorials

• Where: Online
• Time: Self-paced
• Cost: Free
  
  

These free tutorials and courses are from Java. They are great for beginners and advanced learners. The site provides a built-in tool that can run Java code. The site also has other languages you can learn, like Python, Ruby, HTML, JavaScript, and C++.

Udemy – Advanced Java Programming

• Where: Online
• Time: 8 hours of content
• Cost: Varies
  
  

This Udemy course is for developers to gain more in-depth knowledge of the language. In this advanced course, you will learn about classical data structures, associative data, exception handling, JDBC, Swing, Multithreading, and more.

Framework Training – Advanced Java Programming

• Where: Online
• Time: 3 days
• Cost: FREE
  
  

This course by Framework Training is for those with prior Java experience. In this class you will learn about testing, using immutable collections, JMS, and the new HTTP client. This training requires you to have six months of Java experience.

Is Learning Java Right for You?

If you want to begin learning programming, then Java’s easy syntax, usability, and high performance make it a great starting point. It is an excellent choice for developers and is widely used today in gaming and app development.

By completing Java tutorials and dedicating your time to patiently practicing, you will become an expert coder in no time. Learning Java now will open up many opportunities for your career. 

For more information on bootcamps with a Java twist, check out this Skill Distillery review.