Getting Started with Java

[Vogel515]

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[evident]

download the Java development kit (JDK) from the sun website. get an IDE such as netbeans or eclipse. if you find those to be too overwhelming and want a more simple ide, try jgrasp. those are all free

although you can find all the info you need to start coding on the web, i recommend getting a book because it's more structured and wont cause you to lose focus.
try head first java (kathy sierra) or java software solutions (john lewis).

javaranch.com is a good support group for all things java

 

[Ken g6]

For object-oriented languages like Java, there are two things you need to learn. First, there's the language (the syntax and such), which should be easier since you've done C and C++. Hint: all classes in Java are "virtual" from a C++ standpoint. If you don't remember what that means, just forget it and dive into one of those tutorial books.

The second part of Java you'll need to learn is the API. The API refers to all the pre-made classes and methods (Java method == C++ function) that Java gives you. It's alot like the C++ Standard Template Library, except that almost everything in Java is descended from these classes, so you really need to learn about them. Java has so many classes that you probably shouldn't try to "learn" them; rather learn how to use the javadoc documentation for them, and you'll probably start to remember anything you look up frequently. Remember, that page is a reference, not a tutorial. Keep it in your back pocket, look up classes and methods with it as you follow along in one of those books, and you'll do fine.

 

[EvilManagedCare]

Originally posted by: evident

javaranch.com is a good support group for all things java

Hey, you stole my suggestion

Also, don't forget the Sun Java Tutorials.

 

[Vogel515]

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[IHateMyJob2004]

Ahhh, NO BOOKS!

1) download and install the latest JDK.
2) install Eclipse
3) Use the getting started guides at sun's web site (might be part of the install actually .... the web page contents that is)

Actually, you can create a Java project in Eclipse that creates a main method automatically. it should compile. Then jsut add on to that hello world application.

 

[LumbergTech]

I recommend JGrasp for practice like if you want to test what you remember and how well you know the language

I recommend Eclipse if you are trying to learn about all the different Classes and their methods

If you are already a programmer you might not need the books of a true starter. I would look into something that maybe talks about how java differs from C or C++ so that you can learn what pitfalls to avoid

 

[sthaznpride17]

At my school, the intro classes use jGrasp because of the nice debugger, which helps a lot when working with linked lists/binary trees. I reccomend using that and then moving up to eclipse/netbeans when you feel comfortable.

 

[fallenangel99]

Do people recommend netbeans or eclipse?
i 've been using netbeans for couple of weeks and its ok so far (new programmer). howeve,r most people i've talked to recommend eclipse

 

[EvilManagedCare]

Originally posted by: fallenangel99
Do people recommend netbeans or eclipse?
i 've been using netbeans for couple of weeks and its ok so far (new programmer). howeve,r most people i've talked to recommend eclipse

My impression on previous discussions is it's often a matter of taste. For myself, I prefer netbeans because it has a nice Swing GUI builder, whereas Eclipse has one for SWT.