Learning Java

[Cienja]

The Programming forum seems very quiet, so thought it best to post here.

I am not a programmer/developer, but a certification will look good on a resume, and will help me in conversations and meetings with development peopled. I'm bored with my current position and am looking to move within the company - I don't want to leave my current employer and learning Java should open a few doors and should improve my salary.

I want to learn Java and I have found tons of resources. My question is this: Is there anything I should know/learn before starting the Java certification path? I have some PHP knowledge, HTML & CSS, some UNIX & Linux, SQL, Perl, XML, and PHP, MySQL, and Apache (all enough to get by, but my job doesn't require it of my in my current role, thus I don't know any of anything to be proficient. Just looking at Java code reminds me of how CSS is formatted. Java is in used in millions of devices and will continue to be, so I think it's a good choice. What do you think?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[John Connor]

When I install java I see the banner that loads that says, used in x amount of devices." So I guess it would help. Why not Javascript?

 

[purbeast0]

you should post this in the programming forum, you will probably get better/more responses, and i'm guessing this will be moved.

that said, if you aren't a programmer, a cert won't mean jack shit. java certs mean nothing in the industry. and if you aren't going to be developing/programming, having one would be a waste of time and basically mean nothing imo. what matters in the industry is your experience and what you can do/have done in the professional world. certs don't matter at all like they do in the IT world.

as far as what to learn, you should learn programming fundamentals first. sounds like you may have some if you know php. the html/css is irrelevant to java, as is unix/linux and the database stuff. well the db stuff could be good eventually, but if you are just getting started and don't have a solid programming background, then i wouldn't worry about it. but at least the db stuff and php stuff means you understand logic.

<-- been a software engineer/dev 10+ years now with a comp sci degree.

 

[brianmanahan]

java certs mean nothing in the industry. and if you aren't going to be developing/programming, having one would be a waste of time and basically mean nothing imo.

pretty much this. every programming job i've ever had has been for java in some capacity (going on 10 years now), and even though i don't have any SCJ* certs, no employers have ever cared enough to not hire me.

well, my first employer wanted me to get one within a year or two because they were in consulting and wanted to show that to clients, but i left before they made me do it.

i did buy the book "SCJP 6 Study Guide" though - even though i wasn't going to take the test, that book was a very good reference and learning tool. pretty much anything in core java was explained in great detail.

 

[purbeast0]

When I install java I see the banner that loads that says, used in x amount of devices." So I guess it would help. Why not Javascript?

java and javascript couldn't be further apart with how they work and what they are used for. it's actually unfortunate that they are named similarly because they are oh so different.

 

[brianmanahan]

java and javascript couldn't be further apart with how they work and what they are used for. it's actually unfortunate that they are named similarly because they are oh so different.

if they would have picked a better standard name than EcmaScript, maybe people would use that instead.

i am looking forward to ES6, arrow syntax and string templates will be sweet.

 

[Ken g6]

I have some PHP knowledge, HTML & CSS, some UNIX & Linux, SQL, Perl, XML, and PHP, MySQL, and Apache (all enough to get by, but my job doesn't require it of my in my current role, thus I don't know any of anything to be proficient.

So you've used PHP and Perl before. But have you made and used Objects in either language?

The two essential things to know about Java are that it's fully object-oriented, and that it has a large standard API. If you can use the PHP reference site, you can probably figure out the JavaDocs too.

 

[cytg111]

Sure, cant hurt and may just be the tip that gets your food in the door. Once inside however and a couple of years of experience those certs will mean jack. But we all gotta start somewhere, only you know the true parameters for your current situation.
When I started in the field I put up a crude webpage with some of my hacks, as demos, for interviewers to evaluate and put the link in my job-application. Worked great.

 

[Merad]

Programming certifications are almost totally pointless, unless you know for a fact that your employer is in love with that sort of thing. Just learn to program Java and have some projects on github or wherever to show what you can do.

 

[purbeast0]

the only guy i ever worked with that had a cert, had his cs degree from university of phoenix and worked for accenture prior to working with him. and he was terrible.

just sayin!

overall though, having a cert in programming just means very little. it is kinda like having a cs degree doesn't mean anything if you can't code. it's all about knowing how to code and dev in the end.

 

[Cienja]

I'm looking for something to do - Java is in everything, and there are tons of resources for learning. I didn't know certification in in Java (or anything it sounds like) is not near as important as experience, which is how it is and should be around any available job.

Thanks to all of you for your input.

 

[Cienja]

that said, if you aren't a programmer, a cert won't mean jack shit. java certs mean nothing in the industry. and if you aren't going to be developing/programming, having one would be a waste of time and basically mean nothing imo. what matters in the industry is your experience and what you can do/have done in the professional world. certs don't matter at all like they do in the IT world.

as far as what to learn, you should learn programming fundamentals first. sounds like you may have some if you know php. the html/css is irrelevant to java, as is unix/linux and the database stuff. well the db stuff could be good eventually, but if you are just getting started and don't have a solid programming background, then i wouldn't worry about it. but at least the db stuff and php stuff means you understand logic.

<-- been a software engineer/dev 10+ years now with a comp sci degree.

I want to develop/program and Java is by far the most handy, least expensive, readily available language I have. Everything is a download away, so it's not like I live by the Java store on Main or something.

Will tell me about the fundamentals please? This is what I was looking for yesterday; what should I know before jumping into Java? I have WordPress site that I play with regularly and have 15 years experience with PHP, MySQL, JS - I wanted to build a site using bootstrap before I got all jazzed about Java. What Fundamentals do you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[beginner99]

What Fundamentals do you suggest?

Thanks!

- Object oriented programming basics
- Java basics

For Java bascis: Do you know what the JVM is? Garbage Collection? And so forth.

Then read up on helpful tools which IMHO are almost required for enjoying Java.

First is the IDE. You have to choose either Netbeans, eclipse or Intellij (free version is limited but I don't know how much). My choice is Netbeans. Eclipse honestly sucks but maybe you prefer it.

Second one is build tool. You get to choose between Ant (optionally with Ivy), Maven or Gradle. Can't advise you which to use. I use Maven but the learning curve is pretty steep. gradle is the new hype but I have never used it. (Note: the integrate fine with netbeans)

Last is source control, obviously can be used with any language. i suggest mercurial over git.

 

[cytg111]

Eclipse honestly sucks but maybe you prefer it.

- It really does !! I am forced to work with it in the industry.. /%¤&/.
Heard of http://www.ihateeclipse.com/ ?

My vote is for intellij.

 

[John Connor]

java and javascript couldn't be further apart with how they work and what they are used for. it's actually unfortunate that they are named similarly because they are oh so different.

Yes, I know they are diffrent, but since the OP knows HTML it would seem prudent to know JS.