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General java job questions

 
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Hello, I have some general questions about working as a Java developer or programmer:

1. Lets say on any average project that you might get at work (lets say a program for a client) how much of the coding would you do personally? I understand that at a majority of companies the work is divided up. But how is it divided up?? Lets say would I have to create an entire class or just some functions for a class???

2. How much of the time do java programmers modify existing code?? I heard that java developers recycle old code and structures to save time. Is that always done???

3. I know C++ and Visual basic and I just began learning java about 7 months ago and I'm already learning data structures in java such as linked lists and stuff, but I have a major weakness when it comes to programming. I can't program raw, that is without looking up code from previous programs or checking a java book to see how to use a function. Is that good or bad?? As a java programmer can you look things up occassionally or program with your java book on your lap?? I always forget how to use functions and even forget basic syntax.

thank you very much, all the help is much appreciated
 
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1. Lets say on any average project that you might get at work (lets say a program for a client) how much of the coding would you do personally? I understand that at a majority of companies the work is divided up. But how is it divided up?? Lets say would I have to create an entire class or just some functions for a class???


It depends on. When coding, you can write several hundreds or even several thousands lines a day. When designing, you don't code at all.

In case that you need to fix a buggy class,you may modify some functions of a class. In case that you are involved in a new project, you need to creat new classes.

For an experienced developer, he may be able to handle a whole package or even a complicated application. For a junior programmer, he is more likely to be responsible for component-level or class-level coding.


2. How much of the time do java programmers modify existing code?? I heard that java developers recycle old code and structures to save time. Is that always done???


Nobody can give you a figure. One major benefit of java is that you can access a lot of open source codes for free. As such, you may save time and focus on
the functionalities associated with your project.

3. I know C++ and Visual basic and I just began learning java about 7 months ago and I'm already learning data structures in java such as linked lists and stuff, but I have a major weakness when it comes to programming. I can't program raw, that is without looking up code from previous programs or checking a java book to see how to use a function. Is that good or bad?? As a java programmer can you look things up occassionally or program with your java book on your lap?? I always forget how to use functions and even forget basic syntax.



I have been working on java for several years. Sometimes, I still have to look up the details online. If you have a good java IDE, such as JBuilder, WebLogic Studio, you may get instant help by entering a hot key (F1).

Regards,

Dan
[ August 20, 2004: Message edited by: danny liu ]
 
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Originally posted by Michael Huber:

3. I know C++ and Visual basic and I just began learning java about 7 months ago and I'm already learning data structures in java such as linked lists and stuff, but I have a major weakness when it comes to programming. I can't program raw, that is without looking up code from previous programs or checking a java book to see how to use a function. Is that good or bad?? As a java programmer can you look things up occassionally or program with your java book on your lap?? I always forget how to use functions and even forget basic syntax.

thank you very much, all the help is much appreciated[/QB]

 
Sania Marsh
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Originally posted by Michael Huber:

3. I know C++ and Visual basic and I just began learning java about 7 months ago and I'm already learning data structures in java such as linked lists and stuff, but I have a major weakness when it comes to programming. I can't program raw, that is without looking up code from previous programs or checking a java book to see how to use a function. Is that good or bad?? As a java programmer can you look things up occassionally or program with your java book on your lap?? I always forget how to use functions and even forget basic syntax.
QUOTE]


7 months learning java...it is not too early to do data structures, it's actually bit late if you knew C already.
I always need something to refer to, most of the time it is my own code, but if I don't have it, I use Google. It's faster than book, and you can copy and paste .
Noone can remember syntax. Most important is that you understand and remember OO principles, collections, threads, serialization and all that stuff - no syntax, but you have to know the names of the classes and interfaces and how it all works. You can always look up the syntax.

 
Michael Huber
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thanks guys, I've got 2 more quick ones

1. With such data structures as a Link list or queue or sorting routines such as Merge Sort, how do people implement them in companies??? I mean do they recreate these classes or just recycle the same structure as always.

2. I'm using J2SE to compile my programs, I heard other people use JBuilder or other adavnced GUI programs. Do real companies use these GUI style programs ??? I tried using JBuilder one time and I was lost, it was so difficult to find or do anything so now I stick to just typing code in NotePad and complying them with J2SE. Is this bad??? I mean if a company expects you to know how to use JBuilder and I don't would they give me some time to learn or is OK to ask co workers how the program works???

thanks again guys for all your help
 
Sania Marsh
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I don't know if anyone nowadays is building structures on their own, there are bunch of ready collection classes, so mostly developers use those.
If you have some classes that you can re-use from previous projects, of course you should do that, what's the point of re-inventing same thing?
That is why inheritance is there in the first place.
Notepad is not bad,
when you work on some big project, time is important, JBuilder would help you to save lot of time and make code more readable.
On the other hand, while studying you better stick with notepad, I think.

JBuilder is not hard to use. Find someone who can explain you some basics and help you set it up, in 1-2 hours you will be able to use it. I don't see any problem letting person learn to use new environment, it should take not more than 1-2 weeks to get comfortable with it.

So far, was never asked what I use to write a code on job interviews.
They are more interested in how well I know java and how fast I can learn new things.
 
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Originally posted by Michael Huber:
1. Lets say on any average project that you might get at work (lets say a program for a client) how much of the coding would you do personally? I understand that at a majority of companies the work is divided up. But how is it divided up?? Lets say would I have to create an entire class or just some functions for a class???



It depends. If you ar on a tam of 1, you'll probably be doing somewhere around 100%. if you're on a tam of twenty, it could be anywhere from 0-20% depending on your tole in the project in relation to other team members.

Typically people specialize in some area, functional or logical, e.g. database, GUI, network, integration, data I/O, server, account management...


Originally posted by Michael Huber:
2. How much of the time do java programmers modify existing code?? I heard that java developers recycle old code and structures to save time. Is that always done???



Again, it depends. If you're on a new project, it will start out with 0% modifying existing code. If your job is to release version 6.1 of the software, it will be nearly 100% modifications to existing code.

I'm not quite sure what you man by recycling code and structures. Code is sometimes reused (rightly and wrongly). Certain modules are designed for reuse at times. As for structures, I'm not usre what you man. Certainly data structures like stacks are commonly used in multiple places in a software program. If you mean high level structures, again they are used throughout the codebase, but usually for consistency.

--Mark
 
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