Where to start ?

Hi, I'm starting off with Java today. Been programming in Assembler, Cobol, Cool:Gen etc. before (yes you may laugh) ! Where and how is the best place you would say I need to start off. Books etc ? I need to certify myself in 4 and a half months. Is it possible ?
Cheers

Hi,

I am currently learning java (been programming in cobol for years!). I did a course where we used a book that was useless, but there are plenty of free ebooks on the web. However for the certification, the best book was by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates, i studied completely from this book and got a very good score on SCJP.

Also am currently using Sams teach yourself Java in 21 days and finding it useful. As well as Java in a nutshell - which is very good for reference

Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the reply. How long did all of this take you ? Do you have the book's name you used please? I'm using Beginning Java 2 by Ivor Horton and also Complete Java 2 Certification by Philip Heller and Simon Roberts.
Cheers

Hi Andre,

I would think for someone with previous programming experience it would certainly be posible to get Java certified in the time you have if you work at it. I always think two books are better than one as that will give you some perspective and different explanations of a concept when you get stuck, but mainly I learn't from the Java in 21 days book which was OK but I wouldn't say exceptional. There's also a lot of material on the web of course, maybe a good starting point is Sun's own tutorial?

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html

The certification books around are good for exam preparation but I find they also serve as a useful cross-reference when working through other tutorials/books etc too. Good luck

Hi,

In addition to Sierra & Bates' certification book, try "Head First Java" before the cert book. Gives you the background in a fun, interesting, and palatable, yet rigorous, way. Good luck and how refreshing to hear from someone who will take months to get your cert rather than the "I got my cert in 2 weeks with no prior experience and a 99%". I, like you, will take some time so that everything will "soak in" and I can actually program in Java while I'm preparing.

hi,
i used the book by patrick naughtan .
i had no knowledge of any programming language,come from chemistry background.
used this book for knowledge,and then for scjp,and then for interview,

Here is a list of free on-line Java tutorials and books that I have found useful:

Sun's Java Tutorial

Introduction to Computer Science using Java by Bradley Kjell

Introduction to Programming Using Java by David J. Eck

Dick Baldwin's Java Programming Tutorials

Interactive Programming In Java by Lynn Andrea Stein

Bruce Eckel's Thinking In Java

JavaRanch's own Campfire Stories

Allen B. Downey's How To Think Like A Computer Scientist