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Greenhorn
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Do you need a computer to learn java from reading head first java? because i read most of the book before and came across a few things i could pick up but iunno just looking for suggestions.
 
Java Cowboy
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If you really want to learn Java, then yes, you will need a computer. The best way to learn programming in Java is to experiment a lot - write small programs, try out different things, see how it works, etc.

You cannot learn Java by only reading a book. That's like learning to drive a car from a book, without actually stepping into a car to learn how to drive it.
 
Bartender
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Many many moons ago I taught myself to program (Z80 Assembler) from a book whilst building my computer (and I really mean building - this was in the days one bought a motherboard, a load of components and a soldering iron!!). I found that when I came to actually write code I didn't know as much as I thought I did, but having already read the book I was able to quickly solve my problems by diving back into the book at the appropriate places.

So to answer your question I don't think you can completely teach yourself how to program without having a computer to practice coding on, however it will give a good background and you should be able to get up and running fairly quickly when you do get access to a computer.

So my advice is to keep on reading. If you don't have access to many books there are some good online references such as Sun's Java tutorialand the excellent book Thinking in Java by Bruce Eckel
 
Jacob Rich
Greenhorn
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thanks, maybe I can try it out.
 
Greenhorn
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It is good for the Thinking in java.
 
Sheriff
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It's something like learning to play guitar. You can read a book and learn some things about chord fingerings, scale patterns, etc. But until you actually try doing these things on a guitar...
 
With a little knowledge, a cast iron skillet is non-stick and lasts a lifetime.
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