New to Java. Have ActionScript 3, JavaScript, PHP coding experience. What to start with?

I'm reading Thinking in Java right now (almost 50% done).
So far I like Java very much! Something is familiar, bacause I used ActionScript 3, something is really new (like LinkedList, Maps, Sets, inner classes and etc).

But I don't really know how to start building something. For now I'm writing code in IDE and after compiling getting messages in console and that is all.

ActionScript 3 I used for interesting web-interfaces, galleries, flash-sites etc. PHP I used for server-side scripts, working with databases (often with mySQL), page-constructing etc. JavaScript for making web-pages "alive" and interactive.

But where should I start using Java? I like android apps and just usual programs for windows/linux/mac, but I don't know, where Java suits now? I doubt I will use servlets or applets because for server-side I still use PHP and applets I think are too soon for my level in Java (I think first I should try creating some usual apps for windows/android).

If Java is really good for android apps and usual cross-platform apps - maybe some suggestions, books etc for reading them with Thinking in Java (for theory and practice, because I don't have enough practice and ideas for it)?

Welcome to the Ranch.

Java is the language that is used for Android apps - if you want to make Android apps, you're going to be programming in Java.

Jesper de Jong wrote:Welcome to the Ranch.

Java is the language that is used for Android apps - if you want to make Android apps, you're going to be programming in Java.

Thank you for quick answer!

I'm thinking about making android apps. What if I would want to make an android app and windows app? I will have to use Java and another language or Java with JRE installed?

Also, any suggestions, books etc for starting creating android apps?

You mean, for Windows on a desktop PC on Windows Phone, on a phone?

On a desktop PC you can obviously also use Java, but it will be different than on Android. Android has its own architecture for writing apps, and the GUI works quite a bit differently than on a Windows PC. I don't know much on programming for Windows Phone devices, but you'll probably program them in C#, it's probably not possible to run Java on such devices.

If you want to start with Android development, the place to look is http://developer.android.com

There are lots of books available, I don't have any specific recommendations.

Again, thank you very much. I'll try building android apps!