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Seeking for advice for Java self-studying

 
Greenhorn
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Hi Java Ranchers,

I'm doing a self-study of basic Java, presently i have learned the very front 10 chapters, they are:
1. Introductions 2. Elementary Programming
3. Selections 4. Loops
5. Methods 6. Arrays
7. Mutidimensional Arrays 8.Objects and Classes
9. Strings 10.Thinking in Objects


Here is my trouble, I can understand what I learned but it's hard to combine or mix all the learned points together to get things solved. There are too many pinpoints to remember(concepts, methods, skills, algorithms etc. ), I just always forget the points I need even they are just in the very front chapter or section I've read.

For example, when I am creating a class, it's also a process of struggling with the concepts like "static", "encapsulation", keyword "this", and some methods in a particular class like StringBuilder etc,. It's also hard to remember all the methods in all the classes I've met. I finished the above chapters all by myself without anyone's teaching, I just found it's hard to move one step further.

Should I stop learning and go over for a review or do as much coding as possible or just have a summary of concepts and methods?
I'm really really eager to have some effective solutions to change this situation and gain more confident. Seeking for any good advice or experience, THANKS A LOT!!!

Wish you all the best!!!
Xiaolong
 
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Xiaolong Bao wrote:Should I stop learning and go over for a review or do as much coding as possible or just have a summary of concepts and methods?


Well, don't stop learning; but I suspect that it may be time to take a "pause and rewind" - several times if necessary. Go back over the lessons you've done and maybe try to incorporate them all (or some) in a single program. Or try and think of other things you could do with a loop and an array.

What you're going through is what pretty much every newbie does (me included; although it was so long ago that my Alzheimer's has kicked in); so don't beat yourself up about it. Just repeat, repeat, repeat, and eventually familiarity alone will "embed" it for you.

HIH

Winston
 
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Everyone has differrent styles of learning, so something that works for some people may not work for you

I am a big fan of learning by doing. Unless, I don;t do something myself, it doesn't stick. Usually, when I'm learning a new tool or technique, I will try to come up with an exercise that uses the new knowledge before advancing to the next topic. Over time, it all starts gelling together. New concepts. OTH, are a bit harder. It requires thinking about the concept for a while before it starts taking root in my head.
 
Greenhorn
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i am following this tutorial.

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/index.html

i think i have the same problem. just can't get the really idea behind the java‘s syntax.
 
lowercase baba
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Maybe that isn't the right teaching style for you. Everyone learns in different ways - some are visual learners, some are kinetic, etc. There are probably plenty of books available, and maybe one of those would be more suited to your learning style.

Try going to your local bookstore and peruse a few...what can it hurt?
 
Xiaolong Bao
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Winston Gutkowski wrote:What you're going through is what pretty much every newbie does (me included; although it was so long ago that my Alzheimer's has kicked in); so don't beat yourself up about it. Just repeat, repeat, repeat, and eventually familiarity alone will "embed" it for you.



Well, so glad and excited to get a hand from a veteran. I just got a bit confused during the studying and I have no reason to lost the confident.

Also, I'm sorry about your Alzheimer's and do wish you get out of it ASAP.

Really appreciating your inspiring reply! Thanks!
 
Xiaolong Bao
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Lee Zh wrote:i am following this tutorial.
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/index.html
i think i have the same problem. just can't get the really idea behind the java‘s syntax.



Thanks for the link! I would carefully read it!
By the way, where are you staying in China?
 
Xiaolong Bao
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Jayesh A Lalwani wrote:Everyone has differrent styles of learning, so something that works for some people may not work for you

I am a big fan of learning by doing. Unless, I don;t do something myself, it doesn't stick. Usually, when I'm learning a new tool or technique, I will try to come up with an exercise that uses the new knowledge before advancing to the next topic. Over time, it all starts gelling together. New concepts. OTH, are a bit harder. It requires thinking about the concept for a while before it starts taking root in my head.



Thanks for your advice and it's really necessary to learn all those points by coding.
 
Ranch Hand
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Hello!

If you want to learn java quickly then my advise would be :
1. Cover book on Java Core.
2. Do your own programs on Java Core and don't think after 1 year that you know Java core. If you think so it means you need go deeper into Java core.
Code a lot on Java core and you will quicker get a job as entry-level developer.
 
Greenhorn
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Hi Xialo ,

I have the same kind of problem and to overcome this I take written notes of keypoints and syntax I learn from each chapter

If you are using a hard printed book, underline the points you want to remember as you go through.
whenever you get time just read the few lines you underlined !
 
Xiaolong Bao
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fred rosenberger wrote:Maybe that isn't the right teaching style for you. Everyone learns in different ways - some are visual learners, some are kinetic, etc. There are probably plenty of books available, and maybe one of those would be more suited to your learning style.
Try going to your local bookstore and peruse a few...what can it hurt?



Thanks for your tip, and I considered no matter what style I am, it time to go back over the lessons I've done.

I'm learning from the textbook named Introduction to Java Programming which is written by Daniel Liang. This seemed to be a very popular one in universities and I feel it suited me pretty much.
 
Xiaolong Bao
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Volodymyr Levytskyi wrote:Hello!
If you want to learn java quickly then my advise would be :
1. Cover book on Java Core.
2. Do your own programs on Java Core and don't think after 1 year that you know Java core. If you think so it means you need go deeper into Java core.
Code a lot on Java core and you will quicker get a job as entry-level developer.



Thanks for it! I'm just on my starting-out period of Java
 
Xiaolong Bao
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Raja gopal Mani wrote:Hi Xialo ,
I have the same kind of problem and to overcome this I take written notes of keypoints and syntax I learn from each chapter
If you are using a hard printed book, underline the points you want to remember as you go through.
whenever you get time just read the few lines you underlined !



Thank you Raja, and i guess you are from India, is that so?
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