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Noob can't get his head around the basics of java

 
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hi guys,

I've now been trying to learn java for a good few weeks following online video tutorials. But I can't even grasp the basics.

I think I need to be taught like a little child in order to understand.

What can i do? Are there any tutorials which are so basic, that a little child can understand?

I'm even in two minds if this is a language for me to learn.
 
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gary barlow smith wrote:hi guys,

I've now been trying to learn java for a good few weeks following online video tutorials. But I can't even grasp the basics.

I think I need to be taught like a little child in order to understand.

What can i do? Are there any tutorials which are so basic, that a little child can understand?

I'm even in two minds if this is a language for me to learn.



I have also tons of video but i don't watch them, i feel it wont work for me.

what works for me is , i like to read book and then write lots of code and test them.
 
gary barlow smith
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Hi meeta,

Thank you for your reply,

I need very easy stuff...a guidance that even kids can follow.

BTW, what stage of java are you on? If your a beginner, maybe we can hookup on skype, hangouts or whatever messenger and work as a team to learn?
 
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gary barlow smith wrote:I've now been trying to learn java for a good few weeks following online video tutorials. But I can't even grasp the basics.


Two weeks? Try 10 years...

What can i do? Are there any tutorials which are so basic, that a little child can understand?


I doubt it - unless that child is very clever. Programming is inherently complex, so don't expect to just "pick it up".
My advice: Start here.

I'm even in two minds if this is a language for me to learn.


There may be simpler ones to kick off with - a scripting language like bash, for example - but eventually you're going to run into the same basic problem: programming is not simple. You don't have to be a genius, but you do need discipline and a basic grasp of logic. The rest is just hard work and practise.

Winston
 
gary barlow smith
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Winston Gutkowski wrote:

gary barlow smith wrote:I've now been trying to learn java for a good few weeks following online video tutorials. But I can't even grasp the basics.


Two weeks? Try 10 years...

What can i do? Are there any tutorials which are so basic, that a little child can understand?


I doubt it - unless that child is very clever. Programming is inherently complex, so don't expect to just "pick it up".
My advice: Start here.

I'm even in two minds if this is a language for me to learn.


There may be simpler ones to kick off with - a scripting language like bash, for example - but eventually you're going to run into the same basic problem: programming is not simple. You don't have to be a genius, but you do need discipline and a basic grasp of logic. The rest is just hard work and practise.

Winston



I've tried the oracle tutorials mate, but to be honest, I don't find them easy in explaining the language clearly.
I was thinking of trying a more easier language to start off with, such as Visual Basic and once i've grasped that, to move onto java as i heard most languages have very similar principles...what do you think?
 
Winston Gutkowski
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gary barlow smith wrote:I've tried the oracle tutorials mate, but to be honest, I don't find them easy in explaining the language clearly.
I was thinking of trying a more easier language to start off with, such as Visual Basic and once i've grasped that, to move onto java as i heard most languages have very similar principles...what do you think?


Well, I'm probably the worst person to ask, because I hate VB with a passion.

That said, I started out with the original BASIC (back in 1972), and found it pretty easy to pick up. It's also possible that there are VB tutorials out there that are easier than Java's.

Good luck, anyway.

Winston
 
gary barlow smith
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So confused mate... Don't know what to do
 
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If you've never programmed anything before, and you have a hard time to understand Java, then you could try starting with something simpler, such as Python. Note that Python is not just a simple play language, you can (and many people do) write big and complex programs with it. But it might be easier if you've never programmed anything at all before.
 
Winston Gutkowski
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gary barlow smith wrote:So confused mate... Don't know what to do


Have you tried Meeta's suggestion?

Head First Java is often cited here as a good book for beginners, but TBH, if you have problems understanding something like:

private int i = 0;

I'm not really sure where to guide you, except to say that maybe programming just isn't for you.

Winston
 
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How about this.

Answer what a computer program does.
It solves things for you. Things can be simple and complex.

Your task could be as simple as to have your screen display "Hello user, Have a good day". You could write a simple program for that.

Now suppose your task is this.

Your have five ice trays. Each ice tray can hold 20 ice cubes. You need to find out how many ice cubes you have in total. You could write a program for that.
Sometime later you might want to know how many ice cubes you would have if the number of ice trays was 7. If you can solve that in your mind, you can also program it.

If you think these are simple things I'm telling you - remember, you said this. -->

that a little child can understand?



I'm sure you know why we'd solve those linear equations, quadratic equations and stuff. Why was it so important for us to understand what values x could take. Simple programming is no different.
The key is to take it slow. Don't cram many things into your brain at a time. When the author says, "objects have a state and behavior", reflect on it. Give it the time it needs to sink in. It needs that time. You aren't the only one who tried it and couldn't understand it the first time. You don't have to try it at others' pace. That sort of works with me.

Head First Java is one book that might just work with every beginner. You'd want to laugh/smile every once in a while.

Personally I feel books are a great source for beginners to start learning from. One of the good things with books is you can underline stuff that you'd want to read again. They also don't give you those bags under the eyes.

HIH

Chan.
 
gary barlow smith
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First of all, let me thank you guys for helping me.

I really appreciate it.

I think I might have found a solution...I'm looking for a really detailed/good Java REFERENCE/CHEAT sheet. The reason for this is part of myself tends to give up as soon as

I get stuck and can't remember a certain code or word in java and partly due to the tedious task of switch, searching constantly to find out what word I was looking for.

By having a cheat sheet or several sheets at hand, I can continue trying to write a program without having to constantly seatch and would save me a lot of searching.
 
Winston Gutkowski
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gary barlow smith wrote:I get stuck and can't remember a certain code or word in java and partly due to the tedious task of switch, searching constantly to find out what word I was looking for.


Well, once you get familiar with things, the absolute best "cheat-sheet" you can have is the API documentation. I always have it open when I'm programming; and I've been writing Java code for 12 years now.

My advice though: If you really want to become a good programmer, don't find excuses for not doing it.
Either you like it or you don't. If you do, you'll find a way - and the only way to get good is by practice - if you don't, it's probably not for you.

Think positive.

Winston

PS: Read my "10 years" link. It's an excellent article, and covers quite a bit of what we've discussed.
 
gary barlow smith
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Winston Gutkowski wrote:

gary barlow smith wrote:I get stuck and can't remember a certain code or word in java and partly due to the tedious task of switch, searching constantly to find out what word I was looking for.


Well, once you get familiar with things, the absolute best "cheat-sheet" you can have is the API documentation. I always have it open when I'm programming; and I've been writing Java code for 12 years now.

My advice though: If you really want to become a good programmer, don't find excuses for not doing it.
Either you like it or you don't. If you do, you'll find a way - and the only way to get good is by practice - if you don't, it's probably not for you.

Think positive.

Winston

PS: Read my "10 years" link. It's an excellent article, and covers quite a bit of what we've discussed.



Thanks very much for the API documentation Winston. I really like that, but I also want a printable version. This will allow me to try to memorise some of the common java words/syntax. Can you recommend one?
 
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gary barlow smith, please BeForthrightWhenCrossPostingToOtherSites
http://www.java-forums.org/new-java/80016-noob-cant-get-his-head-around-basics-java.html
 
gary barlow smith
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Darryl Burke wrote:gary barlow smith, please BeForthrightWhenCrossPostingToOtherSites
http://www.java-forums.org/new-java/80016-noob-cant-get-his-head-around-basics-java.html



I do apologise, but I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with cross postings as I wanted an answer
from different people on different forums and then use that to decide what best route to take.

As you will see, I have got different answers, so surely it's not a bad idea, is it? It allows me to hear
opinions from all programmers and help me choose the best route and I really do appreciate all the advice
given

Once again my apologies if I didn't tell this in advance.
 
Winston Gutkowski
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gary barlow smith wrote:I do apologise, but I wasn't aware there was anything wrong with cross postings as I wanted an answer
from different people on different forums and then use that to decide what best route to take.

As you will see, I have got different answers, so surely it's not a bad idea, is it?


We're not saying "don't do it"; we're saying "be forthright about it".

That way, we get to see what others have replied, in case we're just repeating something you've already heard.

Winston
 
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Winston Gutkowski wrote:

gary barlow smith wrote:So confused mate... Don't know what to do


Have you tried Meeta's suggestion?

Head First Java is often cited here as a good book for beginners, but TBH, if you have problems understanding something like:

private int i = 0;

I'm not really sure where to guide you, except to say that maybe programming just isn't for you.

Winston



I would say head first java is quite complicated for beginners escpecially for someone who says he needs to be taught like a child is taught.
I recommend http://www.amazon.co.uk/Java-Easy-Steps-Mike-McGrath/dp/1840784431/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373649535&sr=1-1&keywords=java+in+easy+steps It goes through the language at a slow pace so you can properly understand. Also the book is relatively cheap so if you don't find it to be useful you haven't gone and wasted $35.

You can also try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-zzrqQoSE&list=PL484D73FA74A11AC9 However once you get onto file writing and reading his methods are a bit unconventional so I would stop there. However he is great for understanding the basics thoroughly
 
Winston Gutkowski
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gary barlow smith wrote:I really like that, but I also want a printable version.


Ummm...No you don't. At least, I wouldn't.

The whole point of it is that it's there for you in it's dynamic (clickable) form any time you want.

If you want, you can download the entire thing onto your local machine so you have it even when you don't have an Internet connection, but printing it? Nah.

Winston
 
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For the API, I agree with Winston that you don't want a printed reference. For the syntax, I can see how it would be useful though. Googling java reference card shows a good number of hits. You'll have to look through them to find one you like. (Or make your own as recommended - that's probably going to make you learn more.)

Some of them are terse and not easy to read if you aren't a programmer though. Like the first hit
 
gary barlow smith
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@ Winston - I agree, but I wasn't aware of the policy of being forthright mate. In future, I know that i should mention it.

@ Adamz - Funny enough, I actually like Head First Java and found it a bit more easier to understand due to the way it tries to describe everything with pictures

@ Winston and Jeanne - Sorry, I actually meant a printout for the basic syntax and not API which I don't even know what it is...this allows me to have a quick look
and try to memorise the most common words. It also means that I can take away the reference cards and read them on a train journey where i don't have computer access.

@ Everyone - I think so far the easiest and most detailed cheatsheet i've found is (Unless you can find an easier one):- http://refcardz.dzone.com/refcardz/core-java
 
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