Thinking about Learning to Code? Why Java might be a standout choice for you

Are you about learning to program but not sure where to start? One of the most common questions I hear from my students is, “What programming language to learn first?”. Actually, there is no decisive answer since the software industry changes rapidly, and so the languages evolve. With an abundance of different languages to choose from, it can be a rather daunting task to find the best one that suits your needs or requirements. So, I’ve done my best to narrow down your choice and suggest the safest option. It’s Java.

Why Java?

Although programming languages look different on the surface, they have a lot in common as they share similar patterns and structures. By learning only one basic language, you’ll be automatically introduced to key coding concepts, which, in its turn, will help you learn other languages with ease.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re considering a serious career in coding or going to learn a programming language just in case; I suggest sticking to Java at first. This is one of the most popular and powerful mainstream languages that generate the highest demand in the software industry, with tons of job openings listing it as an essential skill. But besides the fact that you won’t spend ages to get your first job, many other perks make Java a great option to start with.

What Makes Java so Popular

• It’s a de facto standard programming language with billions of devices running in Java. And to support all those devices and apps, more than 12 million Java programmers are involved worldwide. Not surprisingly, thanks to this extensive pool of skilled professionals, many organizations choose the Java language for new projects.

• According to the constantly updating TIOBE Programming Community Index, Java is the third most popular programming language in the world.

• Java is a perfect good precursor to learning other programming languages like C, C#, and C++. It’s an object-oriented programming (OOP) language that will require you to learn how to think through processes in both the specific and the abstract. After mastering Java, you’ll master a certain level of logic (so needed in other, more complex languages).

• This solid core language is also widely used in web and non-web environments, any OS, and all types of devices. You can find Java everywhere.

• It’s a mature language with more than 25 years of existence. What does it mean for newbies? If you’re new to programming, nearly any problem you may face on your learning path has already been run into by someone else. Moreover, any question you may want to ask is already asked, answered, and posted online in different communities. In other words, there are a plethora of resources that can help you out if you happen to get stuck on some task.

• Java is secure. Java security includes a large set of APIs, tools, and implementations of security algorithms and mechanisms and protocols.

• Java is a strongly-typed language that is very readable. Hence, help from the compiler and easy manageability are guaranteed.

Knowledge of Java Opens Up Plenty of Job Opportunities

As a cherry on the top, one of the most important things in favor of Java is undoubtedly the vast perspectives it provides. Knowing Java opens doors to many career opportunities — from small businesses to big enterprise-grade companies, Java is used everywhere, which means you can easily get your first job and work with either small or big and expensive projects. So, even fresh Java specialists have many chances to land a job once they’ve mastered the Java basics. Also, the job as a Java developer is quite rewarding, with salaries going higher than $100,000.00.

Among the most demanded skills of Java programmers, I can highlight:

• Spring (includes knowledge of Spring and Spring Boot),
• Git,
• Docker,
• Jenkins,
• SQL databases.

Finally, Java is pervasive. It powers Android apps, server apps, financial apps, serious Big Data tech, Reactive programming, IoT, and much more. So, you’ll definitely find something to your passion. Convinced? Then it’s time to discover where you can learn Java!

Java is Perfect for Solo Learning Online

The good news is that Java is relatively easy to learn, and you can do that in the comfort of your own home. However, with so many online courses to choose from, you may get easily overwhelmed with your options. That’s why I have done some research to take all the guesswork from you and compiled the list with the most useful resources out there:

1. CodeGym is an online Java platform ideal for newbies with no programming background. This interactive course consists of more than 1200 hands-on tasks that make the learning process fun, exciting, and informative. By joining the course, you’ll be able to write code almost immediately and, as your skills grow, you’ll create your own versions of popular video games and apps. Much practice and fun are guaranteed.

2. Codewars is another engaging online platform that will let you sharpen your skills by training or competing with your peers on a real-world code challenge, kata. Note that Codewars isn’t meant for complete beginners and doesn’t consist of standard lessons. Yet, it helps acquire additional knowledge and create your own projects.

3. Cyber-Dojo. It’s another gamified website that can help you improve your coding skills when you already have some essential knowledge and understand the basics of Java. As a nice touch, Cyber-Dojo lets you try coding sparring and group competitions.

4. CodeChef is a unique platform that launches contests and challenges three times a month. Here, you can hone your skills, win the trophies and earn a good reputation among your fellow peers and, who knows, probably, your future employees.

5. Java Programming for Complete Beginners. As the name suggests, it’s another course for beginners. Created by Udemy, it’s very intuitive, user-friendly, and simple. A great place to start your Java journey.

6. Java Certification by Duke University. If you’d like to acquire a certificate to show potential employers after completing online courses, look no further than this offering by Coursera. Made in collaboration with Duke University specialists, the program boasts an academic approach. It is suitable for learners with no programming experience.

Diversity of Java Communities

The last but not least advantage of Java is the wide variety of communities. Regardless of the course you choose, I strongly recommend you to enter the community since it can help you go all the learning way, from A to Z. The community plays an important role since it can support newcomers, help solve tricky problems when you’re stuck, and simply share the latest information with you. Also, experienced developers are always ready to give you support and a little jump-start when you need it the most. I suggest considering such communities as GitHub, StackOverflow, HackerNews, SitePoint, as well Reddit channels:

• r/programming
• r/learnprogramming
• r/codetogether
• r/programmingtools
• r/gamedev
• r/prograrticles
• r/webdev
• r/dailyprogrammer
• r/java
• r/javahelp

Huge Collection of Open Source Libraries

Libraries are handy tools for developers in creating their solutions. A significant number of open-source Java libraries are available to coders worldwide. The most popular of them include:

• Java standard libraries
• JHipster
• Apache Commons
• Guava
• Google Gson
• Hibernate-ORM
• Mockito
• JUnit

Snags on the Learning Path

Agree that all of the above sounds too good to be true. Be ready that some difficulties are waiting for you on your learning path. Among the most common challenges students might face, I can emphasize:

• No consistency. Quite often, beginners are caught off guard by numerous Java topics when they try to reach everything at once. That’s why I suggest building a comprehensive plan that will include “step-by-step” topics, additional tools, and resources.

• Jumping from one recourse to another. Speaking about resources, I couldn’t skip one more big mistake. Don’t try to enter different courses and use different approaches simultaneously. Otherwise, you may get totally confused and frustrated.

• Lack of motivation is another thing that may drag you back. Don’t overload yourself with too much information at the beginning. If you get stuck at some point, don’t panic; just ask for help and support in Java communities.

• Too much information. Of course, there are a lot of Java concepts and topics you’ll need to learn, and, I dare say, they are never ending. There will never be enough Java if you’d like to become an advanced programmer, so you should always be ready to learn something new and keep up with the latest technologies and Java updates.

• Long breaks. Also, you should avoid taking long breaks and should try to practice daily. Ideally, you should devote 20% of your learning time to theory and 80% to practice. Code daily to hone your skills and never lose faith in yourself.

Summing Up

In the end, I’d like to say that learning to code is very rewarding. Even the issues you may experience on your way will be easier to overcome with a friendly community and interactive courses. And the only programming language that can boast such strong support is Java.

I hope I’ve managed to dispel all of your doubts, and now you can finally set your learning goal and go for it! So, what are you waiting for?

First was posted at GitConnected.