java tips?

[BrandonBREAKDOWN -TR]

i just started a course in java programming
does anyone have any advice, or helpful hints?

edit: and maybe some cool projects to attempt?

 

[nuke0063]

hit up http://www.w3schools.com/ excellent lessons/exercises

 

[Insurge]

^Wow! That site seems great :O

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Well, for a project, you could try running a RuneScape private server. Boy, those are FUN! Not because it's RS (which is boring, imo), but because its yours, and you can control it all. Great way to learn Java.

I used to run FoolScape. Had 80+ people on at once, twas awesome.

~Gooda~

 

[FreakingHell]

Yeah, I am also in a java course, i faill miserably.

 

[CrankCantankerous]

Java course in HS or college? because that would change my advice.

 

[Jubei]

Any prior programming experience?

 

[jdcskillet]

So I remember object oriented programming I like it was 2.5 years ago...
Anyway, we did a game for our project (complete with double buffering), it was simple maze game that allowed you to shoot at various bouncing objects (8 bit pics). Other examples that are relatively easy: space invader (trust me, this is cake), any point and click shooting (just make things randomly appear for people to click on), and any fill the screen game (a certain percentage). All are really easy to create classes and objects for.

For class, just pay attention and don't be afraid to ask. Java cleans things up for you (you don't need to keep track of pointers like in C++) and if you're using something like netbeans, will bring up lists of various functions (methods) you are allowed to call. If you ever get stuck, just post, I'm sure someone would help!

 

[KyanWan]

Cool things to explore:

NetBeans / Eclipse - Learn one of these. You can turn yourself from a noob, to a power programmer. Both are *free* IDEs for Java. ( think, Visual Studio - but free. How cool's that? )

Java RMI (Remote Method Invocation) - This, is awesome. Seriously. RMI - you can wire up a "supercomputer" over a network. It's so cool ... that I can't even possibly do it justice. Just learn it.

Swing - Make GUI apps for Java. It's WAY easier than the Java AWT.

Java JDBC - ( Java Database Connectivity ). Want to make money programming Java? Here ya go. You can use the ODBC data sources and use the Java ODBC connector. It's (ODBC Data sources) built right into EVERY WINDOWS COPY - and is free. Create & play with your own MS Jet (Access) DB.

Definitely play with inheritance - customize & expand some of the default libraries into beasts of your own.

JSP/EJB ( Java Server Pages , Enterprise Java Beans ) - Get a spare computer, install Slackware/RedHat on it - and set up an Apache/Tomcat server - play to your heart's content.

Java MIDP - Embedded Java programming - like games & utilities on your phone. It sounds hard, but you'll be surprised. Embedded programming is killer - plus - you can show it off to your friends easy - and - there's that "whoa" factor to it too.

Look for files of yours to sort, set up your own tools to do the work for you, and start automating everything you can think of.

The possibilities are endless. Once you break the mold of "what I'm doing is work" - it'll turn into fun & exploration. That's when it's not going to be a chore learning this stuff - you'll *enjoy* doing it. The more you know, the better stuff you can do.

[ NOTE : Some of the topics I've brought up are *advanced*. If you don't think you can handle it, OR, you're getting confused - it's best to take a step back, grab a good book - and strengthen yourself. Definitely DON'T just leave the subjects and never touch them again. Try again when you think you can handle it. ]

PLUS - don't rely ONLY on what you're learning in school/university.

If you want some killer Java books that will kick your skills up a few levels -

Core Java , Vol 1 & 2. Get the set. Vol 1 will make you a strong Java programmer. Vol 2 will turn you into a pro.

http://java.sun.com/developer/Books/javaprogramming/core_8th/