Java Glossary : Getting Started

Java definitions: 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Getting Started

How do you get started in Java? Here are the suggested steps.

Download and install the JDK.
Use regedit to check that the registry entries at My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Javasoft look plausible. They can get screwed up if you uninstall or install more than one Java run time.
Print yourself a copy of the Java Cheat Sheet.
Collect all the Documentation that is absolutely essential.
Download SmartJ and SmartJC with Jikes.
Write the HelloWorld application and get it going. HelloWorld, javac.exe, java.exe, and CLASSPATH.
Applet entry.
tutorials, and read up on how to write Java code.
Sun's docs for Java newbies.
Review the the CAQs -- most commonly asked questions. At least peruse the FAQs -- the frequently asked questions.
the gotchas section of the Java & Internet Glossary to warn you about the common pitfalls and to learn how to interpret compiler error messages. Even if you just skim it now, it will save you months of frustration, because when you hit a gotcha, in the back of your mind you will remember it, and you can go back to read the details.
Bone up how you are expected to behave in newsgroups. Post your beginner questions to comp.lang.java.help. Do not cross post them to the more advanced topics such as comp.lang.java.machine and comp.lang.java.programmer. Before you post, check the Java & Internet Glossary and the Java FAQs Frequently Asked Questions. People will be quite rude if you ask a question already answered in one of the FAQs. They have not the time to wade through material covered a hundred times before.
If you are an experienced programmer, just coming up to speed on Java then try the Sun Forums on Java,
Personal Bookshelf. It will point you to places you can read text books free online, particularly Thinking in Java.
Visit a computer bookstore and pick yourself a fat textbook on Java that tackles problems of interest to you at an appropriate difficulty level. It is better to browse in a real bookstore that to buy online. See book stores to buy books online.
Java: How to Program

0-13-012507-5

Paul J. Deitel, Harvey M. Deitel

It is 1355 pages, with lots of examples and a broad coverage of Java-related topics. It covers JDK 1.2.

Java: An Introduction to Computer Science & Programming (2nd Edition)

0-13-031697-0

Walter J. Savitch

Good for beginners to computer programming.
Read the events essay.
Check out IDE to consider an Integrated Development Environment, particularly a source debugger and class browser.
Check out collections of source code to see how other people solve various Java problems.
To learn how to interconvert the basic Java types play with the Conversion Amanuensis. Doing the I/O with the Java conversion classes is a bit like memorising the irregular French verbs. You need a tutor -- the Amanuensis. This includes converting back and forth between numeric Strings and internal binary formats.
To learn the Byzantine Java I/O classes, play with the File IO Amanuensis asking it to generate you source code for all manner of combinations of data and file type. Doing I/O with the Java classes is a bit like constructing a car out of Lego blocks. You need the Amanuensis to show you the ropes. Read the binary formats, endian, println formats and primitives entries.
Just reading will get you nowhere. You have to read, then apply what you read, alternating read then do. Give yourself a real project that has some emotional appeal for you. If you can't think of anything, the list of student projects.
Read How To Write Unmaintainable Code and carefully avoid following its advice.
Check out the Newbie essay to see if you are falling into the common bad habits most newbies pick up.
Check out the section on dealing with tough homework problems. It is useful for tackling tough problems generally.

Core Java 2, Volume I: Fundamentals (6th Edition)

0-13-047177-1

Cay Horstmann and Gary Cornell

Covers JDK 1.4 such as regular expressions, New I/O, assertions, Preferences, Swing enhancements and logging. Aimed at someone who already knows C++. This is not a fluffy introductory book.

Core Web Programming, Second Edition

0-13-089793-0

Marty Hall and Gary Cornell

1250 pages. This is a great doorstop of a book. It has a few chapters on client-server programming in Java, and a section of that is on CGI. I have looked at hundreds of Java books and found nothing that deals in depth with client side Java talking to CGI, except Marty's book. It is really very simple and he does an excellent job of explaining it. Marty has posted all the source code examples from the book for anyone to use. These contain updates and errata fixes you don't get on the CD-ROM that comes with the book.

Head First Java

0-596-00465-6

Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra

A beginners' book that not only has the depth it's also an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

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