this post was submitted on 28 Feb 2024

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Programming

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Geeking out a little and wanted to share (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by SendMeYourTaTas@sh.itjust.works to c/programming@programming.dev

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Hello!

I just wanted to make a post to share my excitement over discovering programming with Java. For context, my previous knowledge of any programming language barely extended into classes as I always struggled with understanding more than the basic basic things (classes? like what you wear on your face? get and set what? the table?).

I really liked the idea of programming though! So over the years (maybe 15-20?), I tried learning (and failed) with different languages, hoping something would help things click. I've tried C#, Basic, JavaScript, HTML/CSS and more but never Java. As to why not, I have no clue.

The reason for Java, now, is that I've been playing Minecraft a lot recently (my adhd thanks you Mojang) and I figured, why not give it a try? So I started a free online course covering the basics: variables, methods, objects... A week later, and after a lot of DuckDuckGoing, I now understand not only the basics but classes, IO, exceptions, and so much more! I'm currently wrapping my head around Generics but I'm having a wonderful time with it. After that, who knows :)

Take care and thank you for reading!

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[–] Timwi@kbin.social 11 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I applaud your success! I'm curious though: what is it about C# that made it inaccessible compared to Java? The two are extremely similar, so much so that I think you'd have to learn for more than a year before you start noticing any differences.

[–] DrDeadCrash@programming.dev 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I was thinking the same thing, until I read Minecraft. Java mods...

[–] sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.works 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Motivation is one hell of a teacher.

[–] SendMeYourTaTas@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

That's exactly where my mind was going. Learn Java and maybe one day I can make a Minecraft mod lol. I'm not modding yet but just the idea of doing it gave me the kick I needed to get started learning.

[–] abhibeckert@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Find someone else's open source mod and try to change how it works.

[–] dust_accelerator@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Virtual high five! Keep it up, I'm always happy to see someone find joy and a sense of accomplishment in programming things.

Check out polymorphism and concurrency when you feel you're solid enough on the other things. Concurrency/threading can be a bit weird to wrap your head around, but essential to build powerful things. (See Reader-/Writer problem to start)

[–] SendMeYourTaTas@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago

Thank you! I will write those down for later reference :)

[–] pcouy@lemmy.pierre-couy.fr 4 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Do you mind sharing links to the courses you found ? I've been teaching Java to students who almost never wrote code before, and I'm always looking for beginner-friendly resources I can recommend to them.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

If you teach them factories in tyool 2024, I swear I will find you and I will take away every color compiler and runtime you have outside of Radio Shack Level 1 BASIC (TRS 80).

[–] SendMeYourTaTas@sh.itjust.works 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Sure! The course that finally worked for me is at Codecademy. I'm only doing the free content but it's broken down in ways I can understand, with immediate examples after the explanations. It has you create a small program after each short lesson and keeps slowly building up. There are hints for each task as well, which has helped me tremendously as well.

It reminds me of freeCodeCamp's courses, but for Java. It's also not so wordy (no offense to FCC), which is great for keeping my focus on the content.

I'm currently on the 'Learn Intermediate Java' course but I started with the 'Learn Java' course.

https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-java

[–] pcouy@lemmy.pierre-couy.fr 1 points 8 months ago

Thanks for the detailed answer about your learning experience and for the link 👍 ! I'll make sure to check it out.

[–] RobertoOberto@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago

Nice work!

Without formal a formal education program, finding the right subset of a new skill or hobby is probably the best way to hook yourself in so it's easier to keep at it long enough to really start learning. It sounds like concepts are finally sticking for you because you have an immediate and fun application for them.

I hope more people continue to find unconventional paths into the field like you did, keep going with it.

[–] Fades@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Modern Java is great! Kotlin too

[–] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

That's kickass, way to go! Online learning is the way to go. I have a hard time learning stuff directly from a book (ADHD may be why idk). Something about the structure and pace and external motivation of a course does the trick for me. That's how I learned AngularJS, anyway. All kinds of stuff you can do with Java: Desktop apps, web apps, etc etc.

[–] elxeno@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

I never got the point of using classes from tutorials, all those animals/cars/person examples were utterly useless to me, but then i started writing C++/Qt and then Flutter and i think i got it...

[–] thepiguy@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 months ago

That's great to hear! Always nice more new programmers. Minecraft modding is great, and it also provides you with a platform with a lot of reach and a lot of really amazing devs willing to help. My most successful project to date has been a simple Minecraft mod. Keep it up and good luck on your modding adventures!

[–] aluminium@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Very cool. Thats in a way the beauty of Java. It offers you just enough Tools for Object Oriented Programming to get everything done in some way (maybe not the most elegant or efficient way, but in a way).

[–] Asudox@lemmy.world -2 points 8 months ago

Is Java really that fun? I really hate boilerplate languages.