How did you learn java?

So I'm new, and I wanted to learn Java, only I can't really find a good way to do it. I decided to make a poll, and check out the results. If you have any questions/things to say, please comment it down

 

I just did. Checking code of others, figuring out what it does, using that knowledge to fix up stuff...
And of course the wiki! http://wiki.bukkit.org/

 

Started off by learning the most basic things, like the calculator (nearly) every book wants you to code.
I quickly began to write bukkit plugins, infact I learned java so I could code them!

So, here are my advices:

• Learn the java basics
• Write simple plugins
• Know the bukkit javadocs!
• It's ok to copy some code, as long as you understand what it does
• Take a look on other people's code and try to understand it

Knowing the api is really important. You should at least know how to look something up in the javadocs.

EDIT:
By the way, there is no need to buy an expensive book to learn java.
There are a lot of tutorials out there, just google a bit and you'll save some bucks (and these kind of books get expensive, trust me).
I bought only two programming books to day:
One was a book about general java, didn't teach me anything... 60€ wasted .
The second was a book about 3D programming, it is really good and I couldn't find a tutorial online which was nearly as good as the book.

To conclude:
Save your money, buy the books later if you want to learn something specific.

 

What do you mean with Simple plugins?

 

Don't start like "I'm gonna build the next WorldGuard".
Take small steps. Think about plugins you could code in a few hours.

 

You don't even need simple plugins. To start write basic software with a static main in eclipse. Try to hone your skill by enhancing what you can do via text or by modifying objects and changing variables. Then when you have a basic understanding I would recommend following tutorials. In all honesty the way that I learned may not work for you.

You need to understand this.
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/concepts/index.html

Here is a hello world app to help you understand. Try to understand why Hello World is printed twice.

Code:java

public class MainClass {
public MainClass() {
this.prntGreeting();
}
 
public static void main(String arguments[]) {
MainClass main = new MainClass();
main.prntGreeting();
main.terminate();
}
 
public void prntGreeting() {
System.out.println("Hello World!");
}
 
public void terminate() {
System.exit(0);
}
}

Finally check out some smaller plugins to see how they are structured.
Do not duplicate others, understand what they are doing and why it is being done that way.
https://github.com/deathmarine
Feel free to skim over my github, there are many small plugins that you can learn from and larger ones when you grasp an understanding.

 

I am trying to learn Java, but there's so much to remember and it is very confusing. Could someone help me?

 

@GoToTheSatan
I am started with Java coding 2 months ago, and I am learning every day. I watched a few Tutorials and after that I just experimented. Just did it like Lolmewn . But what really helps (also for Mike1022) is try to understand what you are doing, try to understand what's actually happening. Like this one:

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

Code:java

@EventHandler
public void nodrop(PlayerDropItemEvent event){
event.setCancelled(true);
}

What's happening here is that you literately cancel that a player drops an item or block,

If you do this you are going to be able to easier make plugins from scratch and solve problems yourself.

also try to remake some plugins, not the big one like essentials and worldedit, but just the smaller one. Don't release them of course, but just remake them for practice

have fun! And I hope my tip's are helping you

 

I started out by watching TheNewBoston and the udelly website for the java basics and then i came onto the bukkit forums and looked at people's mistakes and see how they were solved by others and i just tried to understand and plus im still learning everyday

 

My base knowledge of Java is from taking a class in school. It provided the foundation for the rest of my knowledge, which I acquired through curiosity and google searches.

 

Just a question: Do you guys think 'CodeAcademy' works?

 

How old were you when you took the class? And also how old are you anyways?

 

I learned java from 10 years of computer terminal and java programming from my uncle he works for Microsoft and knows many things about computer programming. That's how I learned Java and other programming.

Ok are you a beginner if so tell me.

 

Ehh i'd say i'm sorta beginner I mean I can make bukkit plugins without taking code from a video or a site. But yea I don't know much.

 

Ok what would you like to know how to program because that is a big part what in specific?

 

I only know how to make anti TnT plugins

 

What helped me with java is I learned Web Developing. Some of java is very familiar to php and other web languages. So because I had the understanding of what variables, methods and functions do, as well as calling methods from other locations in web developing etc. This allowed me to pick up on java fairly quickly.

 

I learned Java by skimming through books, watching Java tutorials on YouTube, practicing in Eclipse, messing with open-source programs to see what would happen if I changed something. I am currently developing my own program.

 

GoToTheSatan
Another tip(maybe not really for learning java, but for when you need to fix some bugs )
Go thought the whole code and say to yourself what is happening when that line of code is used, most of the time you find the bug your self then

 

I learnt by sitting down on the computer checking out what the java docs has to offer, once I had a basic understanding of methods and classes I moved on to youtube tutorials by the new Boston. Don't just type what he does and that's it, after the tutorial delete the code Ben try to revise it in your head without the video. Take notes all the time, you may need them in time. Once I had finished that up I couldn't stress this enough but, if you don't understand your code you don't understand how to code. Read it through, does it make sense? If not what can I do to make it better? When you have some troubles don't be afraid to ask. Also learn how to read stack traces!

 

Buy!??

No. I was smart and went to the library to get Java for Dummies

 

Ifyour library got that book, good for you.
Mine just had a book about C, written 12 years ago^^

 

se1by
What the...? Try a different library

 

xTrollxDudex
When I started coding, I lived in a very small town, the only library was run by the church^^

 

I would imagine you can get a good grasp of it here without learning any bad habits:
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/

...careful learning from others code. People all have slightly different approaches and many have bad habits. I BEG you not to try to learn from my code. I used past c/cpp experience and hacked code together during drunken late nights till it did what I wanted

 

I learned java primarily by google searches and playing around with it, and viewing other's sources