r/learnjava • u/scared2026 • 1d ago

Questions for java developers

So I am just starting to do java. Even tho I learned at scl for years but didn't really paid attention. Now I am thinking of building Career in java. In order for me to get good at it do I learn java everyday and do coding everyday to be better at it? Or do I learn something part by part like 1st I learn oop then exception handling or something? I did try crud operation yesterday. Somehow did it with the help of my friend. But still confused at some part. Looking at my friend I feel really behind. For me to get to there level, I Don't think I can do itšŸ˜©

Can someone share some tips on how make coding fun.maybe a roadmap for me to follow, be good at programming.

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u/four204eva2 1d ago

Don't focus on the language, focus on the concepts that swe is built on: data structures, algorithms, etc. learn how to think in objects and how to model abstract ideas as an object. Understand that the language is just that, a language. I speak English, if I wanted to describe something it would be different than how someone who speaks Mandarin does, but we're referring to the same object.

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u/jlanawalt 1d ago

I agree in general for ā€œlearn to codeā€ or ā€œlearn computer science.ā€

If the goal is specifically to learn Java, then I think you should just start learning Java and making it do something before going off on the long journey of a software engineering background.

If a person is ready to commit to a proper education in the field and has the time and resources, then yes, enroll in a proper program and take that journey. Wade through the history of computers. Learn about binary search trees and O notation. Etc. All valuable things that can be a boon if you not only pass, but internalize the lessons.

If a person is entertaining the idea and not sure or able to make that commitment, then I think it is better if they just start learning to do things in the language they have chosen. You donā€™t need to (and shouldnā€™t) make your own linked list to implement an address book or checkers game, or make your own website.

Later when a challenge arises and you need to optimize you might ask for help and get a response about search algorithms or whatever and then you can go learn when you need and care about it. Probably .find weā€™ll always be fast enough. Maybe some day not understanding ArrayList vs LinkedList bothers you enough that you start learning data structures. Meanwhile Spring Boot best practices have already been guiding you to make things in a generally good enough way for your web app.