Learning Java?

[revangrey]

I am not currently taking computers right now, having finished the grade 10 course last semester.
I would however like to learn java for next year in computer class...but I am unsure as to where I should start.
First of all when I googled java downloads they did not all seem...the same? quite unlike turing...

so I would like to know the following:
-Is there any 1 good site to download any particular version of java from?
-Are there any books I should buy?
-Is it more likely to crash my frail computer than turing?

In general I would like to know how to get started, and I assure you I am not usually helpless.

Any and all that you can give me is appreciated as always!

[Insectoid]

1. Sun.com should have the current version of Java available for download

2. No clue

3. Yes, it is more likely. But if you stick with it you'll do fine. The main stumbling block is crossing over from a procedural language to an objective language, but you'll get it eventually.

The best way to get started is to just get stuck in! Keep at it, ask questions and read wtd's (I think it was wtd's) article on it

[revangrey]

thank you!

p.s. any hints appreciated...

[DemonWasp]

Java as a language is "owned" by SUN Microsystems. Their implementation is the reference (and default) implementation, and you can download it from here (be sure to get the JDK, not just the JRE). Note: during the installation it may ask you if you want to install the Yahoo Toolbar - you don't.

You need the JDK (Java Development Kit) if you want to code in Java, as it contains the compiler (javac). If you just want to run Java code, you only need the JRE (Java Runtime Environment). The JDK includes the JRE.

You can buy books if you want, but SUN's Java Tutorials are quite good. Like, really really good.

Java is probably less likely to crash your computer than Turing. Turing isn't particularly well (or poorly) coded, but it has a lot of bugs (including fatal ones that cause an environment crash - but, of course, it's not your fault). Java is much better, with at best the occasional bug.

Edit: Once you've installed Java, we can start talking about how to write and compile code in Java. There are a lot of different editors (unlike Turing, which has exactly one useful one).

[Insectoid]

I like to write it in textwrangler, nice & clean with no stupid additions, and it has to option to compile/run built in. I prefer to compile from the command line though.

EDIT: neglected to mention that TextWrangler doesn't have a Windows version.

[revangrey]

thank you as well!

[syntax_error]

I think one of the best guild to start of learning java, all you need is notepad [notepad++ if you wish] and a complier; this along with WTD's intro to java, if you start of learning like that you will go places.

[revangrey]

if I may be so ignorant as to ask... where I would get this "notepad"?

[Tony]

notepad is a stock text editor. You can use any text editor that you wish.

[revangrey]

...I can see I have much to learn

Thanx!

[chili5]

An excellent Java web site:
http://chortle.ccsu.edu/CS151/cs151java.html

[Insectoid]

notepad can be found in start->programs->accesories->notepad. It comes with XP (dunno about Vista)

[saltpro15]

insectoid, I think revangrey means notepad++, which can be found here
http://sourceforge.net/projects/notepad-plus/

[wtd]

chili5 @ Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:55 pm wrote:

An excellent Java web site:
http://chortle.ccsu.edu/CS151/cs151java.html

It's very thorough, but it waits too long to introduce code organization via methods, classes and packages.

[yanko]

hey, i got the core java volume1 fundamentals 8th edition, and it's a grat book,i would recomand to buy it , or get pdf file version, witch i got too, i could share it with you lol..... and there is volume 2 but i am still in volume 1 lol...