How to learn Java from scratch for free with certification?
Are you sick of bills to pay? Not sure if programming is for you, neither willing to spend a penny to discover? Or are you just an economizer person (no matter how much other people call you miser)? No problem! On this post, I’ll show you how to learn Java from scratch for free with certification!
What is Java and why learn it?
Java was first created by James Gosling to work with interactive televisions and released in 1995 by Sun Microsystems. Throughout the years, this language has become one of the most popular languages in use today, with applications across multiple platforms including desktop, Android, web, enterprise solutions and embedded systems, running on more than 3 billion devices. But what made it so famous and important?
Basically, it’s because it is a general-purpose, object-oriented language designed to have few dependencies and to be WORA.
“Holy Code! What does all of this mean?” , you could think. “Calm down, dear reader”, I’d say, “I’ll explain it all on another post, but for now, I’ll make a quick explanation”:
General purpose means that although it was first created for TVs, you can use it for almost anything, from machine learning to Yahoho Puzzle Pirates (it’s an old forgotten game).
Object orientation deserves (and will have) a whole new post, but for now, you just should know that it refers to a type of programming in which programmers define not only the data type of a data structure, but also the types of operations (functions) that can be applied to the data structure.
A dependency is when one piece of the code relies on another. For example, when you run a flash file on web for the first time, you most likely have to install Adobe Flash Player. And the WORA (write once, run anywhere) thing means that a Java code can run on all platforms that support it with no need for recompilation.
Then, learning Java is learning a language that revolutionized the coding world (the whole world actually) and that is well structured and stablished in the market. Does it sound interesting? So check it out how to learn it from scratch for free!
How to learn it for free?
Before showing the courses I’ve found in the area, I guess I should advise you about the learning path:
In computer programming, the best way of learning how to program is programming.
I know it sounds pretty redundant. And it actually is, just as completely true. Certifications might mean something at the beginning (or might mean nothing at all), but experience means much more!
After taking these courses (or just one of them, if you prefer) to understand the basics, think of something funny and/or useful you could develop and work on it. You will discover much more packages, functions and objects with your hands on than taking free courses.
Look for development forums like Stack Overflow or GitHub to find answers of your doubts if the Java documentation seems hard to understand. Keep in mind that developers are self-taught problem solvers. So, make programs (solve problems) and, after you finished the basics, try not to rely on courses.
That said, here it is some free courses I’ve found:
Solo Learn is a great platform to learn coding. Including this Java tutorial with 140 quizzes.
This LearnCafe’s 10 hours course is cool too, but not as good. I think you should just enroll if you are thirsty for some practical experience instead of taking long courses.
After taking one of these courses, I really recommend you to check out Test Do Me, which is a platform for free coding certification exams. It’s pretty amazing, I am currently testing my Python skill right there.
Oh! And speaking of which, check out my new article about how to learn Python from scratch for free with certification!
So that’s it! Talk to you in the next article, deal?
