The 5 Best Resources for Learning Java

Dozens of programming languages serve different purposes, but still, Java stands out from the competitors due to some major benefits. Here are the top five reasons, why Java is so popular:

1. It is an object-oriented, cross-platform language, which allows writing a program once to run it on multiple devices. This is why it’s widely used in Big Data and IoT developments, cloud projects, game development, etc.
2. It is a secure programming language with numerous features for creating enterprise level solutions. About 90% of the top 500 Fortune companies use Java.
3. Java developers are highly sought after in the global market. The average salary in the U.S. exceeds $102,000 per year.
4. Java has one of the largest communities in the programming world, as there are more than 10 million developers worldwide.
5. Java offers great prospects, as it keeps evolving and improving constantly. It has a great range of collections for solving different tasks and updates its features regularly.

It isn’t the easiest language to learn from scratch, compared with Python, which is adviced by many programmers as a first language, and JavaScript, which has a rather low learning curve. But if you put efforts, you can skill-up to the Junior Developer level in 3 to 12 months. The main rule of learning how to code is to devote enough time to practice. While it is quite easy to find good books on Java, choosing the right online platforms for real coding might be tricky. In this review, you’ll find top 5 resources for learning Java, with their peculiarities, pros, and cons.

Where to learn Java online

1. CodeCademy

This platform for online education is probably one of the best-known among learners. It allows you to choose your educational path and adjust a list of courses you need to complete to achieve your goal. Unfortunately, Java is not included in those “paths”, but the course provides you with a smooth introduction to language fundamentals. Here are the key topics covered in the course:

1. Java variables and data types
2. Object-oriented Java
3. Conditionals and control flow

CodeCademy is good for beginners who are looking to get started with programming in Java and the initial opportunity to practice coding.

Pricing:

Monthly subscription: $19.99

6-month subscription: $17.99 per month

12-month subscription: $15.99 per month

Pros:

• user-friendly web IDE, where you can write code and check it immediately
• a section with useful hints to complete each task + the FAQ section
• short and easy to read lectures with graphic visuals
• practical tasks (for example, creating a calculator and other apps)

Cons:

• a very short trial period
• gives you only the surface-level understanding of coding in Java

2. Udemy

Udemy offers a great range of Java programming courses from beginner to expert levels. Actually, it is one of the largest platforms worldwide for learning any subject.

If you’re a fan of video tutorials, you’ll like Udemy’s way of explanation. It is a great source to deepen your knowledge while studying & practicing Java programming. If you need a firm theoretical frame to commence your learning, a course like “Java Tutorial for complete beginners” may be the one you need. And with a premium account, you’ll get access to more specific Java courses.

Udemy is good for gaining knowledge on a variety of Java programming topics in an accessible way.

Pricing:

Starting from $10.99 per course plus a range of free courses

Pros:

• a great range of specific courses like Android, web, game development
• good coverage of Java basics and implementation of OOP concepts in Java
• video tutorials plus extra sources for reading

Cons:

• lack of programming exercises
• not enough interaction between students: basically, you learn alone

3. CodeGym.cc

Full disclosure — I am CMO at CodeGym.cc.

This online platform is completely devoted to Java. It’s a gamified course with “futuristic” narrative, motivational lectures and other entertaining features to help you move further in your studying.

The course is divided into four quests that cover the basics: Java Syntax, Java Core, Java Multithreading and Java Collections (the latter two are about to be released soon). At CodeGym.сс, you start to code from the first lessons in a web IDE with instant verification and code analysis options.

The main trick is that you need to solve as many tasks as you can because the right solutions bring you what’s called dark matter in the system. It’s a sort of fee you need to pay to open the next levels of the coding course.

CodeGym.cc is good for learners who want to master coding through practice.

Pricing: free

Pros:

• hundreds of tasks with instant verification and virtual mentoring
• gamified learning with achievements and motivation
• communication with other students and experienced developers

Cons:

• as for now, only the first half of the course is available
• a practice often outruns theory, so you might have to do extra research to solve some tasks

4. Codewars

If you just can’t get enough of coding (which is extremely good) and want to significantly improve your coding style, try Codewars katas. This platform allows you to write code in a browser, use test cases to make sure it works and compare your code with others.

Each kata is available for a user with a certain rank, and consequently, you can get more complicated challenges. So, be sure you have at least a brief experience in coding before you start your journey here.

Codewars is good for advancing programming skills you already have and competing with other programmers.

Pricing: free

Pros:

• intensive coding practice
• an ability to compare solutions with other users to discuss the best practices
• an ability to practice in groups

Cons:

• is suitable only for practice & challenges
• implies that you know Java fundamentals

5. Oracle Java tutorials

Practice first, but of course, you will need a profound understanding of Java programming. As one of the leading IT and software development companies, Oracle has its own free Java tutorial. It covers a wide range of topics:

• Java basics
• Creating graphical user interfaces
• Lots of other specialized trails and lessons

Oracle Java tutorials are good for solo learners, who aim to shift from studying to practicing.

Pricing: free

Pros:

• detailed step-by-step guidance on numerous programming tasks

Cons: N/D

How to balance your education

Try to combine different sources for practice, keep up with Java community and, of course, read books to get a deeper understanding. If you’re new to programming, you’ll quickly see that you don’t have to be a math genius to code, but you’ll surely need to advance your logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Make coding your daily habit, and you will see the results soon.