**please note that this is not a sponsored post**

With the university semester creeping around the corner, the summer gone as quick as a blink of an eye and no doubt that students around the world may (or may not) prepared for what lies ahead. One of them would be myself as I have challenging subjects this year…and that means lots of mathematics and programming. But not being shy to face a challenge, I prepared myself during the summer the best way I could.

Let’s face it. Programming skills are extremely useful and an important part of Computer Science (and most I.T disciplinary) yet it can be very difficult to get started. I still remember in 2016 when I first explored C# and found it so overwhelming and difficult that I copied a media player tutorial created by my lecturer as part of my assignment. I had no idea what I was doing. Just a tip: for beginners programming languages such as Java and Python are probably the better languages to start with.

First of all, I needed to knock Java on the head! I had some basic experience using Java such as declaring variables, adding constructors, printing out basic statements such as ‘Hello World’. However, I still struggled with the notion of understanding fully what Java did and what Java is capable of doing. And in order to exploit anything, you need to know it inside out (from my experience) so I wanted to go back to the very basics (boring if necessary) to get a very good grasp of Java before moving onto anything more advanced.

So, during the summer, I decided to try out a few learning challenges which were:

1. Head First Java (book)
2. Codeacademy (learning platform)
3. 30 Days of Code by Blondie Bytes (Youtuber)

Head First Java

Apart from being one of the recommended textbooks by my lecturer (from my current university and other colleges), Head First Java is a fun way to learn Java. Instead of facing reams of written information on a difficult subject, the Head First series is a book which teaches complex subjects using quirky jokes, puzzles, pictures, interview-style conversations and lots of practice activities and insights. I used Head First SQL and Head First HTML and CSS a couple of years ago and found it an absolute godsend. But this time around, I really struggled with some of the concepts laid out in the first few chapters and I gave up by the end of chapter four as I can not say I was comfortable moving on until I understood why I got some of the activities wrong. Therefore, I decided to scurry to Codeacademy.

Codeacademy

I heard of Codeacademy through NetworkChuck (a computer network Youtuber) who had been practicing Python (partially as a result to the change of Cisco’s curriculum) and he highly recommended it, so I decided to give it a go. At first, I felt Codeacademy was a little confusing: I wasn’t sure what was free and what was PRO as I was given a free 7-day-trial. Later I realized that the free version consists of lessons only while the PRO version consists of quizzes and additional projects (and a bit more). Apart from the initial confusion, Codeacademy had me practicing my Java skills straight away. I didn’t think programming could ever be….so addicting!

Blondiebytes

I also had a play with 30 Days Of Code by YouTuber Blondiebytes and found the videos very detailed and fast-paced. I think she does an amazing job of explaining how Java works and you can follow along to her example online. The videos are about 30 minutes long and then she also points you to the HackerRank challenges where you practice what you have learnt. I ended up completing day 3 (which for me took longer than 3 days to complete due to other commitments). Saying that it is a challenge.

My Verdict

My first and foremost is Codeacademy! Especially for beginners or false beginners (I was more of a false beginner) because it explains the basics before you practice and also you get a chance to apply what you have learnt straight away. The only downside could be the price (as a broke student!) if you want to go for the PRO version however that includes quizzes and real-life projects. Saying that, if you already know the basics and are quite tech savvy there’s nothing stopping you from searching potential java projects to do online and apply those skills.

My plan is that once I get the basics through Code Academy, the 30 day of code challenge would be my next go-to as it still touches on the basics (which is a good revision) and but then spills into further detail before I finally attempt Head First Java (for the fifth time).

Saying that, any resource is dependent on preferences as everyone is different and we all learn differently so please do share your preferences here.

Further Information

CodeAcademy has a range of courses which are free. Lessons are totally free but you are giving the opportunity to give PRO a try. It offers up to 12 programming languages including JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++ etc.

Blondiebytes also known as Kathryn Hodge is a talented computer scientist and programmer. She has a computer science and film background. Check out more about her here .

Blondie Bytes: 30 Days of Code

Head First Java

The Head First series has an unorthodox and creative approach to teaching complex subjects such as programming, mathematics, sciences and business.

Lets tag: #java #programming #javaprogramming #headfirst #headfirstjava #blondiebytes #30daysofcode #networkchuck #codeacademy #computer #code #learning #study

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Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash