How to transit from learning Java theory to practicing it

You’ve started learning Java, and you’ve read a lot of pages and watched many videos. And now, it’s time to code, but you’re hesitating. Maybe you lack self-confidence, or you don’t know how to begin. I know this feeling, we all’ve been there. In this article, I’ll help you take the first step toward becoming a practicing developer!

To code or… to code. There’s no question

There’s no other way to improve your coding skills than programming. You can read dozens of tutorials, but it’s not enough. Actually, there’s no need to wait until you’ve read them – it’s much better to start practicing asap. Okay, I’ll let you procrastinate a little bit more, so read these reasons why you should code instead of reading endless articles about coding:

• The more you code, the faster you master programming. Like any practical skill, programming requires repetitive actions and putting effort day after day.
• With time, you’ll start solving more and more complex tasks. Noticing such progress will help you maintain your motivation.
• Coding improves your problem-solving skills. In fact, programming is all about solving problems. So, by practicing it, you’ll acquire several sub-habits, for example, breaking down complex problems into smaller pieces. It will help you in work and other areas of your life.
• With practice, the fun comes. At first, it may seem very hard to memorize all Java language syntax, methods, and APIs. But if you keep practicing, it becomes easier to recall. As a result, you write better code faster.
• Practice builds confidence. In time, you’ll feel better about yourself and your coding abilities. Also, it’ll become easier to apply for a job (and it’s the ultimate goal of learning Java, isn’t it?).

I think you already know what you have to do. So, let’s find out how to start!

The journey to Java starts in 3, 2, 1…

When you’re just starting, it’s essential to do it right. If you begin with too complex tasks, you may get demotivated fast, and it won’t be easy to continue studying. So, better start with these steps, which have proven themselves effective:

1. Use online tutorials. You will start writing simple programs (like ”Hello, world!”) as you learn new topics, and quite soon, you’ll see yourself getting better at programming. Some popular websites you may use are CodeGym, Codecademy, Udemy, and Coursera.
2. Learn by “stealing”, i.e., using code examples. Many online resources provide code examples that help you understand different Java programming concepts, such as loops, conditional statements, etc. So, you can use these examples to see how the language “works” and adjust them to write your own programs. For instance, you can find code examples on GitHub and Java Code Geeks.
3. Create mini-projects. It’s a great way to put the Java knowledge you’ve gotten from tutorials into use. Try writing small programs with a clear, simple purpose, for example, a calculator that performs basic arithmetic operations or a program that converts temperatures between Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. And if you want to make Java coding practice even more interesting, you can write simple games like Snake. Creating mini-projects and games helps you improve your skills and build up self-confidence.

Once again, let me emphasize that practicing regularly and consistently is the key to mastering Java. Try mixing and matching different approaches: practicing with tutorials, using code examples, and writing simple projects and games.

Do you need a system?

The only obstacle left is the lack of a system. How do you know what's the most efficient step you should take next? How can you be sure you're not wasting time? After all, you want to become a developer as soon as possible, aren’t you?

Here are some online courses and websites that can help you create a path to your goal by solving quality tasks:

1. CodeGym. This Java programming course reminds you of a video game: you should solve tasks to reach the next level. In an engaging and challenging manner, the course walks you through all of Java's key concepts and features, starting from the basics and gradually building up to more advanced topics. You can write simple programs and games and create projects. And “virtual mentor” will automatically check your code.
2. HackerRank. This platform offers programming challenges and competitions in different programming languages (Java, Python, C++, etc.). The range of competition topics is quite wide: from data structures to machine learning.
3. Project Euler. This website has many mathematical/computer programming problems you can solve using programming languages like Java, Python, and more. It really challenges you to use all your math knowledge and coding skills. And, of course, it helps you practice programming and become a developer faster.
4. LeetCode. This platform also has programming challenges and competitions to offer. You can use Java, Python, C++, and other languages to solve the tasks. Moreover, this website helps you not only improve your coding skills but also prepare for job interviews.
5. Codingame. This website is helpful for those who want to improve their coding skills by having fun. It offers various challenges and puzzles, and you can code in different languages (Java, C++, Python, JavaScript, etc.) in an integrated development environment (IDE). Also, this platform allows you to create multiplayer games from scratch or modify existing games.

You can try different platforms and find out which suits your learning style (are you a serious or fun-loving learner?), goals (is Java your hobby? Do you want to advance your career? Or, maybe, develop some specific skills?), and experience level better.

Where to seek help?

Learning a new programming language will be tricky, and at some point, you’ll definitely need help from more experienced developers. You may not understand some Java concepts, make syntax mistakes, or have problems debugging your code. Fear no more, there are many places where you can find advice and get feedback from the huge community of Java enthusiasts. For example:

• r/learnjava. It’s a subreddit for people learning Java programming. Here, you can ask questions, share your code, and get feedback from other learners and experienced Java programmers.
• Quora. This popular question-and-answer platform may help you get answers to your problems. Just remember to ask the question very clearly and tag it appropriately (Java programming, Java development, Java syntax, etc.).
• CodeRanch is a community of Java programmers where you can ask questions, get advice, and discuss Java-related topics. Also, here you can find many forums dedicated to different aspects of Java programming. Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll find the help you need.
• Stack Overflow. You can hardly imagine a developer who hasn’t heard about this platform. It’s where you go with questions about programming in different languages. Stack Overflow has a large community of experts who can help you improve your code.

There’s no shame in asking for help. It’s the opposite: if you’re asking for help, it means you keep learning, hence, moving to your goal. I wish you a pleasant journey!