I'm a noob to Java, can you point me in the right direction?

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

Hello all :slight_smile:

I’m new to Java, and I want to learn, where are some good resources to learn from, whether they are free or paid, I don’t mind. You should tell me what makes each resource good as well. My friend says I should watch YouTube videos by ‘thenewboston’, what do you think of him, because I read somewhere that he isn’t very good. Also, if there is a way (tell me how), I will make a poll on this thread to gather my results and so that other noobs like me can see. Eventually I want to work with LWJGL also link me to resources that will teach me to use that too :slight_smile:

Thanks :slight_smile:

#2

Welcome to JGO!

For learning the language itself, I recommend ‘Head First Java.’ It pretty much speaks for itself. You can check it out here: http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfjava/

After that, get comfortable with games programming with Threads and the game loop and work in the javax.swing and java.awt packages for a while. Try making a couple simple games like Pong or Tetris at this stage.

Stay away from IDEs like Eclipse or Netbeans while you’re learning so you don’t get used to having that crutch. Notepad is fine, but a simple IDE is Textpad. (textpad.com)

Write all of your own code too (no external libraries).

#3

Thanks, is Java for Dummies any good? Also, for a basic IDE, are TextMate or TextWrangler any good (I have a mac)?

#4

Either eclipse or netbeans. Those are the 2 best IDE’s. I personally like eclipse better.

-Nathan

#5

Not for learning the basics in my opinion. I used BlueJ at school. Really useful tool, easy to debug with. Also easy to see what actually changes if you make changes in your code.

#6

Those aren’t IDEs, they are text editors. The programs StonePickaxes suggested are IDEs.

I clicked the appreciate button instead of quote >_> so… Have a free medal :smiley:

#7

I would suggest starting out writing command line stuff with simple console input and output and become comfortable with the basic concepts before you jump into AWT or Swing.

#8

In that case… Quote me as well please :D.
Also totally agreed with Beamery, and you should start working OO from the beginning in my opinion. Might be hard to work with in the beginning, but later on it will be so much easier to work with! :slight_smile: trust me ;).

#9

I agree with evilfrenchguy. Start with something really simple, not with an MMORPG.

I agree with him again. You should understand how Java works underneath before using IDEs so that they really help you to become more productive without making you waste some time when something does not work as expected.

Finally, maybe have a look at JogAmp (JOGL + JOCL + JOAL).

#10

I don’t think we should jump too far ahead right from the beginning. You have to know and understand the basics (i.e. command line applications) before you can even consider looking at graphics libraries. Rather than starting with Pong or Tetris (which can be quite daunting tasks for a Java beginner), start with something really basic, like a number guessing game. Now of course, this doesn’t apply if you’ve had a good deal of programming experience prior to Java, but from a true beginner’s perspective, one must understand and have a solid base in the fundamentals before jumping into graphical applications.

#11

Hey Skridovaste and welcome to JGO!!

This post should give you a general view of the whole java gaming scene.

Good luck! :slight_smile:

EDIT: I saw you on the #jgo IRC channel, and you mentioned a book: Java, A Beginner’s Guide, by Herbert Schildt? I absolutely recommend this book because, coincidently, that book is what taught me Java ;D If you do get it, get the 5th edition.

#12

Yeah, most certainly go through some kind of general Java primer first. Head First Java is awesome because of how it’s written. They make bad 50’s and 60’s culture references to grab your attention. The whole book is designed so you retain the information.

I did get a bit ahead of myself–make text games first.

#13

Don’t use IDE. Use simple text editor, can be notepad++, jEdit or else. Feel the pain and every single taste of exception. You’ll be guru in no time* 8)

*) more than 10,000 hours still.

#14

The only good reason to not start with an IDE is so that you understand the java build system. Mind you it’s a good reason, but once you understand how classpaths work and how to modify them without the assistance of the IDE, and similarly how to launch an app without the IDE helping out, there’s no reason other than masochism to not use an IDE going forward.

#15

I agree with you, I suggested him to have a look at it, I didn’t suggest him to start using it for his first project.

#16

You’re all saying ‘Don’t use IDEs yet, use simple text editors.’ I have a Mac with 4text editors installed; TextWrangler, TextMate and a Mac port of Notepad++ and the default TextEdit. Which would you say is best to use? Also, I found a copy of Java for Dummies in a library, would you say that is any good to use?

Thanks :slight_smile:

#17

Most Mac users I know swear by TextMate, but the best text editor is the one you’re most comfortable with.

Library copies of books tend to be really obsolete. From what I can see from the Amazon summaries of Java for Dummies, the only one that I’d even bother with is the most recent edition (previous editions were using JCreator of all things). You’re probably better off following the java tutorial trails on oracle.com

#18

Second that, the tutorials at oracle are very useful! And not just the drawing ones, but also the ones about streams events etc.

#19

@OP: IMO notepad++ is the best.

#20

The one in the library happens to be the newest one, so I went and picked it up. Also I checked out the Java tutorials on oracle.com, and it seemed to be very complicated and sophisticated. I looked around in Java for Dummies and it was a lot easier.

Also, Head First Java seems to be very old, so is it suitable for learning the most up to date version of Java?