Question for all you Java Programmers.?

Question

Hey all...so here's the deal...

I've been programming COBOL for about 9 years now. I learned on the job from my company, they only taught me COBOL, nothing else. I don't have a Computer Science degree nor have I ever taken a formal programming class. I am right now enrolled in an online Java Programming class through the local community college. I'll admit, I am a little concerned about doing well since I have no Object Oriented experience.

Does anyone have any advice as to preparing for the class? And do you think I would have better taking basic Computer Science Classes first before taking a straight programming class?

Thanks...

Thanks to all who answered, I appreciate the insight and support. It was tough to choose a Best Answer but I have to say the Bereley Webcasts look like it could be a handy resource.

Thanks again all.

Answer 1

You could try Berkely webcasts to learn java. I really enjoy this professors teaching style.
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details.php?seriesid=1906978343

Also, you can use the free netbeans IDE for java programming that can be downloaded with the java runtime environment. You'll need the bundle if java isn't currently installed. NetBeans IDE 5.5.1 with JDK 6.0 Update 1 Bundle

http://www.netbeans.info/downloads/index.php

Answer 2

i'm not probable advantageous if I understand your question completely. C++ isn't merchandise oriented (it has OO useful properties, huge difference); you have a form of programming utilising based concepts or utilising OO concepts. Java is punctiliously merchandise oriented, so which you're locked into utilising classes. there is a few stuff in C++ that may not in java...jointly with... C++ Templates Structs The STL regulations (no, sorry, java has references; the version is you won't be in a position to alter what a reference factors to) Java Multithreading (not from a nil.33 social gathering library, duh) unquestionably GUI help Code portability devoid of recompiling on systems that run a various kernel and another stuff. in case you have discovered Java you will probably do wonderful in C++, however the "C" stuff might confuse you. Why? think of of it like this, how might you many times enforce a related record in Java? nicely you ought to declare a classification the functioned as a catalogue that had a "documents" member in it, yet you have not have been given classes in C. In C you will possibly use a struct and a gaggle of applications that did the activity. UML additionally would not persist with to based programming (as you have not have been given any considered classes, inheritance, polymorphism, is a/has a/knows a relationships. while you're finding for suggestion, do not learn C++, get a e book on C (the ok&R e book is a sturdy one, it is talked approximately as "The c language") and do the examples in that e book. tension your self to become a based programmer, branch out.

Answer 3

It is probably quite scary to go out and start a new programming language on your own. Though one would hope that you will be getting some assistance from the college if you have any questions to ask.
You should have already a good grounding in computing with your 9 years in COBOL. The allocation and assignment of variables will not be foreign to you.

I would like to add Java Essential Classes http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/javafund/ to the list of books already suggested.
Your programming knowledge of writing efficient paragraphs will allow you to create efficient methods.
You will no longer see data structures.
It is all going to be very new, especially the design of OO code.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You should be okay taking an introductory OO programming class. Generic programming classes won't help much if you have already been programming for about a decade.

You might consider picking up the O'Reilly "Nutshell" book for Java:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/learnjava3/

And also a decent book on OO design and analysis:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfobjects/index.html

That should be enough to get you going. You can already program, you just need to understand the strengths and best ways to use OO languages.

Answer 5

Best advice, check amazon.. buy a book and set down and read it.