Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial
Philip Schultz
11,437 PointsAm I learning?
I'm not trying to be rude but I feel as though I'm not learning Java. I am pretty much copying the videos every move and anytime he starts explaining something he says "don't worry what this means we'll dive into that later". I have been through java basics and I am pretty sure I don't know the basics. Where do you explain what a class is, what an object is, why do you capitalize string variables but int, or double variables. I have watched the first video of the second course three times now (Creating Classes) and I have no idea what a class is.What am I suppose to know thus far. Once again I'm not trying to be rude, it might be just worried I'm not doing something i'm suppose to.
3 Answers
jacobproffer
24,604 PointsHey Philip,
My advice to you is to practice writing Java outside of the Treehouse setting. Take what you learn or see in the course, even if it's just printing your name to the console, and repeat it until you have a firm grasp on how to write and utilize it. Write basic console programs or a program that will help you (Such as a calculator).
The key to learning Java, at least for me, is repetition and being able to hand-write programs. This is a technique my Computer Science professor uses. He has our class physically hand-write full programs for quizzes and exams. This may seem counter-productive but if you can write it on paper, you can write it in a text-editor.
Some exercises that I use daily when practicing or learning Java:
- Hand-write programs on dry erase boards or on paper using crayons (it's kind of fun)
- Write basic console programs
- Take an old program and find a way to simplify the code
- Read books and or blogs regarding the language
You'll have to find what works best for you. But by all means, do not give up. Java is a fun language and there are many resources out there to help you learn it.
Best,
Jacob
Ricky Catron
13,023 PointsJacob Proffer is right. The easiest way to learn is to practice. When you finish a section set yourself a little challenge and try to work your way through it.
In response to your confusion, this early a lot of topics will be confusing or go over your head. Treehouse trys to teach you what you need to know when you need to know it. int and double are lowercase because they are primitive types which has minimal things you can do with it. String is different because it is kind of halfway between a class and a primitive. Java's creators made that very confusing.
Classes and Object Oriented Programming will take time to understand. It took quite a while for it to "click" for me but don't worry it will come.
Goodluck! --Ricky
Philip Schultz
11,437 PointsThank you Rick for clearing the variable declarations up for me. I'll just have to be more patient and trust that it will be explained at the right time. I just hate writing something down that I don't fully understand. I thank you both for the positive reinforcement and I don't plan on quitting anytime soon. Thanks again.
reece
1,975 PointsI read a book called "Java for Dummies" that I purchased a while back. Didn't understand much, just wanted something to read and learn. Helped a lot during this course as things are now connecting up and making sense but yes, being completely new and learning from this course just in itself is hard. Especially with all the questions. Good luck man, the advice above is really helpful, even for me.
Philip Schultz
11,437 PointsPhilip Schultz
11,437 PointsThank you very much for your advice Jacob. I just got NetBeans working today so I will definitely start on a outside platform. I took a C programming course and my professor had us write the code as well. It helped me a lot to learn C. Should have thought about that. Thanks again, I will take this advice to heart.