I have no prior programming experience (only basic HTML and for the statistical software STATA).

Any tips?

Thanks!

to answer your question, buy a book. if you had prior programming experience, then you could use online sources to just learn syntax, but that doesn't really apply here.

i suggest asking yourself a few questions first:
1) why java?
2) what do you want to be able to do in java? comfortable write syntax? or something more?
3) what is your timeline?
4) why do you want to learn programming at all?

Im in the same boat as pedrots, I have been watching a few videos on python.

I have zero programming exp, zero html experience nothing. Im computer savvy tho.

1; Why java? Not sure where to start...What would u recommend on first language to learn? Ill start anywhere I need too.
2; No idea, Im interested in going back to school for IT and learning these now can help alot.
3; no timeline really
4; I love computers, want to know more

Python.

edit: I say this as someone who writes Java code all fucking day for work. Learn Python and don't bother with Java unless you have to.

This post was edited by rockonkenshin on Oct 10 2012 08:08am

o.O

I code in Java a majority of the time, and prefer it to Python or C++, especially given the size of the codebase I deal with. It's not a great language to start with compared to Python, but it's definitely one of the most maintainable languages out there.

if you are truly interested in learning java and want to know why i believe you should learn java as a first language, pm me. i can set up an online class for you week by week. free, but donations gladly accepted

It's not maintainable for any reason really related to the language. It's maintainable because the toolchain that developed around it is excellent. Java as a language is fine but I wouldn't have bothered to learn it, beginner or not, unless I had to for work. It's verbose, it lacks in many features more modern languages have, has a crappy system of generics and you have to deal with all manner of weird legacy junk in the API.

I'd suggest starting on python because it's a good language to learn the basics really quickly and easily understand it (it's very English like (using words like in, and, or, print, range, min, max and others that are easily understood. Sometimes it felt like I was just typing. It also has a plethora of useful built in operations.

However, I do like writing Java. It's verbose and sometimes a pain in the ass, but it has a WONDERFUL API. It's documentation is superb and helps with understanding. It's also a widely used language in businesses, so it's almost mandatory to have some Java experience (imo).

I have to learn java for school, but would learning C++ be a better language to learn?