Best Resources For Learning Java Programming

Java is one of the most widely used programming languages out there. Stackify wrote a great article comparing the prominence of multiple programming languages and Java was one of the top. It’s a great introduction to object oriented languages, has easy to learn syntax, and is in high demand by employers. In other words, it’s one of the best places to start.

 

Since you’re searching for places to learn Java, you probably already know of its impact on millions of devices. So we’ll skip over the Java praising/history and get straight into the list of resources. We’ve organized them by type to make it easier to find one for your learning style.

 

Before we start, the first resource any Java developer will need is the Java documentation from Oracle. A lot of resource guides suggest all these courses and resource but forget the best place to get Java help, the people who maintain the language. For the rest of the resources, see the Table of Contents below to see the best resources for learning Java.

 

Best Resources To Learn Java

 

Table of Contents:

1. Full Courses
2. Individual Concepts (Text and Video)
3. Books
4. Communities
5. Blogs
6. Coding Practice/Challenges

 

Full Courses On Java

This list covers collections of material focused on learning Java in an organized and lesson based manner. Some near the end are going to be text-based and essentially well organized ebooks online. But with additions of slides and coding examples for practice.

 

Udacity

I highly recommend Udacity for pretty much any tech course. They offer great assistance and instruction from experts in their fields. Their course on Java is video based if that’s what you learn best from and each concept is explained in depth.

 

Coursera

This is actually a collection of courses relating to Java. If you’re looking for just Java, then course 2 and 3 out of the group are what you want.

 

Derek Banas

While it’s a youtube playlist and not on udemy or some other course offering site, Derek’s welcoming attitude and insightful experience is amazingly helpful. He breaks Java into easy to understand bits of information through a series of video lessons.

 

Codecademy

Another great full course. To me it doesn’t go as in depth as some, more of a gloss over of concepts.

 

Udemy – (Paid)

Udemy has it’s ups and downs with courses. Most of their development courses have been amazing though and there Java courses are no exception.

 

Princeton Text Based Course

While there aren’t videos that come with it, it’s a very organized text based course covering Java. Things are explained simply and they provide code examples of what they cover in the chapters.

 

Java2Blog – Text Based

Another text based course, it’s more of an easier to navigate online ebook. But also provides code examples and wonderful walk-throughs of material.

 

Udemy – (Paid)

We found another great Udemy course that’s actually a little cheaper. Secondly it’s pretty much all encompassing.

 

Coreservlets – Text Based

A little more in depth than the last few text based resources, it covers a myriad of topics within Java. It has teaching aids such as text, slides, and coding examples.

 

Individual Java Concepts

This list covers resources for random look ups of information and help with concepts.

 

Jenkov

Slightly more varied in it’s library of Java knowledge. Containing knowledge on cryptography, markup languages, and many more java applications.

 

Learn To Solve It

A list of programs and programming examples using Java.

 

Java-Examples

Even more Java programming examples!

 

Journal Dev

Journal Dev covers quite a few Java topics. A few examples are Java EE, core Java, and Java design patterns. A great resource providing numerous help in understanding Java.

 

Java 2s

A very well organized array of tutorials. They’re easy to follow and provide coding examples for each topic.

 

MkYong

A pretty random grouping of knowledge but still valuable.

 

Java Lessons

A great resources for quick look ups and Java learning

 

JavaTPoint

Programming examples for Java topics.

 

Java Programming Books

I recently went over a list of the best books to learn Java from. It would be pretty redundant to do it again, so please follow the link for the best Java book suggestions. They go over core Java and you honestly won’t need other books. However if you still want to look, I’ve linked to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

Java Communities

We found multiple online communities for Java enthusiasts. However, we only added active and helpful communities and groups.

 

Reddit/r/Java

Reddit is well known for it’s forums and sometimes passionate communities. At the time of writing this, r/Java had around 84,000 subscribers and was fairly active.

 

Stack Overflow

While Stack Overflow is more of a Q&A site and less of a community, we still added it as it’s a valuable resource for help from fellow Java programmers.

 

Code Ranch

Another forum based community for Java and fairly active.

 

Java Forums

A mix between stack overflow and code ranch. Plenty of Q&A and also community discussion on Java.

 

Dream In Code

Java and general programming help.

 

Java Blogs

Obviously it’s not necessary for you to read through blogs about Java to learn. These were added just in case you want some random reading on the subject. There isn’t much to say about each individual blog, so they’re listed out below and feel free to search through each.

 

• Java Code Geeks
• DZone
• Program Creek
• Javax0
• Frankel
• Marx Software
• Takipi
• Java Papers
• Infoq
• Java World

 

Coding Practice & Challenges

These are probably the most important resources out of all the ones we’ve listed. Reading and watching videos on programming in Java are great, but it’s hard to improve if you don’t practice. The following websites are places to do just that, practice Java.

 

Hacker Rank

I love Hacker Rank! Not only do they provide great programming challenges, but they do so in many different languages. Additionally they also add in video explanations of concepts to help learn.

 

Code Chef

They offer great practice examples and even competitions when you’re feeling up to it.

Top Coder

The challenges offered on Top Coder are like bounties. Solve code problems for money and not all are going to be Java based.

Coding Bat

Great short exercises for programming in Java and Python. The interface isn’t incredibly fancy, but I personally like the simplicity.

 

Coder Byte

A lot of difference challenges and tutorials!

 

Project Euler

Similar to coder byte but focused mainly on challenges. Having over 600 challenges to get your practice in.

Code Fights

A great competitive place for programmers and awesome challenges!