Think you need to be a Computer Science student to learn computer language like Java? Think again.
With the vast amount of resources available online right now, you can pick up computer programming from the comfort of your own home.
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Is Learning Java Hard or Even Impossible?
For those interested in developing some computer programming skills, learning Java is the best way to start. ThoughtCo‘s article o ‘What is Java?’ details that it was first developed in the ’90s and has since been touted as one of the easiest computer programming languages to master. It traces its origins from C++, another programming language that, although still widely used, can be a bit too complex for beginners.
Moreover, Java is also an extremely secure language, and was built to work across different kinds of operating platforms. This means that whatever skills you pick up while learning Java can be applied to almost any field and project you can think of — in other words, you’re not locked down to just working on macOS, Windows, or Linux systems.
How Can You Learn Java?
Whether you learn through blog posts or videos, the accessibility of Java means that there are a lot of tutorials available online for you to work with. For instance, a previous post curating top tech blogs here on Techi Signals includes a few sites dedicated to all things Java. Although you might not have the time to become a full-fledged computer programmer learning on your own, blogs and sites such as the ones recommended ensure that you have at least some working knowledge of the language to apply to your work.
What Does Learning Java Mean for Your Career?
It’s also important to note that having Java skills as part of your resume increases your market value, especially if you work in the tech sector. Yoss, a platform for freelance Java developers and other tech professionals, outlines that most developers combine their Java knowledge with other software skills like C++ and SQL. This can be especially valuable. As most businesses shift to cloud operations, for instance, familiarity with Java processes allows you to better understand how cloud applications work and help you be more efficient in your job — even if you aren’t a network administrator.
Today, Java continues to be a heavy player in tech development. Speaking to Application Development Trends Magazine, Oracle VP of product management Siddhartha Agarwal lists server-less functions, a process that can be developed through Java, as the next big trend in computing. This refers to training a machine to execute a program but only for as long as that program is needed, thus minimizing the need for server infrastructure.
Not Just A Computer Programming Skill
Last but not least, it’s common knowledge that learning a language can teach you soft skills, and computer programming languages are no exception. Java was built around the principle of object-oriented programming, which focuses on manipulating and storing data through objects. If you were to write a Java application that mimics a toy car, for instance, you’d need to imagine a toy car and break it down to its components: what it’s made up of, what each part does, and how you can combine these different parts to create new functions.
This methodological way of thinking proves beneficial in many tech-related jobs, where your work may require troubleshooting, building a program, or updating systems. And for those working outside of tech, this analytical way of thinking can only help you be more critical and thorough, whatever your work entails.