Should i sign up for Intro to Java and intermediate java?

Question

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PROGRAMMING IS...
Though I have heard it is important to take some course in programming so i decided to sign up for the Java course at my school. The teacher who teaches it is my Alg II/Trig H teacher. I am now AP Calculus BC and AP Stats. I am doing very well in these classes(98,99). I have very good keyboarding skills.

So what is Java like..what is programming...any preparational work needed?

BTW: Some of my fellow piers have taken the course have said the teacher is clear, and helpful. However she moves fast.

Thanks for your input

Answer 1

I would sign up for an into class , so that one can get comfortable with the basics and know the fundamentals well before going to the details ,and there are a lot of those .



Anyway, if u have spare time u can learn programming on ur own .There are some programming languages that people have found easier than Java , like Python



Well, u can do lots of programming stuff after school work if u can learn alone . U can start by learning the Python language, which is excellent for beginners



Download :

http://www.python.org/download/



Tutorials:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlK_f39eXCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_E7xWLvjxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcLVfP-afoI



http://docs.python.org/tut/



Python is easy, kool, and the best thing is that u can gain good programming habits and concepts with this language far more quickly than with most other languages .





Good luck !

Answer 2

If you have no programming experience whatsoever, which seems obvious since you have no idea what programming is anyway, you should take very basic programming courses to start you off. Java is not an easy language to start with, unless you have past programming experiences.



Look for an easier class to start off with; I suggest HTML or some other basic web development course to get you into the understanding and involvement in programming.

Answer 3

You don't need any calculus, you seem like you're smart but if you have no idea what programming is and are only taking it because you have heard it's important then take the intro course. If you're going into engineering (but not software engineering) you might need a programming course of two, but it's likely that they'll be on C++ not JAVA.

Answer 4

As you are good in Calculus/Stats.. You are doing programming while solving the calculus /Stat problems......

In software programming, engineers are doing the same using a predefined language framework..

If you look in to the first two chapters of any programming language ether c++ / JAVA u can find it . they are self explanatory..

Another thing is that choosing of language for your studies should be completly based on your current requirement.. IF JAVA... there is somany implementation requirements in Engineering as wellas web application / desktop application domains..

Its a nice to choice to choose java..

If you are looking for engineering side more. it is better to start C++ studies.. One advantage is that once you learned C++... You feel Java very easy to study



If you have programming base in any language or the basics of java.. it is better to join intermediate JAVA. else you have to choose basic java.



cheers

Answer 5

Be prepared to spend lots of time staring at the screen trying to puzzle out why the program you are sure is correct just doesn't seem to work correctly. You're going to learn good problem solving skills in your class.



Just don't get frustrated. The computer really isn't impressed by swearing and kicking.