Learn JAVA and get an edge over others

This post is an attempt to clarify basic questions about java to beginners. No question is a silly question.

1. Why JAVA?
If you aspire to become a software engineer, learning java is the best thing that you can do. Knowledge in JAVA could fetch you a software job. Or if you already are working in a software company, it would give you an edge over others. It would help new joinees clear the initial training programmes conducted at the company.
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2. What is JAVA?
It is a programming language used for developing web-based and stand-alone applications. You can think of it as a tool to develop all the graphical user stuff like buttons, drop downs and menus and interactive stuff on the web. It is a hot technology that is very much in demand in the current IT market. You must have noticed internet pages ending with .jsp . They are Java Server Pages. So next time when you see jsp on page address, you know that the website uses JAVA technology.
Java transformed the web and created waves. It came to existance in 1995. It was made to support embedded systems. It was not succesful in embedded systems but it attracted a growing World wide web. You must have heard some rumours that JAVA may die soon, but owing to its features and object oriented concepts, JAVA is here to stay.
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3. What are the versions of JAVA, Which one of them should I learn?
Java Standard EditionJava Enterprise EditionJava Mobile EditionJava FX
As a beginner you are concerned only about JAVA standard edition. Even in that there are many versions such as
J2SE 6.0
J2SE 5.0
J2SE 1.4.2
J2SE 1.3.1

J2SE 6.0 is the latest one, but as a beginner I would recommend you to start with J2SE 1.4.2 which is the most widely used one.
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4. How do I learn JAVA?
I recommend you to join a long term Sun certified computer institute that teaches Java (NIIT /SSI if you are in india). For all those wondering what is Sun doing here, Sun Microsystems is the organisation behind Java platform. They develop Java and put it on web for free download. They earn through the money that comes from certification courses and training. Sun Microsystems offers many certification courses. I will tell in-detail about certifications in the coming questions.
You can even find introduction of JAVA in Sun Microsystems site, which you can easily find by googling, that would only help your learning.
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5. Any extra material to learn JAVA better?
If you wish to supplement your knowledge that you get from a training institute “after” finishing Core JAVA course, you can read “Thinking in JAVA by Bruce eckel” . This book is NOT for beginners. If you are a beginner, try “Head First Java, Your Brain on Java – A Learner’s Guide” by Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra
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6. How many days would I need to learn JAVA?
In order to learn the basics of Core Java you would require 3 months and if you take a short term course, I believe it would take 3 weeks to grasp the concepts. If you wish to learn and get SCJP(Sun Certified Java Professional) certification you will need 3-6 months of study and practice.
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7. What should I have already known before learning JAVA?
You should know well any of the procedural programming lanugages like C language. Acquaintance with Control statements, Syntax of statements and expressions, Scope rules, Functions, call by value, data types in C language is a must.
Knowledge of C++ is a great plus, not mandatory though. In C++, acquaintance with object oriented programming concepts, classes, Inheritance, Overloading concepts would help you learn Java better.
Java is an object oriented language and shares a few similarities with C++. Java is all about classes and objects. So good knowledge of object oriented concepts would help you learn Java a lot quicker.
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8. Which topics should I focus on in JAVA 2 Special Edition?
Object Oriented conepts: Classes and objects, Interfaces, Inheritance, Abstract classes, access modifiers, data types, variables, static variables, Java Beans naming standards, packages, invoking and using javac compiler, debugging java code, Exceptions, Arrays, Constructors, overloading, String class, Input/Output streams, AWT, basics of swings, applets, collection classes and utilities.
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9. What are Certifications in JAVA?
Certifications are special online tests conducted by the companies owning any technology. This certifications are words of promise that beholder of that certification would have sound knowledge in that technology. Sun certifications are highly valued in software organisations.

To name few of certifications that Sun MicroSystems has to offer:
SCJA(Sun Certified JAVA Associate)
SCJP(Sun Certified JAVA Programmer)
SCJD(Sun Certified JAVA Developer)

SCJA is too basic and is not valued as much as SCJP. I recommend a beginner to aim for SCJP. SCJD is advanced certification and it is not for beginners. For SCJD you require to have SCJP certification. Few years of experience would make you fit for SCJD.
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10. How to prepare for SCJP(Sun Certified JAVA professional) certification?
After finishing Core java course in a good computer training institute. Ideally with 3 months of practise and “Sun Certified Java Programmer for JAVA 5 by Kathy sierra and Berty Bates” would be the best book in the market to achieve your goal.
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11. What is J2EE now?
It is continuation of J2SE . J2EE is used for preparing server pages where as J2SE is used for preparing client pages and applications. There is Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD)) certification for J2EE. However you need to be an SCJP before you can write SCWCD.
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12. More details about SCJP:

SCJP has currently three options : SCJP 6, SCJP 1.5 and SCJP 1.4. SCJP 6 is the latest one added for testing JAVA version 6, I would recommend SCJP 1.5 as java version 6 is very new one, so it may be tough to get coaching or material on that test. There are upgrade exams for those people who wish to upgrade their certification. For example let us say Mr.XYZ is a certified SCJP 1.4 programmer. He wishes to get SCJP 1.5 he need pay as much required for SCJP 1.5. Fee would be less, apart from that syllabus would be less.

Details of Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 5.0 (CX-310-055) are as follows:

Delivered at: Authorized Worldwide Prometric Testing Centers (http://www.prometric.com/)
Exam type: Multiple choice and drag and drop
Number of questions: 72
Pass score: 59% (43 of 72 questions)
Time limit: 175 minutes
Cost: 200$ (may change see below link for latest price) http://www.sun.com/training/catalog/courses/CX-310-055.xml
In Indian rupees around 4000. May vary from place to place within India. You can even get discount in some centers.
Syllabus/Objectives for SCJP 1.5 is available at http://www.sun.com/training/catalog/courses/CX-310-055.xmlAll the best! Help me improve this article. Feel free to comment or mail me at j_sridharr(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in
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About the Author: Sridhar Jammalamadaka is the Editor of Interview Mantra. He's a typically non-typical Software Engineer from Pune, India. He likes entrepreneurship, web technologies and Micro Controller programming. He enjoys playing cricket and piano (but rarely does these activities). Through this website, he wishes to gather a large community of aspiring engineers, entrepreneurs and professionals from all parts of the globe. You can connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/sridhar.j