I know the comic above is cut off, but that little segment really fits 😂
It's been awhile since my last update. I'm still plugging away and doing ...
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Hi Drew, I also started to code when I was 42. Did that same course by Tim, got my java OCA, landed a job as developer a year later. And four years later still working as a java developer. I can say it was the best decision I ever made! Enjoying every day! My advice: Think of an own project, build a nice app with Spring framework, like a website or API and keep up the good work :)
This is really encouraging. Do you think the OCA helped? I've debated whether or not to work on that. I have some ideas for some things to build once I get some more knowledge under my belt. A couple small things, and a couple I suspect will be larger projects. I'll probably start with the small stuff first :)
If you really aspire a job in software development, the certification will show you have basic knowledge of java. I don't know how it's in your country, but because of the current shortage in IT, there are various secondment agencies that provide education to those willing to learn programming. Have a look around and see if you can enter such a program. They will help you land your first job as well.
I will take a look around. I know we have temp agencies, and recruiters, of course. We have bootcamps now that help land jobs, but they want a part of your first year or two income. I thought about doing one of those, but as the sole income earner they wont fit in my schedule.
Sounds good Drew and also emphasizing the point that programming is 90% problem solving and logic and 10% (if that!) The language or tech that you are using. I would also suggest that instead of spending too much time learning Java fx I would suggest you look at other graphical or front end tech for the visuals. I say this because in all my work in major blues cup companies very few (if any) use java for graphical user interfaces. You may be better served by looking at angular, react or bootstrap. Might be better time well spent and introduce you to other technologies.
That's a fair point. I'm familiar with bootstrap (my pathetic website is currently built with that), so I have that going for me at least. I've been toggling between JavaFX and Android development next, and I already have Tim's java course. I tried to run the android emulator on my current laptop and it chugged, so I guess I'll be needed an upgrade soon. Which do you work with more between react and angular?
Hi Drew, I have done a little work with Angular and really like it however in discussion with many people who I have worked with it seems most favour react and prefer it as from what I hear Angular can get a little messy and difficult to maintsin and update. I have done alittle work with react and quite like that too :-)
I think in the future if I am to do any front end work it would be with react.
At your stage now I would concentrate on your java and understanding the Object Oriented principles. Especially the use of interfaces although it is important to have a good knowledge of the language itself the important thing is to know the principles behind it, this will always be useful going forward especially when you start looking at other languages (such as JavaScript) that do not impose to many restrictions on how you write your code.
A good working knowledge of collections and generics and an understanding of inner classes should suffice as far as the technical part of the language. Then moving on to enterprise java would be very useful, understanding how to connect to databases using jdbc then moving on to looking at things like the jpa, jms and creating rest services.
Currently most organisations are moving on to using Spring Boot so that could be a good aim for you further out. Once you have tried that then I would look at the front end and how to hook up any type of front end (because you can) to a rest service using ajax would stand you in good stead and give you an idea with regards to full stack development and how some of the large organisations put their systems together.
I hope that helps and I know it's a lot but just remember it's a journey and take it step by step and if I can be of any help drop me a line.
:-)
I really appreciate the information. It's definitely difficult at this stage to visualize how things hook up in the early stages, but I know I'll get there eventually. I'm committed to learning this thoroughly, I'd love to hit you back later as I go. I have a RL friend who works as a Java developer, but he really has no interest in programming so it's nice to talk to people who enjoy it.
Great job Drew. I like how you are taking things methodically and project based. This reinforces what you are learning in your lessons. I also like the fact that you are being patient, yet challenging yourself at the same time. I hope you continue on this journey with this same approach because it will most likely yield great results. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Michael. Took me awhile to get to the point where I was patient, lol. I used to hop around a lot but realized I wasn't learning much that way. All the Udemy courses look so exciting! :D
Puzzling out loud is great! Though it tends to make my coworkers ask if I'm okay 😂
I definitely only do it when no-one is around 😂
Great stuff
Thank you :)
Your idea of not using Google is pretty good. I'd recommend you find a good reference guide book for Java, if you choose to stick to it. It helped me a lot on the beginning when Google wasn't a thing.
Thanks, I'm actually searching for a good reference book. Now. Humble bundle has Java in a Nutshell on it, I'm thinking of picking it up. Any others you would recommend?
Stick at it Drew, best of luck 👍
Thank you Matt. I appreciate it. I definitely plan on being here for the long haul 🙂