Qubit Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 So now that AP Computer Science Exam is coming around next Thursday, my learning in class is coming to an end. I would say I know all the course work and criteria really well. We ended at recursion (I don't know why) and classes/subclasses/inheritance/abstract stuff. I want to continue learning before I head of to college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall for Computer Science. What do you think I can do you continue learning, anything you would recommend for me like a certain book? My friend also emailed me today who is in the class with me, told me how he interned at a place with full work hours, and how they are looking for more java programmers so he reached out to me and asked if I was interested. What do you guys think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solace Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 the internet is the best place to learn about everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yggdrasil Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 the internet is the best place to learn about everything Very true. I've learned many things from research on the internet. ^.^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaq Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Make scripts or develop a client, best ways to learn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB360 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Start your own projects or continue abandoned projects. One thing I learned from uni is that they don't teach you enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Scripts Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 In my experience, the best way to learn is hands on experience. Just think of useful applications or other java projects you would be interested in creating, and make them. It is a very rewarding experience to complete a project or application without the use of google or other references as well. Hope this helps a little, and goodluck man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solace Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Very true. I've learned many things from research on the internet. ^.^ yes, u can see many people IRL that dont know many things that maybe for u are just normal knowledge, like google specific sites, terms etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixthissite Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) "In order to learn you must desire to learn, and in so desiring not be satisfied with what you already incline to think" - Charles Peirce Knowledge derives from answers, which derives from questions, which derive from interest. To learn, you must wonder and ask questions. Forcing knowledge can lead to rushing. This results in gaps. If you do not have interest in it, do not force yourself to learn it. Make sure you are familiar with everything you currently think you know. There are TONS of programming pitfalls which you must be aware of when working on the field. Look for subjects that actually interest you. Many things are tied together; learning one aspect could lead you into learning another. If you have interest, you will ask more questions. Try not to make learning a chore. Observe the thoughts of other great developers. Joshua Bloch is one of my favorite developers, although the list of developers I actually follow is rediculous. They could say something that may inspire you to think in a different, more innovative way. A quote that really got to me: "An API should not only be easy to use, but hard to misuse" Don't limit yourself to one language. A lot of new languages are arising, bringing along a lot of innovation and long awaited features. Getting familiar with other language can really strengthen your overall view on programming. You'll find a lot of flaws in other languages, making you reconsider what you think is best for certain situations. Meet other programmers and exchange code. This is always a great way to learn new things. Although beware; if you don't do indepenedent research on what you learn from your partner's code, you could gain bad habits. Search and research. Some neat Java books (will be adding more; it's been a while since I've read any programming books ): Effective Java Code Complete Filthy Rich Clients Refactoring Java Puzzlers Hardcore Java Inmates Are Running The Asylum Edited May 1, 2015 by fixthissite 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qubit Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 "In order to learn you must desire to learn, and in so desiring not be satisfied with what you already incline to think" - Charles Peirce Knowledge derives from answers, which derives from questions, which derive from interest. To learn, you must wonder and ask questions. Forcing knowledge can lead to rushing. This results in gaps. If you do not have interest in it, do not force yourself to learn it. Make sure you are familiar with everything you currently think you know. There are TONS of programming pitfalls which you must be aware of when working on the field. Look for subjects that actually interest you. Many things are tied together; learning one aspect could lead you into learning another. If you have interest, you will ask more questions. Try not to make learning a chore. Observe the thoughts of other great developers. Joshua Bloch is one of my favorite developers, although the list of developers I actually follow is rediculous. They could say something that may inspire you to think in a different, more innovative way. A quote that really got to me: "An API should not only be easy to use, but hard to misuse" Don't limit yourself to one language. A lot of new languages are arising, bringing along a lot of innovation and long awaited features. Getting familiar with other language can really strengthen your overall view on programming. You'll find a lot of flaws in other languages, making you reconsider what you think is best for certain situations. Meet other programmers and exchange code. This is always a great way to learn new things. Although beware; if you don't do indepenedent research on what you learn from your partner's code, you could gain bad habits. Search and research. Some neat Java books (will be adding more; it's been a while since I've read any programming books ): Effective Java Code Complete Filthy Rich Clients Refactoring Java Puzzlers Hardcore Java Inmates Are Running The Asylum thanks for the info, def most helpful post yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamezzz Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 "Don't limit yourself to one language."I cannot emphasize this enough. There are plenty of amazing free online courses (MOOCs):Machine learning: https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning (requirements: basic matlab programming, basic linear algebra)Other AI stuff with pathfinding etc: https://www.edx.org/course/artificial-intelligence-uc-berkeleyx-cs188-1x-0#! (took this course a while ago, highly recommend it)Crypto: https://www.coursera.org/course/crypto (might be too advanced, you do need some number theory to understand RSA and other algorithms) Many more are listed here: https://www.class-central.com/subject/cs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lare96 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Write your own Java programs. I started with Runescape servers. You'll learn best through hands on experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) In my opinion, one of the better ways to learn, and the most fun way to learn, is by creating. What this means to me is to not just have a goal of learning a language, but rather leveraging the technology to make a cool project. Even better, think of a cool project and then pick the technologies that will help you make it and learn those. Looking further into the future, in this industry having a few awesome projects listed on your resume will be a great help in getting interviews. As previously mentioned, if you're not having fun it's okay to take a break. I find I will often abandon projects for months at a time due to losing interest only to come back and finish them later. Enjoy learning by learning what you enjoy. Edited May 2, 2015 by Eliot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
