Taking your first steps into programming or even learning a new programming language can be scary. It is OK. You can do this. Just take one step at a time.
- Understanding the Jargon
- Digging Deeper
- Local Computer
- Learning How to Build Java Applications
- Learning How to Program / Unit Test in Java
- Learning How to Use Version Control
Understanding the Jargon
Every industry has jargon (or technical speak) that is used within that community. Don’t let it intimidated you. The same may also happen within a company, there will be teams or software systems that are known by acronyms or special names. It is OK not to recognize all of these right away. I have created a Jargon Buster for the generic technical speak I think may appear on this site’s posts/pages. I will try to keep it updated as new content is added.
There is a link to the Jargon Buster in the upper right corner of each page / post for easy reference.
Digging Deeper
Just like in the upper-right corner of this page, there is a box on the right hand side with a green heart. Many of the posts on this site will have similar links to reference sites if you would like to explore a topic further.
For step-by-step tutorial posts, one of those links will be to example code, with all of the steps in that post completed.
Local Computer
You will need access to a computer where you can do the programming. We will call this your local or local machine. It can be a desktop (one that sits on your desk or the floor with a monitor attached) or a laptop (one you can close and put in a backpack). Either will work. It could be an Apple brand, one running Unix / Linux, or it could run Windows as its basic operating system. Each will look and act a little differently, but high level languages, such as Java work in all of these environments and hide these details from the developer for the most part.
These posts talk about local setup you will need for programming. Please start with them:
Learning How to Build Java Applications
See Maven Builds
Learning How to Program / Unit Test in Java
See Java 101.
Learning How to Use Version Control
See Git 101
Coding Chica 