Is Java Easy to Learn for Beginners?

Last Updated: December 17, 2021 References

If you're new to the world of programming and looking for a language to start with, Java is one of the best (and easiest) languages to learn. Because it's one of the most popular and common object-oriented programming languages, there are tons of Java books, videos, and other free resources for rookie coders. Whether you want to learn Java free through tutorials and websites or try a college program or bootcamp, you can learn Java, even if you've never written a line of code at all!

1

Java is one of the easiest languages to learn.

Java was originally modeled after the C and C++ programming languages, but designed to be much simpler to use. In fact, if you already know C or C++, learning Java will be incredibly easy.^{[1]
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Research source} But don't let that discourage you if you're brand new to programming. Because Java's syntax is similar to human language, that makes Java coding pretty intuitive—even for beginners with no coding experience. Java is widely considered one of the easiest languages to learn, along with Python, Ruby, and JavaScript.^{[2]
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- Even kids can learn Java! Oracle, the creators of Java, even hosted a Java fair for kids who want to learn to develop video games.^{[3]
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  Research source} But developers do recommend that kids should start with more child-friendly beginner's languages like Scratch or Alice.

2

A beginner can learn the basics of Java in a few months.

The more time you put into studying Java, the faster you will learn to code. While you won't be able to master Java in a few days—or even in a few weeks—you can still learn Java easily with practice and dedication.
- If you invest about 3 hours a day to studying and practicing Java coding, you can have a solid understanding of Java fundamentals after 2 to 3 weeks.^{[4]
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- You'll need to know more than just the basics to become a Java developer—it will usually take at least a year, if not two years, to become a skilled developer with wide career options.^{[5]
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3

Java is easy to learn, but not the easiest to learn.

If you want to dip your toes into coding, you might want to start with a simpler language. Java is a fantastic language to start with, and a great choice if you want to develop games and apps for computers, phones and tablets.
- If you just want to learn how to code in general and just want to start with something easy, you might want to try something else first. Learning Java first will give you an awesome foundation for learning other languages, but starting with a simpler language could be valuable for your journey to Java development.

4

Start with HTML and CSS if you want to make websites.

You won't be able to develop a website without some knowledge of these markup languages. While they aren't technically programming languages, HTML and CSS are the easiest way to experiment with coding, and learning them will help you understand things like syntax and structure, which is good foundation for Java.

5

Python is another popular object-oriented programming language.

Python code is even more human-like than Java code. It's considered one of the easiest languages to learn, and you can accomplish some of the same things in Java using Python is way fewer lines of code. Python is a great language to learn if you want to pursue data science, create algorithms, and build for the web.

6

JavaScript is not the same as Java.

JavaScript is designed to run applications in a web browser like Chrome or Safari. Unlike Java, JavaScript is a scripting language, which means it doesn't need to be compiled to run. If you're hoping to develop for the web rather than creating apps or enterprise-level development, check out JavaScript.

7

You can teach yourself Java.

Check out free Java tutorial videos and courses. Because Java is one of the most popular programming languages, there's no shortage of online resources geared toward teaching people how to code. There are Java tutorials, code examples, video lessons, and instructional content for every learning style.
- Oracle offers its Java Explorer course (7 hours and 30 minutes), which will teach you the basics of variables, classes, objects, loops, arrays, and decision constructs, for free.^{[6]
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  Research source} You can also find Oracle's official Java tutorials at https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/jdtt-jsp.html.
- Sites like Udemy, Codeacademy, Coursera, Codegym, and edX all have free (and paid) Java courses that allow you to learn at your own pace. Some of the more official courses even count for college credits and can help you earn certifications.
- If you like playing games, you can learn Java through gameplay! Games like Robocode, Codewars, Codemonkey, and Elevator Saga are all games designed to teach players how to code.

8

A coding bootcamp can give you a jumpstart.

If learning fast is important, a Java bootcamp could be the way to go. Bootcamps are short-term intensive learning experiences designed to immerse you in coding as quickly as possible. Think of attending a Java coding bootcamp like learning a foreign language in an immersion program in another country. For a few weeks or months (depending on the length of the program), you'll dedicate all of your time to learning the language. Once the bootcamp is complete, you'll have a working knowledge of Java—maybe even enough to seek out a position as a junior developer, although there will still be plenty to learn.
- Bootcamps are typically cheaper than college programs, but can still cost several thousands of dollars.^{[7]
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- The average length of a Java coding bootcamp is 12 weeks, or about 3 months.^{[8]
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  Research source} Bootcamps that only last a week or two won't give you enough knowledge to gain an entry-level job.
- Most bootcamps take place in person, but there are also online bootcamps.

9

Java has an active, friendly community.

You're not in this alone. Whether you choose to teach yourself Java or go the official route, the online Java community will be a valuable resource as you learn. If you have a question, need some Java advice, or just want to network with other newbies learning Java like you, there are several communities to check out:
- Reddit has two active Java-focused subreddits—/r/learnjava and r/javahelp.
- Oracle's official Java forum is where you'll find millions of Java developers of various levels discussing all topics related to Java. Since this forum is run by the creators of Java, this is where you'll find the true pros.^{[9]
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  Research source} Check out the forum at https://community.oracle.com/community/java.
- StackOverflow is a tech-focused forum filled with coders of all levels. Visit https://www.stackoverflow.com and search for java to see what people are talking about.
- JavaRanch is a beginners-focused Java forum that's worth a visit. Check them out at https://javaranch.com.
- For live help, look for Java channels on chat apps like Discord and Telegram.