Category: Programming

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Have you ever sat at your computer, stared into the dark abyss so long that within it you begin to see the reflection of your reflection, and after a few more moments, thought to yourself” I have no idea what I’m doing”?

If you said “no” and this is because well, you don’t have any experience writing a program, but you are curious about being a programmer, then oh boy. Fun ahead.

To those of you who said “yes,” I would like to extend a warm welcome to you into the “Programmer’s Block Club” as this is just as common as writer’s block. It’s infuriating when you watch a show or a movie with a programmer just coding away line after line from the start.

Most of your time is spent staring into the void of nothingness before anything happens. Sounds bleak? It is.

However, once you identify your target, this tends to become a rewarding experience because the toughest part about programming is figuring out what you want it to do in the first place.

Now, since programming is a large scope, there are too many languages to cover. For sake of all that’s holy (or probably unholy), we are going to use Java as a tool for our possible programmer… which is you.

So, as per usual, we are going to be going over what Java is, who and what uses it, how our world is shaped by it, and finally whether can you get in the field without a put-you-in-debt degree.

Not Your StarBizzy

Looking at the logo of Java, you wouldn’t be wrong in your thought of coffee. I mean it does look like a cup of coffee and well caffeine is the sweet brown cocaine we jones for to start our day aside from whatever else your vise is.

What’s mine, you ask? Good question, it’s Jameson Black Barrel. Simple and classy, I mean coffee isn’t coffee unless you add some of that good ole “daddy thinking juice”.

What is Java?

Java (not to be confused with JavaScript) is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. It is a general-purpose programming language intended to let programmers write once and run anywhere (WORA) meaning that compiled Java code can run on all platforms that support Java without the need to recompile.

What does all this mean?

This breaks down to, being readable by humans (high-level), creating a data type defined by the user (class-based), and classes of data types linked with the functions with which they’re associated (object-oriented). Compile meaning translation to machine language for use.

Now, let’s say, you want to run a simple program. We’ll call it build-a-bear-that-won’t-terrify-your-children, the box where you place the bear is the environment in which you develop the bear, the material stuffed within the bear is your data type, the name (class) of your bear we’ll say is “Grizzly” which can be used for the creation of another bear down the line, and the voice of said bear is a function.

Putting all these together gives you a bear that your children will cherish until they become of age. Where in which they’ll forget the bear and tell you to shove it because they’re at the phase where they no longer want to be seen with you anymore, ah… that good ole teen angst.

A fun little thing to note is Java’s original name was “Oak”. Could you imagine Starbucks grounding trees in your coffee?

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Use for what?

What uses Java, well the real question is what does not use Java? Most (if not all) laptops, data centers, gaming consoles, and cell phones use this programming language.

Nine times out of ten, your place of employment (if you still have one, covid did a number I know) should’ve updated their operating system to a later version instead of something installed in the 90s.

They label it “legacy” to sound as if it’s supposed to get better with age when in reality is code for “we are old as f***, and we don’t like change”. Yes, said mentioned place runs Java.

Being able to WORA (and no not WORM, that’s a virus) makes Java a programming language many developers use to create applications.

Have you ever gone into a Target while wandering around and heard a god-awful chime go off?

Java runs in an application for that sound to be produced. The sound is loud, good luck to any parent to grab something quickly without waking up their sleeping newborn. One ear of that sound and it’s GG (Good Game) parents… you lose.  

Shaping Our World

Having the ability to write simple code helps alleviate programmers from struggling with arithmetic errors and lessens memory constraints.

So, this means a lot of programmers that would be standing on top of a tall building staring into the void waiting for a strong gust of wind can take a step back because fixing bugs is easier to deal with and not have to worry as much about space.

Banks and other financial institutions have Java running on their systems for safety and productivity.

Mobile applications that are created using Java include some popular ones like Twitter, Netflix, and Spotify to name a few.

It’s hard to go somewhere that isn’t using this language.

Would or Wood Not

So, you’re probably thinking programming is something that you may find interesting, and I might take my hand at learning Java.

Well, here are some things to note.

Traditionally, places of employment are going to require you have a degree in computer science. You can beat this out by attending meetups and linking up with people who are going to be your peers.

Build a portfolio of small programs you’ve created by yourself or with others. Working with others is better because it shows you can operate within a team.

A Java developer’s yearly salary can range from $57k – $140k depending on your residing state and level of experience.

What you are going to need are a GitHub account, Stack Overflow, and a lot of patience. Companies will bring you in for a tech interview and before the interview, will have you take a programming assignment; therefore, you should have an account and frequently visit Hacker Rank as this will help you become a better programmer.

Programming is trial and error. 

Made it this far and found this to be entertaining? Then a big thanks to you and please show your support by cracking a like, scripting a comment, or plug-in to follow.

Think Java might be a programming language you might like?

Script a comment below about your experience learning a programming language.

Also, if you liked this and were interested in another programming language then check out my script on Rust.