Once you decide to step into the programming world, the first question which arises is, What language should I start to code?

I had the same dilemma and switched multiple languages before settling with Java. Now that you have chosen a language to start with, the next problem is how to start studying it and the contents we need to learn.

Hello readers! In this blog, I will pen down the roadmap or the order to start studying Java. Having an exemplary structure of topics to learn helps a lot in understanding the language.

The first section of the blog is about Basic Java and getting started with Java. The next one is about Data Structures and Algorithms in Java.

Basic Java or Java Foundation

The biggest mistake one can commit when starting into programming is jumping straight into complex topics or, in short words leaving behind the basics. Jumping topics or starting with complex ones forces you into hating the language and ultimately quitting it before you can learn anything.

Now, let's start with the flowchart to get started with java:

• First and foremost, I would recommend setting up your coding environment. There are many available like Eclipse, IntelliJ, Visual Studio Code. Chose any one of these you wish. For starters, you can also use numerous online java compilers. One of them I like is compiler by Tutorials-point. Here's a link to it if you wish to check it out.

Online Java Compiler by TutorialsPoint

• Hello World: The next thing you should study is variables, how to declare them, different data types in java, operators, and how to take input in java.

After you have done all these, solve the below-mentioned problem to understand the topics you have studied. Java Program To Find Average Marks

• Conditionals And Loops: This is a vital topic to study. If you don't have a good grasp of this topic, it becomes challenging to get hold of Java language. In this, you should study For, While loops. If, Else, Else-If conditionals. The best problems to solve in this topic are Pattern printing problems.

A link to few problems are: 30 Pattern Programs In Java

• Functions and Variables Scopes: Functions are one of the most important topics in any programming. They offer a lot of advantages like reducing code redundancy, readability. So, knowing how to use and write functions is very important. I would recommend giving it some time, and surely you will get the concepts. With functions, you need to study one more concept, and that is the scope of variables. It means what limitations do variable has in terms of their usability inside certain functions and classes. Read more on scopes of variables here: Variable Scopes
• Arrays, Searching and Sorting: An array is the most basic Data Structures, and the first one you must start with after covering the basics. They help further in other data structures. We can create most of them using Arrays. We can also solve specific String, Integer, and many other problems using an array on top of it. There is also one more important concept to learn in Arrays, and that is Sorting Algorithms. Sorting is asked in almost all the interviews and also helpful in reducing Time Complexities while solving problems.

Above mentioned topics is all you need to cover and study sincerely in the basics or start with the language. Next, I'll talk about in what order you must learn complex topics in Data Structures and Algorithms.

Data Structures and Algorithms In Java

• Recursion and Time Complexity : Before getting into any other topics, it is essential to understand recursion and how it works. Data Structures problems in Trees, Linked List, and even Arrays are easily solvable via recursion. Also, the number of code lines reduces by more than half on using recursion.

Time Complexity is a small but essential topic to study. It is crucial to have an idea of how much time the program is taking to execute. Many job exams set specific time limits in which the program must run, that is where Time Complexity comes in handy.

To understand more about Time Complexities click below:

Time Complexity

Now, I'll list out the other topics in the order of study you should follow.

1. Stacks & Queues
2. Linked List
3. Tree (Generic Tree, good for understanding concepts of trees)
4. Binary Tree
5. Binary Search Tree
6. Tries
7. HashMap and HashSets
8. Dynamic Programming
9. Graphs

Dynamic Programming and Graphs are very important to get into top tech companies.

This is all, I feel is the perfect roadmap to start learning Java. Also if you need any idea on sources to study or portals to practice problems I have mentioned it in my previous blog. Here's the link to it:

Path To Programming

I hope that this blog helps you in some way or the other. If you like my content and wish to read it first hand subscribe to my newsletter.

From A Developer, To A Developer