Is Java Hard To Learn?

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Here are some of the reasons that make Java hard to learn:

  • Java has a lengthy syntax.
  • The basics of Java are easy to learn, however, it is hard to master the language.
  • Java includes advanced concepts like multithreading.

Is Java Hard To Learn?

Java is a powerful programming language used for developing mobile and desktop applications, big data processing, embedded systems, and so on.

As it is used in many areas, Java has been consistently popular for years. According to the TIOBE index, Java continues to fall under the top 3 programming languages in 2022.

Java is considered a hard language to learn for beginners. But what makes Java hard?

In this blog, we will discuss if Java is indeed hard to learn, what makes it hard, and how much time it takes to master Java.

So continue reading this blog if you want to learn Java but don't know how difficult it is.


Is Java Hard to Learn for Beginners?

Java has a lengthy syntax compared to other languages. So it can be a little complicated for beginners.

To demonstrate this fact, let's write a "Hello, World!" program in Java and Python (a language with easy and short syntax).

Java Program

class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!"); 
    }
}

Python Program

print("Hello, World!")

Output

Hello, World!

Here, both codes give the same output. However, the Java code is longer than its Python counterpart. And while beginners can understand the Python code at a single glance, the same cannot be said for Java.

So, when compared to easier languages like Python, Java's syntax can be hard to get used to.

But besides the syntax, Java is not harder than other languages since the logic required to solve programming problems is the same in all languages.

Even beginners can learn Java if they seriously want to get into programming. This is because Java has the following advantages:

  • With Java, beginners can understand core programming concepts like object-oriented programming, multithreading, and many more.
  • Java is powerful and has a wide range of applications. So once you get used to Java, you will definitely be rewarded with its efficiency and versatility.

Java Difficulty: Influencing Factors

Let us now move on to the major factors that determine the difficulty level of Java:

Purpose of Learning

Your purpose of learning Java determines how difficult it can get to you. For instance, if you just want to cover the basics of programming, learning Java won't be very difficult for you.

But if you want to master Java and land a job, you will have to tackle complex topics like object-oriented and multithreading. This will make learning Java harder for you.

Prior Programming Experience

Learning Java can be much easier if you have prior programming knowledge. Since you already know the basic coding concepts, you only have to learn Java syntax.

Learning Approach

Your learning approach is another factor determining how difficult Java will get for you. Let's look at some common learning approaches:

  • Self-learning - You will be learning Java on your own without any guidance. This will make it quite difficult for you to learn complex concepts.

    And, since you don't have any strict deadlines, there is a high chance for you to procrastinate. In addition, you may give up learning Java when you get stuck, as there won't be anyone to help you.
  • Bootcamps - Bootcamps are intensive learning programs that usually last 3 to 6 months. Bootcamps usually hire professional programmers to guide and assist you. So learning through bootcamps is a better option to quickly gain Java skills.

    However, one disadvantage of bootcamps is that they cram too much learning into a few months.
  • Interactive Courses - Interactive courses are the recommended approach to learning Java.

    With most interactive courses, you get lessons, quizzes, and challenges. These features help to make sure you don't procrastinate while learning. It also makes the content digestible, and you can grasp complex concepts easily.

Time and Effort

The time and effort you invest in learning Java is the most important factor in your programming journey. The more time you invest, the easier Java will get.

As you progress into increasingly complex topics, you will need even more practice and consistency to master the concepts.


How Long Does It Take To Learn Java?

The time it takes to learn Java depends on many factors like how fast you can grasp new concepts, the time you can commit, prior programming knowledge, and many more.

According to a survey by Codegym, if you can commit around 2-3 hours per day and 5-7 days a week, you can learn Java in 8 weeks (if you are a complete beginner ).

Here's a summary of the survey:

Level Time To Learn Java Time To Learn Related Technologies To Land First Job
Beginner

Zero Experience
8 weeks 18 weeks
Average

Learned programming a little bit at school
5.5 weeks 14 weeks
Experienced

Proficient in one or more programming languages
1 week 4 weeks


This shows that to learn core Java concepts, a complete beginner can take up to 8 weeks. But to land a Java job, you need to learn related technologies for further 18 weeks.


How To Learn Java?

There are different ways to learn Java, like bootcamps, through mentors or professors, online resources, etc.

Here are some online learning platforms you can use to learn Java.

Interactive Java Courses

 

Out of all the approaches mentioned above, we believe that the best way to learn Java is by taking an interactive course. Interactive courses provide quizzes, challenges, and projects after each lesson to test your knowledge.

Furthermore, they provide a certificate at the end of the course to keep you motivated. If you don't know where to start, you can try our Java Interactive Course.

To learn more, visit How To Learn Java?


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes Java hard to learn?

The major factors that make Java hard are:

  • Java has a lengthy syntax compared to other languages.
  • The basics of Java are easy to learn, but it is hard to master the language. This makes for a steep learning curve.
  • Java has advanced concepts like multithreading and object-oriented programming, which can be difficult to understand for beginners.
2. Can I learn Java in 3 months?

Yes, you can learn Java in 3 months. If you are an absolute beginner, you can learn Java in 8 weeks if you can commit 5-7 days per week and 2-3 hours a day. However, the time required depends on your pace of learning, don't totally rely on the Codegym data.

3. Can I start learning Java as a beginner?

Yes, you can start learning Java as a beginner. Even though Java has a lengthy syntax, it is a highly recommended language for beginners as it helps them understand the core concepts of programming.

4. What can I do after learning Java?

You can either find yourself a programming job or try experimenting with Java projects.

Some of the Java projects that are worth trying are Snake Game, Brick Breaker Game, Currency Converter, Tic-Tac-Toe, Word Counter, etc.

And if you are applying for a job, here is a list of Java jobs you can look into:

  • Desktop Application Developer,
  • Mobile Application Developer,
  • Web Application Developer,
  • Video Game Developer,
  • IoT Application Developer, and many more.

To learn more, visit What Is Java Used For?