What is the best way to start learning Java?

[Nightscout]

I've been looking at several sites such as codeacademy and such, but I'm having trouble finding a definitive consensus from people that actually know the language.

Facepunch, what do you recommend?

[Fishstick]

If you already know a language, Java isn't too difficult to pick up. The best way to learn would probably to just program something. Project Euler is good if you don't have any ideas.

If you don't already know a language, I would recommend something else for your first. Python perhaps. If you insist on Java, pick up a book and start learning the basics of programming.

[Darkwater]

Codecademy is pretty good I think. Never really used it myself (though I did take a quick look) but I've recommended it to some friends and they're doing pretty good now.

[editline]10th July 2014[/editline]

I wouldn't really recommend Python as a first language though. Sure it's a relatively easy language to learn, but it has certain things that might make learning other languages confusing. (like mandatory whitespace)

[Nightscout]

[QUOTE=Darkwater124;45350180]Codecademy is pretty good I think. Never really used it myself (though I did take a quick look) but I've recommended it to some friends and they're doing pretty good now.

[editline]10th July 2014[/editline]

I wouldn't really recommend Python as a first language though. Sure it's a relatively easy language to learn, but it has certain things that might make learning other languages confusing. (like mandatory whitespace)[/QUOTE]

I tried python before, and it just seemed too easy. I don't want to stunt my growth as far as program understanding goes.

[hugg]

I don't know how much Java you know, but try and make 'simple' applications or games in the console, even something simple as blackjack can be an interesting problem to solve.

If you're looking for a language resource I recommend Oracles Java documentation.

[supersnail11]

[QUOTE=Nightscout;45350276]I tried python before, and it just seemed too easy. I don't want to stunt my growth as far as program understanding goes.[/QUOTE]

See also: [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1406877[/url]

tl;dr:
[QUOTE=Jookia;45303373]If you aren't grateful for 'easy' languages, you haven't programmed long enough.[/QUOTE]

[DoritoBandit]

Greenfoot

[Tamschi]

[QUOTE=Nightscout;45350276]I tried python before, and it just seemed too easy. I don't want to stunt my growth as far as program understanding goes.[/QUOTE]

You probably will pick up more bad habits you'll have to unlearn with Java than with Python :v:

It's all fixable though so it really doesn't matter, as long as you don't stick to the things you learned in your first language everywhere a better alternative exists.

[Bayley_]

I learnt java from making Bukkit Plugins. It was a steady learning curve, then I went on to make a simple 2D platformer.