Top 5 Resources for Learning Java for Android

Learning to make Android apps is alot like saying " I wanna learn how to write novels in Spanish"  You cant just start writing novels in Spanish if Spanish  isn't your primary language. First you learn the language(java) then after alot of practice you start to catch on to the grammar(syntax) and start to make connections and form sentences. Finally you start to see the big picture of the language and with time your able to write with some sense of style so you can finally write that Spanish novel.(your Android app)

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Learning java for Android can seem overwhelming . You have to learn this completely foreign language before you can even start to get to the good stuff(working on apps) not only that but, the java language is HUGE!!! Where do you start? What do you need to know? whats irrelevant to you as a android developer?Below are 5 of my favorite resources for building a strong foundation in java.

I.Programming Methodology- Stanford

If your new to Java or development in general this is a priceless web gem.I would dare to say that Mehran Sahami is the best professor ive ever learned from. You can tell the man puts real work into his lessons and does all he can to make java more interesting than it really is. The course is great because it requires no prerequisite programming skills but, does require some level of patience(there is around 30 hours of content from start to finish separated into hour long lectures.It may not be the quickest way to learn java overnight but, your getting something more than someone telling you to cut this and paste this. Its called programming methodology because its aimed to teach you the top down mindset of a developer from the start.The entire course is online via youtube and also comes complete with full class documentation and homework assignments(dont skip them , they may be challenging, but you will thank me after you complete them.




II.MobileTutsPlus-Learning Java for Android

If you have development experience in another language and just need a crash course in the java for android this is the tutorial series for you. This series gets right to the meat and potato's with little to no filler.Another thing I really like about this tut series is it mixes in what they call "challenges" where they ask you to do something based on what youve learned in the previous tutorials without just giving you the answer. This is great because it makes what your reading stick to you.

III.The Java Trails-A Reliable Foundation

Ahh the good ol' java trails . Java trails aim to be the master resource for learning java by oracle(the company that owns java) Thinking back what really stuck to me from these tutorials was a overall understanding of OOP. There is literally 1000s of pages on literally everything you could ever want to know about java around here but, in my personal opinion they can be a little dry. Its a good tutorial series to have bookmarked if you want to learn about something specific but, I wouldn't spend weeks trying to read over them from start to finish. There is not enough actual tutorials and things will start to blend together in your mind if your not actually practicing what your learning about.




IV.Head First Java-Java for the right brained ADHD Developer 

Head first is a unique book series that accounts for the way the human brain learns best. The books are easy to read and packed with humor, pictures and analogy's that make sense to those of us who don't think in 1's and 0's naturally.The downside is this is not a free series unless your lucky enough to know a pirate....and did i mention torrents are illegal ( I hope someone got that)

IV.TheNewBoston-Youtube's Java Juggernaut

If youve typed in "Java Tutorials" on youtube you've probably heard my boy Bucky keeping it real and spitting knowledge to all you java newbs out there.This guy is Java Juggernaut. His beginner series alone has 87 videos and there all quality. If that wasn't enough he also did a intermediate series that probably has another 80(I haven't finished them all yet myself) This guy has the learning java via youtube market under lock and key and hes one guy doing this stuff from home!!! His tutorials are short(very few exceeding 10 minutes), sweet and casual which makes them easy on the ears.I give big props to this guy and you should to.If you watch 10 or more of these tutorials I would highly recommend donating a few buck's to encourage people to do stuff like this out of the kindness of there hearts.