Hey guy I've become Interested in Learning a Little bit of Java and potentially To make a Minecraft mod. Do you guys know a good place online to learn Java? preferably free of charge. and also What is your Favorite IDE for Java also free. thank you for telling me in advance!
IntelliJ IDEA is arguably the best IDE. But NetBeans is easier to use I think. However, if you are going to make a Forge mod, you will have to use either Eclipse or IDEA. Well, you don't really have to, but otherwise you'd have to figure out how to set it up all yourself.
I would suggest IntelliJ IDEA since you're just starting, but I personally love using Eclipse. I've used Eclipse to make (personal) Bukkit plugins and a testing Forge mod, however I HIGHLY suggest you do not begin your coding with modding for Minecraft. Setting up the environment to get the mod started seemed unnecessarily complex and difficult for me to do...if you want to start programming with Minecraft start with Bukkit. (All from my personal experience) I find Bukkit to be a great starting point for learning programming as it is easy to setup and very rewarding. Of course, before you start modding, you need to learn the simple mechanics of programming languages such as variables, loops, etc. As for giving "one to one" training, unfortunately I don't have the time for it (sorry), but it's completely possible to learn all of what you need online like I did if you have patience and dedication. The Internet is a great resource and will most likely give you answers to any questions you have related to programming.
Eclipse has a lot of useful features. DrJava is pretty simple and easy to use for beginners. CodingBat.com has a pretty good selection of early problems to do, and has the added bonus of immediate feedback, since it has an integrated editor.
Right now I am learning the basics of java at this nice website called codecademy. I finally know what Syntax means after hearing it for forever!
I do hope you understand the difference between Java and JavaScript. They are two fundamentally different languages. AFAIK Codeacademy does not teach Java, but only JavaScript. Bukkit plugins and Minecraft are written in Java.
I use www.wuppy29.com to learn modding and thenewboston for java tutorials.I still can't program much though cause i don't have time to dedicate myself to programming...
Java seems pretty hard. for me at least. does anyone recommend a good starting language thats easy to use and sorta like java?
IMO Java is one of the best languages to start out with because it hides all of the nasty details of a lower level language and also helps protect you from little things that cause difficult to fix bugs like "true-y" and "false-y" values, and automatic conversions because you just aren't aware of them. You will not find a programming language that is both flexible and simple (in an obvious way) because simplicity prevents more advanced programming. EDIT: And if you learn another language, you will just have less experience in the one you are looking to actually use. And I'm biased: see below.
Almost like what hsun has stated, stick to this "complex" Java and when you're ready to use any other simpler languages they will be a piece 'o' cake.
