Learning Java roadmap
Roadmap to learning and mastering Java
Here's a comprehensive roadmap to learning and mastering Java, whether you're
starting from scratch or aiming to become a Java expert for development, testing
(e.g., Selenium), or backend systems.
🔰 Phase 1: Java Fundamentals (Beginner)
Goal: Understand the core syntax, OOP, and basic programming logic.
Topics:
Java Installation (JDK, IntelliJ or Eclipse)
Hello World, Syntax, Data Types, Variables
Operators (Arithmetic, Logical, Bitwise)
Conditional Statements (if, switch)
Loops (for, while, do-while)
Arrays and Strings
Methods (Static & Instance)
Basic Input/Output (Scanner, System.out)
Practice:
Solve 20-30 beginner-level problems on HackerRank or CodingBat
🧱 Phase 2: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Goal: Write modular, reusable, and scalable code using OOP principles.
Topics:
Classes & Objects
Constructors (default, parameterized)
Inheritance (single, multilevel, hierarchical)
Polymorphism (method overloading/overriding)
Abstraction (abstract class, interface)
Encapsulation (getters/setters, access modifiers)
Practice:
Create a Bank Management System (small console project)
Understand how Java uses objects in memory (heap vs stack)
1/5
🧠 Phase 3: Core Java Concepts (Intermediate)
Goal: Build deeper understanding of how Java works under the hood.
Topics:
Static and Final Keywords
Wrapper Classes (Integer, Boolean, etc.)
String Handling (String, StringBuilder, StringBuffer)
Exception Handling (try, catch, finally, throws, custom exceptions)
Nested and Inner Classes
Packages and Access Modifiers
Enum, Varargs
Practice:
Build a Student Record System using classes, exceptions, and file I/O.
📚 Phase 4: Collections Framework & Data Structures
Goal: Efficiently store and manipulate data.
Topics:
List (ArrayList, LinkedList)
Set (HashSet, TreeSet, LinkedHashSet)
Map (HashMap, TreeMap, LinkedHashMap)
Queue, Stack (using Deque)
Sorting and Comparators
Iterator, ListIterator
Java 8 forEach, lambda with collections
Practice:
Build a Library Management System using collections
Solve DSA problems using Java on LeetCode/HackerRank
🛠️ Phase 5: Java 8+ Features (Essential for Modern Java)
Goal: Write concise and functional-style code.
Topics:
Lambda Expressions
2/5
Functional Interfaces (Predicate, Consumer, Function, Supplier)
Stream API
Method References
Default & Static Methods in Interfaces
Optional class
Practice:
Refactor your earlier projects using Lambdas and Streams
🌐 Phase 6: File Handling, JDBC, and Multithreading
Goal: Learn backend essentials.
Topics:
File I/O (Reader/Writer, File, BufferedReader)
Serialization & Deserialization
JDBC (basic CRUD operations with MySQL)
Multithreading (Thread class, Runnable, Executors)
Synchronization and Deadlocks
Producer-Consumer problem
💻 Phase 7: Build Real-World Projects
Goal: Apply everything in complete applications.
Sample Projects:
Inventory Management System
Chat Application using Sockets
Employee Management System with DB
Console-based ATM Simulation
Java-based REST API (Spring Boot – next phase)
🧪 Optional: Java for Testing (if targeting QA/SDET roles)
Learn:
Java basics tailored to automation
JUnit & TestNG
Selenium with Java
3/5
RestAssured for API Testing
Maven for Dependency Management
Page Object Model Design Pattern
🌱 Phase 8: Advance to Frameworks (Optional, for dev roles)
Goal: Learn Java ecosystem for enterprise development.
Spring Boot – REST APIs, DI, Security, JPA
Hibernate/JPA – ORM for database interaction
Maven/Gradle – Build tools
Unit Testing – JUnit5, Mockito
Logging – Log4j or SLF4J
Microservices (Spring Cloud basics)
📖 Resources
Courses:
Java Programming Masterclass – Udemy (Tim Buchalka)
JetBrains Academy Java Developer Track
Java Tutorial – W3Schools
Baeldung Java Articles
Practice:
LeetCode – Java Problems
Codewars Java Challenges
Java exercises from GeeksForGeeks
🧭 Suggested Timeline (Flexible):
Phase Duration (Approx.)
Java Basics + OOP 2-3 weeks
Core + Intermediate 2-3 weeks
Collections + Java 8 2-3 weeks
JDBC + File + 1-2 weeks
Threads
4/5
Phase Duration (Approx.)
Real-world projects 2-4 weeks
Testing/Frameworks 4-6 weeks
Would you like this roadmap as a PDF, a checklist, or with daily learning tasks?
5/5
