Java Learning Roadmap
Phase 1: Basics of Java
Goal: Understand Java syntax, environment setup, and basic programming concepts.
Topics:
• Installing JDK and setting up IDE (Eclipse, IntelliJ, VS Code)
• Writing first Java program (Hello World)
• Variables and Data Types (int, float, double, char, boolean)
• Operators (+, -, *, /, %, comparison, logical)
• Conditional statements (if, else if, else, switch)
• Loops (for, while, do-while)
• Arrays (single-dimensional, multi-dimensional)
• Input/output using Scanner class
Practice:
• Simple calculator program
• Print number patterns
• FizzBuzz problem
Phase 2: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Goal: Learn the core OOP concepts in Java.
Topics:
• Classes and Objects
• Constructors (default and parameterized)
• Methods (instance and static methods)
• Encapsulation (getters and setters)
• Inheritance (extends keyword)
• Polymorphism (method overloading, method overriding)
• Abstraction (abstract classes, interfaces)
• Access Modifiers (public, private, protected, default)
Practice:
• Create a class hierarchy for animals or vehicles
• Implement interface-based projects
• Use constructor overloading and method overriding
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Phase 3: Advanced Java
Goal: Work with Java Collections, Exception Handling, and File I/O.
Topics:
• Exception Handling (try, catch, finally, throw, throws)
• Collections Framework (ArrayList, LinkedList, HashMap, HashSet, TreeMap)
• Generics
• File Handling (FileReader, FileWriter, BufferedReader, BufferedWriter)
• Java Streams (for data processing)
• Lambda Expressions and Functional Interfaces
Practice:
• CRUD operations using Collections
• Read/write data from/to files
• Use streams to process data
Phase 4: GUI and Event Handling
Goal: Build simple desktop applications.
Topics:
• AWT and Swing basics
• JFrame, JPanel, JButton, JTextField, JLabel
• Event Handling (ActionListener, MouseListener)
• Layout Managers (FlowLayout, BorderLayout, GridLayout)
• Dialog boxes (JOptionPane)
Practice:
• Simple Calculator GUI
• To-do list GUI application
• Login form validation
Phase 5: Databases and JDBC
Goal: Connect Java applications with databases.
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Topics:
• Introduction to JDBC (Java Database Connectivity)
• Connecting to MySQL, SQLite, or PostgreSQL
• Executing SQL queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
• PreparedStatement and ResultSet
• Transactions and Exception Handling
Practice:
• Create a student management system
• Perform CRUD operations via Java
• Display data in console or simple GUI
Phase 6: Web Development Basics
Goal: Introduction to building web applications with Java.
Topics:
• Servlets and JSP
• HTTP Protocol basics
• MVC Architecture
• Using Tomcat server
• Simple web forms and handling requests
Practice:
• Build a login/logout web form
• Display records from database on a webpage
Phase 7: Best Practices & Projects
Goal: Consolidate learning and create portfolio projects.
Topics:
• Writing clean and maintainable code
• Version control with Git/GitHub
• Unit Testing with JUnit
• Logging (java.util.logging or Log4j)
• Structuring projects and packages
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Practice:
• Build a mini-project (e.g., banking system, library management)
• Upload project to GitHub
• Document project and code
Tools & Resources: - IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, VS Code - JDK Documentation: https://docs.oracle.com/en/
java/ - Practice platforms: HackerRank, LeetCode, Codewars - Libraries/Frameworks: Swing, JDBC, Servlets,
JSP
Tip: Follow Phases 1 → 7 sequentially and build small projects at each phase to strengthen understanding.
