Scratch

There are books on java programming.

You can get the standard Java SDK for free here at Oracle's site, so you can get started completely for free. 

If you're going to be writing Java, I really recommend an IDE. (Trust me, you don't want to use notepad.) Personally, I use Eclipse, but you can use whatever you want.

Of course, you want a way to learn the language too. May I suggest thenewboston's video tutorials? He's very good at bringing you through everything one step at a time and explaining everything in layman's terms, so even if you're not familiar with programming vernacular and techniques, you'll be able to understand everything he says. Here's a link to the first video in the series.

No, it doesn't cost money unless you want to get a book or something. You write out your programs (mods, whatever) in a normal text editor, but then you use the Java SDK (here) to compile it. For learning -- don't use the "official" tutorials. They're outdated crud.

EDIT: Ninja'd.
EDIT2: Twice.

Last edited by jackrulez (2011-07-31 20:13:33)

Whats the difference between the SDK and the JDK?

Thanks guys, I'll definitely consider all of this. Do you guys think its a good idea to start such learning at 13?

wmays wrote:

I want to start learning at 12. 

For something like this, there is no minimum age. Notch started programming when he was 7.

Now that I think of it, your right!

I think I'll start with the school year, since I have summer work to do, and I'm still in middle school, so I can mix both.

With Javascript, I believe the program is called Eclipse. It's free. To start, you can do whatever you want! That's what's so great about programming.

Nexstudent wrote:

Thanks guys, I'll definitely consider all of this. Do you guys think its a good idea to start such learning at 13?

I started at 11. Any age is fine, really.

Last edited by johndo77 (2011-07-31 22:30:16)

Nexstudent wrote:

First of all, does it cost money? NOTHING AT ALL!!! 
What do I program with? Netbeans, Eclipse, or some other less poular IDE 
Where does my learning start? Try either a coding book, or a tutorial online.  Use a coding book, as online tutorials either cost a ton, or are free but really bad.

If you want to make bukkit plugins, or minecraft mods, use eclipse, but in general, use whatever IDE your tutorial tells you to.

Last edited by gbear605 (2011-08-01 07:33:13)

Since I'm new to all of this, I'm going to ask more questions 

Is Eclipse an SDK?

Is IDE another name for an SDK?

Nexstudent wrote:

Thanks guys, I'll definitely consider all of this. Do you guys think its a good idea to start such learning at 13?

I know a guy who started Scratch at 11 and started Java at 12. He can turn any program upside down, destroy Minecraft and be sentenced to life in prison for every computer crime ever made just by his looks.

Java is free and most software for it is too (only the books cost).

I'll right a tutorial.
Download the jdk from oracle
Download a text editor. I use gedit which is avaliable for linux (standard with ubuntu) and windows.
Install all software. It's best to store to default locations.

Open up gedit and save the file as "HelloWorld.java" (You do this first as it activates gedit's code highlighting features)

Next type the following:

class HelloWorld { //This is the class "HelloWorld" must be the same as file name
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello World!"); // Prints Hello World
    }
}

Save the file.
Now test to see if the following commands work in command prompt/ console

java -version

If it doesn't produce and error then it's fine

javac -version

Note this didn't work for me so I'll show you what to do after the first part if this happens.


Open up the console.
Navigate to the file by typing (Windows/Ubuntu) cd "location of the file"
next type
javac filename.java (in this case "javac HelloWorld.java")
Now type
"java HelloWorld"


If javac doesn't work you will need to find it. If you let it install to defualt directory then the command to compile will be.
"C:\Program Files\Java\<java version>\bin\javac.exe"
Using the latest java version type
"C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin\javac.exe" HelloWorld.java

You need Eclipse and the Java SDK. You need both, because the JDK is what compiles the programs. Together they are about 500MB, so I would suggest having a fast internet connection/lots of free time.