OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Pluralsight logo

Modern Java

The Big Picture

Sander Mak

Java is one of the most widely-used development platforms today. This course will teach you the basics of Java, what it looks like, how it is run, and help you decide whether or not it is right for you.

Read more

Java is one of the most widely-used development platforms today. This course will teach you the basics of Java, what it looks like, how it is run, and help you decide whether or not it is right for you.

You’ve heard about Java and want to get started with it, but what is Java really about? In this course, Modern Java: The Big Picture, you'll gain an overview of what you can expect from Java as a development platform. First, you'll learn the answers to important questions like “What does Java code look like?" and "How is it run?” Next, you'll explore the JDK and learn when you should use Java and when you shouldn't. Finally, you’ll discover the most popular libraries, practices, and tools used in modern Java development. After finishing this course, you’ll have a broad outlook on modern Java development and you will know which Java skills to focus on next in your personal development.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Java Java Development Kit (JDK) Java Libraries Java Practices Java Tools Alternative JVM Languages Modern Java Development

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Introducing the Java Platform
Adopting Java
From Desktop to Enterprise Java to the Cloud
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines Java's role in development, which is relevant for skilled developers seeking full-stack capabilities
Taught by Sanders Mak, who is regarded for their work in Java
Explores Java's use from desktop to enterprise to cloud computing, providing a comprehensive understanding of its versatility
Covers popular Java libraries, which are vital for effective development in the field
Provides an overview of common tools and practices in modern Java development, equipping learners with industry-standard knowledge
Delves into alternative JVM languages, broadening learners' perspectives and knowledge of the Java ecosystem

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Modern java: broad ecosystem overview

According to students, Modern Java: The Big Picture offers a largely positive and well-structured introduction to the Java ecosystem. Learners describe it as excellent for beginners or those new to Java, providing an insightful big picture of the platform, popular libraries, and common tools. Many appreciate its ability to help them understand the scope of Java and decide their next learning steps. However, prospective learners should note that this is not a coding-intensive course; it focuses more on conceptual understanding and overview rather than practical hands-on programming. While some found the high-level approach too superficial, the course consistently delivers on its promise of a broad, comprehensive look at modern Java development.
Serves as a stepping stone, requiring additional courses for skill development.
"Good introduction to Java. It doesn't teach you how to code, but it helps you understand where Java fits..."
"This course will give you a good foundation, but you'll definitely need other courses to learn how to code."
"It's a great starting point, but don't expect to be a Java developer after just this one, as it’s very superficial."
Focuses on concepts and ecosystem rather than intensive coding practice.
"Don't expect a lot of hands-on coding; it's more about understanding the landscape."
"I wanted to learn how to write Java code, and this course just talks about Java. Very little hands-on, which was disappointing."
"It provides the 'what' and 'why' but not much of the 'how-to' in terms of writing code."
Generally up-to-date, providing a relevant look at the modern ecosystem.
"I've been out of programming for a while and wanted to see what modern Java looks like. This course gave me exactly that."
"The information felt mostly relevant to modern Java, which is great for an overview."
"A concise overview of Java's place in modern tech, providing a good roadmap for future learning."
The instructor explains complex topics clearly and concisely.
"The instructor's explanations were very clear, making even abstract concepts feel approachable."
"I found the explanations to be very clear, which is crucial for a 'big picture' course like this."
"Well-presented general overview. Loved how this course laid out the entire Java landscape."
Perfect for those new to Java or exploring the platform for the first time.
"As someone new to Java, this course helped me immensely in deciding if it's the right path for me."
"Excellent course for true beginners. If you know nothing about Java, this will introduce you to all the concepts..."
"If you're wondering what Java is all about and where to start, this course is highly recommended."
Provides a high-level understanding of the entire Java ecosystem.
"This course was exactly what I needed to get a high-level overview of the Java ecosystem..."
"I now have a much clearer 'big picture' of modern Java development and its various components."
"It perfectly serves its purpose as an introductory guide to the vast world of Java, making sense of the sprawling Java world."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Modern Java: The Big Picture with these activities:
Read 'Head First Java' by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates
Provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to Java concepts.
View Head First Software Development: A Learner's... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read through the chapters and work on the exercises.
  • Review and revisit the concepts as needed.
Try out Java in your favorite IDE
Helps you familiarize yourself with a Java IDE and write basic Java code.
Browse courses on Java Basics
Show steps
  • Set up your preferred Java IDE, such as IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse.
  • Create a new Java project and class in your IDE.
  • Write a simple Java program to print 'Hello, World!' to the console.
  • Run the program and verify the output.
Explore the Oracle Java Tutorial
Provides a comprehensive and interactive learning experience for Java fundamentals.
Browse courses on Java Basics
Show steps
  • Navigate to the Oracle Java Tutorial website.
  • Choose a topic or trail that aligns with your learning objectives.
  • Follow the interactive lessons, code examples, and exercises.
  • Complete the quizzes and exercises to test your understanding.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Join a study group or online forum
Provides opportunities for collaboration, peer support, and knowledge sharing.
Show steps
  • Find a relevant study group or online forum.
  • Join the group and introduce yourself.
  • Actively participate in discussions and ask questions.
  • Share your knowledge and help others learn.
Attend a Java user group meeting
Offers opportunities to connect with other Java enthusiasts, learn from experts, and explore industry best practices.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Find local Java user groups or meetups.
  • Register and attend a meeting.
  • Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share knowledge.
  • Network with other Java professionals.
Solve coding challenges on LeetCode
Sharpens your Java coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
Show steps
  • Create an account on LeetCode.
  • Select a Java-specific problem set.
  • Read the problem statement and write code to solve it.
  • Submit your code and analyze the results to improve your solution.
Build a simple Java project
Provides hands-on experience in applying Java concepts to create a functional application.
Browse courses on Java Development
Show steps
  • Identify a simple project idea.
  • Design the project architecture and data structures.
  • Write and test the Java code for your project.
  • Run and debug the project to ensure its functionality.
Contribute to an open-source Java project
Provides real-world experience in collaborating on Java software development and contributing to the community.
Show steps
  • Identify an open-source Java project that aligns with your interests.
  • Read the project documentation and guidelines.
  • Find a suitable area to contribute to.
  • Create a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Modern Java: The Big Picture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Java Developer
Java Developers create and maintain applications or software that run on Java Virtual Machine (JVM) or Android. This course introduces you to the Java platform, helping you understand how Java code is structured and implemented. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Java Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Java Developer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers apply engineering principles to the development of software. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It discusses the JDK, popular Java libraries, and practices commonly used in modern Java development, helping build a foundation for your career as a Software Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Software Architect
Software Architects design, build, and maintain the overall architecture of software systems. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It discusses the JDK, popular Java libraries, and practices commonly used in modern Java development, helping build a foundation for your career as a Software Architect.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect
Web Developer
Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in web development. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Web Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Mobile Developer
Mobile Developers design, develop, and maintain mobile applications. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in Android development. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Mobile Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Developer
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course introduces you to the Java platform, helping you understand how Java can be used for data analysis. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Data Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers design, build, and maintain cloud-based systems. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in cloud computing. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Cloud Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in DevOps. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a DevOps Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Full-Stack Developer
Full Stack Developers design, develop, and maintain both the front-end and back-end of web applications. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in full stack development. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Full Stack Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer
Product Manager
Product Managers define, build, and manage products. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, helping build a foundation for your success as a Product Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation and other materials that explain technical products or services. This course introduces you to the Java platform, helping you understand how Java code is structured and implemented. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Technical Writer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It discusses the JDK, popular Java libraries, and practices commonly used in modern Java development, helping build a foundation for your career as a Business Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Database Administrator
Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. This course introduces you to the Java platform, and how Java is used in database management. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, building a foundation for your success as a Database Administrator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It also discusses modern Java development practices and tools, helping build a foundation for your career as a Project Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts analyze business needs and design solutions to improve business processes. This course provides an overview of Java, one of the most widely-used development platforms. It discusses the JDK, popular Java libraries, and practices commonly used in modern Java development, helping build a foundation for your career as a Systems Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Modern Java: The Big Picture.
Cover image
Effective Java
Save
A collection of best practices and guidelines for writing high-quality Java code. It must-read for any serious Java developer.
Effective Java
Paperback
$$
Effective Java
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Java Concurrency in Practice
Save
An in-depth guide to Java concurrency. It covers everything from basic concepts to advanced topics such as lock-free programming.
Java Concurrency in Practice
Paperback
$$
Java Concurrency in Practice
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Java: A Beginner's Guide, Tenth Edition
Save
A comprehensive guide to the Java programming language, covering everything from basic syntax to advanced topics such as concurrency and networking. It valuable reference for both beginners and experienced Java developers.
Java: A Beginner's Guide, Tenth Edition
Paperback
$$
Java: A Beginner's Guide, Tenth Edition
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Java Network Programming
Save
A comprehensive guide to Java network programming. It covers everything from basic concepts such as sockets and streams to advanced topics such as web services and distributed systems.
Java Network Programming: Developing Networked...
Kindle Edition
$$
Java Network Programming, Third Edition
Paperback
$$
Java Network Programming (Java (O'Reilly))
Paperback
$
Java Network Programming
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
JUnit in Action, Third Edition
Save
A comprehensive guide to the JUnit testing framework. It covers everything from basic concepts such as test cases and assertions to advanced topics such as mocking and dependency injection.
JUnit in Action, Third Edition
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Java 8 in Action
Save
A comprehensive guide to the Java 8 programming language. It covers everything from basic concepts such as lambda expressions and streams to advanced topics such as concurrency and functional programming.
Java 8 in Action
Paperback
Check
Java 8 in Action
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Modern Java in Action
Save
A comprehensive guide to the Java 9 programming language. It covers everything from basic concepts such as modules and the jshell REPL to advanced topics such as reactive programming and the new HttpClient.
Modern Java in Action: Lambdas, streams, functional...
Paperback
$$$
Modern Java in Action: Lambdas, Streams, Functional...
Audible Audiobook
$$
Modern Java in Action: Lambdas, streams, functional...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Head First Java
Save
An accessible and engaging introduction to Java programming. It uses a conversational style and humor to make learning Java fun and easy.
Head First Java: A Brain-Friendly Guide
Paperback
$$
Head First Java
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Java Performance
Save
A comprehensive guide to Java security. It covers everything from basic concepts such as access control and cryptography to advanced topics such as secure coding and threat modeling.
Java Performance: In-Depth Advice for Tuning and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Java Performance: The Definitive Guide: Getting the...
Paperback
$$$
Java performance tuning (Korean Edition)
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Java Persistence with Spring Data and Hibernate
Save
A comprehensive guide to the Hibernate ORM. It covers everything from basic concepts such as mapping and persistence to advanced topics such as caching and performance tuning.
Java Persistence with Spring Data and Hibernate
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Gradle in Action
Save
A comprehensive guide to the Gradle build tool. It covers everything from basic concepts such as tasks and plugins to advanced topics such as continuous integration and dependency management.
Gradle in Action
Paperback
$$
Gradle in Action
Kindle Edition
$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Course image
Time
119 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
Sander Mak
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Java Language Fundamentals. It's comprised of 30 courses:
  1. Modern Java: The Big Picture (viewing)
  2. Java Fundamentals: The Java Language
  3. Java Fundamentals: The Core Platform
  4. What’s New in Java 11: Long-term Support
  5. Java Fundamentals: Collections
  6. Programming with Dates and Times in Java 8
  7. Java Platform: Working with Databases Using JDBC
  8. Applying Concurrency and Multi-threading to Common Java 8 Patterns
  9. Design Patterns in Java: Behavioral
  10. Java 11 Fundamentals: Generics
  11. Java Web Fundamentals
  12. Introduction to Testing in Java
  13. Test-Driven Development Practices in Java
  14. Design Patterns in Java: Structural
  15. Design Patterns in Java: Creational
  16. What's New in Java 12
  17. What’s New in Java 13
  18. Java Core Libraries: JDBC 4
  19. Java Fundamentals: HttpClient
  20. From Collections to Streams in Java 8 Using Lambda Expressions
  21. Setting up a Java Development Environment
  22. Java 8 Fundamentals: The Java Reflection API Method Handles
  23. Java 8 Fundamentals: Asynchronous Programming Using CompletionStage
  24. Working with Nulls in Java 11
  25. Making Your Java 8 Code More Object-oriented
  26. Mastering Object-oriented Programming in Java 8
  27. Getting Started with Programming in Java 11
  28. Working with Classes and Interfaces in Java 11
  29. Using the Java NIO API
  30. Securing Java Web Application Data
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines Java's role in development, which is relevant for skilled developers seeking full-stack capabilities
Taught by Sanders Mak, who is regarded for their work in Java
Explores Java's use from desktop to enterprise to cloud computing, providing a comprehensive understanding of its versatility
Covers popular Java libraries, which are vital for effective development in the field
Provides an overview of common tools and practices in modern Java development, equipping learners with industry-standard knowledge
Delves into alternative JVM languages, broadening learners' perspectives and knowledge of the Java ecosystem
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Modern Java.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser