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Java Basics

Selection and Iteration

Anh Le, Patrick Ester, and Elise Deitrick

Code and run your first Java program in minutes without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners with no coding experience, providing a solid foundation of not just Java, but core Computer Science topics that can be transferred to other languages. The modules in this course cover printing, operators, iteration (i.e., loops), and selection (i.e., conditionals).

Code and run your first Java program in minutes without installing anything!

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to small, approachable coding exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Basic Skills - Writing your first program!

Welcome to Week 1 of the Java Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of printing, variables, and comments. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Operators

Welcome to Week 2 of the Java Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /, and %) and boolean operators (and, or, not) to manipulate data stored in variables. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Conditionals

Welcome to Week 3 of the Java Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments cover the concepts of making decisions using conditionals so your script can produce different output based on data. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Loops

Welcome to Week 4 of the Java Basics: Selection and Iteration course. These assignments covers the different types of loops to repeat sections of your program without copying-and-pasting the same lines over-and-over again. The module ends with a lab and graded coding exercises.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Students with no coding experience can learn Java's fundamentals

Provides a solid foundation in computer science concepts applicable to other languages

Self-paced, hands-on learning with no video content and instant feedback

Covers basic Java concepts like printing, operators, loops, and conditionals

Course progression is structured with increasing complexity, starting with understanding checks and moving to coding exercises

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Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly java basics

Learners say this course is well received by beginners looking to get started with Java basics such as selection and iteration. Students mention that the instructors do a great job at diving straight into Java syntax with hands-on coding practice in Codio. Although there is a forum, students mention that it could be improved.

Course provides direct coding practice in Codio.

"I love that this course is hands on and video free."

"Coding comes with hand-on practice, hence codio and this course provides cloud based resource to learn and practice"

Good for students with no or limited coding experience.

"I really like this course, it fully for absolute beginners..."

"The course overall was great, and perfect for a beginner."

Students have reported some typos and errors in the course materials.

"There were some typos in some of the work, and a PDF that did not display correctly."

Some students find the course delivery style to be dry and boring.

"the course delivery design is the definition of "boredom" and "dry""

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 Java Basics: Selection and Iteration with these activities:

Review Pre-Algebra Fundamentals

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Refresh your understanding of pre-algebra to ensure a solid foundation for learning Java

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Review basic arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /)
Practice solving equations with one variable
Review concepts of exponents and radicals

Explore Java Code Examples

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Delve deeper into Java concepts by exploring real-world code examples and tutorials

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Browse online tutorials on Java basics
Run sample code examples from Java documentation
Join online forums to ask questions and learn from others

Practice Java Coding in an Online IDE

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Solidify your understanding by writing and running Java code in an online IDE

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Create a free account on an online IDE like Replit or CodeSandbox
Start a new Java project and write simple programs
Use debugging tools to identify and fix errors

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Build a Java Resource Collection

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Organize your learning materials and create a valuable resource for future reference

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Gather useful articles, tutorials, and code snippets on Java basics
Create a document or online hub to organize your resources
Share your compilation with classmates or fellow learners

Participate in Java Coding Projects on GitHub

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Contribute to real-world Java projects and gain practical experience

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Join Java open-source projects on GitHub
Review code, suggest improvements, and collaborate on bug fixes
Share your knowledge and expertise with the community

Read 'Effective Java' by Joshua Bloch

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Gain insights into best practices and common pitfalls in Java programming

View Effective Java (3rd Edition) on Amazon

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Read through the book and take notes
Apply the principles and patterns discussed in the book in your own Java code

Develop a Java Application with a Graphical User Interface

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Build a practical Java application that showcases your programming skills

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Design the user interface for your application
Write Java code to handle user input and interactions
Test and refine your application

Career center

Learners who complete Java Basics: Selection and Iteration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

The skills taught in this course are foundational to success as a Software Developer. The course's focus on selection and iteration builds a solid understanding of core Computer Science concepts that are essential for writing efficient, maintainable code. The course's hands-on approach and emphasis on runnable code examples allow learners to apply these concepts immediately, making them more effective Software Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Computer Programmer

This course provides Computer Programmers with a strong foundation in Java, one of the most popular programming languages used in industry. The course's coverage of printing, operators, iteration, and selection equips learners with the skills needed to write and execute complex programs. The course's focus on self-paced learning and instant feedback allows learners to progress at their own pace and receive valuable feedback along the way.

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Web Developer

This course may be helpful for Web Developers who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in web development. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to web development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

IT Consultant

This course may be helpful for IT Consultants who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in IT consulting. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to IT consulting projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Technical Writer

This course may be helpful for Technical Writers who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in technical writing. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to technical writing projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Network Engineer

This course may be helpful for Network Engineers who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in network engineering. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to network engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Systems Analyst

This course may be helpful for Systems Analysts who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in systems analysis. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to systems analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Computer Support Specialist

This course may be helpful for Computer Support Specialists who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in computer support. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to computer support projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Cybersecurity Analyst

This course may be helpful for Cybersecurity Analysts who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in cybersecurity analysis. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to cybersecurity analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Software Tester

This course may be helpful for Software Testers who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in software testing. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to software testing projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Technical Support Specialist

This course may be helpful for Technical Support Specialists who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in technical support. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to technical support projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist

Data Scientist

This course may be helpful for Data Scientists who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in data science. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to data science projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Technical Project Manager

This course may be helpful for Technical Project Managers who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in technical project management. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to technical project management projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Project Manager

Data Analyst

This course may be helpful for Data Analysts who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in data analysis. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to data analysis projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

This course may be helpful for Database Administrators who are looking to build a foundation in Java. The course's coverage of basic Java concepts, such as printing, variables, and comments, provides a foundation for understanding more advanced Java concepts used in database administration. Additionally, the course's emphasis on hands-on learning and runnable code examples allows learners to apply these concepts directly to database administration projects.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Java Basics: Selection and Iteration.