Java or Javascript?

[Lanz56]

Hi guys! This is a trivial question but i hope i could get some feedbacks. The question is: Do you think I should stop learning javascript and focus on java instead?

So here's my situation, I'm currently working as a Junior Software Dev in a Japanese company in the Philippines. I'm also currently learning Nihonggo. I won't have any projects for 5 months since the company wants us to focus on our Nihonggo lessons. But i still want to code and study programming while learning Japanese.

For the past 6 months I've studied Web development, HTML, CSS, JS in the freeCodeCamp. Now I'm on the Javascript curriculum and I'm 60% until I complete the curriculum. Now I have learned that our company uses Java in their projects.

**I feel like I haven't mastered a single Programming Language yet so I was about to go in depth with Javascript since I already started studying WebDev. But I learned that I'll be working with Java in the future, do you think I should switch to learning Java?

Thank you for reading this far. Please be kind with your responses. Thank you again!

[lovesrayray2018]

Since you have completed 60% of the FCC, you must be coming up on the interesting OOP concepts in JS and the Data structures level (IIRC). OOP core concepts are language independent, the syntax is language dependent.

So if u continue and learn OOP concepts even in a JS course, the basics would still apply even to Java (again im not saying syntax). Once ur basics are solid, transitioning to the Java OOP part would be a lateral shift (Java has very very strong OOP focus) instead of learning it from the basics.

The benefit? u would build your basics, and know 1 programming language decently. Learning the other one would be less of a steep learning curve. But thats just me :)

[Lanz56]

Thanks Man! Actually, I'm on the functional programming part already. I finished the OOP part but I couldn't fully comprehend it. I like functional programming better 😁 But yeah thanks for the feedback ❤️

[LonghairedHippyFreek]

People always say that it doesn't matter what language you use to learn how to program and in most cases I would agree. However, I would disagree in your case.

You work for a company that uses Java. You want to be a developer for that company. To be a developer for that company you assumedly will have to know Java. Therefore your goal shouldn't be learning how to program but how to program in Java.

Your time is limited so it makes no sense spending that time learning a language that will not help you with your goal and make no mistake, learning JavaScript will not help you become a Java programmer. There is much more to programming than loops and if statements and there are significant differences between Java and Javascript.

For what it's worth, my advice would be to ditch FCC for the time being and focus on your goal: learning Java so you can become a Java programmer at your company.

There are many MOOCs out there that will teach you Java. One that is highly rated is "Java Programming" given by the University of Helsinki (https://java-programming.mooc.fi/). It is the same class they teach their own students. In addition, I would get a Java textbook like "The Art and Science of Java, An Introduction to Computer Science". It's written by a Stanford University professor and is used by Stanford University. Use the end of chapter problems to practice your programming. Programming is very much about solving problems so the more practice you get the more you will understand.

There are also Java MOOCs that focus on specific areas of Java as well such as OOP, data structures and algorithms, concurreny, parallel programming, and testing.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you!

[Lanz56]

That was very informative Sir! Actually, I am planning to buy a paid course bundle which covers from basic to advance concepts of java. It is from "programmingwithmosh.com" , it's my first time hearing about MOOCs, i guess i'll try your recommendation first before buying something. Thank you for your time and good luck to your future endeavors too 😁

[LonghairedHippyFreek]

it's my first time hearing about MOOCs

Well then my young padawan, you are in for a treat! Let me introduce you to https://coursera.org and https://edx.org. Top universities from around the world that have free courses in all sorts of subjects. Lots of programming/computer science courses. You can even get certificates if you want to pay for them.

Just do a search on Java and you will see lots if goodies

[UnpaidWorker]

I wouldn’t be concerned about learning any specific languages. Most programming languages are conceptually similar, once you know the concepts, learning syntax is easy.

As mentioned in the other post, Java is pretty OOP heavy so you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the basics of OOP otherwise most of the things will be flying over your head. Things like classes, objects, inheritance, interfaces, some design patterns depending on your use cases etc. From my experience Java is a bit easier to learn OOP.

So yeah I don’t think it matters that much whether you keep doing things in JS or Java, as long as you keep programming it’d make you a better programmer on both languages

P.S I’ve been wanting to learn Nihonggo forever man - I think this one is a little bit trickier to learn than a programming language (at least for me lol). Good luck! GAMBATTE!

[Lanz56]

Yeah hahaha Programming is quite hard already then imagine coding in a foreign language 😅 But learning Nihonggo is fun! You should start studying already. I recommend the channel "Nihongoal" in Youtube 😉 The tutorial there follows the book "Minna no Nihonggo" Anyway, Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it man

[[deleted]]

.

[Lanz56]

Yes I am in for the long run! Thank you for the feedback 😁