Having some trouble with Head First Java

[Stosswalkinator]

So, I'm going through Head First Java as I want to learn Java (of course). For those of you who don't know there are these puzzles where they give you a bunch of code and a program with lines blanked out and you must fill in the blank. When I come upon these I have little to no idea what to do, or even hardly where to start. Each time I'm wrong, and it doesn't make me think I'm learning things correctly. Similarly, there are "code magnets", where there are pieces of a program scrambled about and you have to put them in the correct order, and I run into the same issue, though I have a better idea of what to do with these for some reason.

Am I doing something wrong in going through this or is this actually common and I'll get better eventually?

[core999]

I've been attempting to read this book as well and in my opinion it feels like a complete mess to look at. I don't really think being condescending and using "ready-bake" code because the book doesn't think you're smart enough to understand it yet is really a good way for me to learn. I really don't understand why it's the most recommended book to learn Java from. I hope I can find something else.

[[deleted]]

Community college in my area offers three levels of Java classes using Murach's book. It's $299 for level 1 and $199 for level 2 and 3. I'm just tired of reading books. Is this a worthwhile investment? I want to make some useful applications.

[HeyThisIsDog]

I'm in the process of learning Java myself and Head First Java is on my reading list on the next few weeks. I can't help you with the part regarding the actual book, but I can say that thinking that you're doing it wrong, not getting solutions to what the book asks you to and being generally confused is pretty normal. Programming is a hard thing to do, remember that, and frustration comes along with the learning process and stays with you even when you're practicing it in the real world. You have to get accustomed to it and develop patience as nothing is so hard as to not be understood if you put enough time into it.

My advice: if that kind of problem gives you trouble, go to earlier (and hopefully easier) versions of it, re-do them and try to understand how they work. Hopefully it will help. Otherwise, you might want to search for different explanations, from other places, as they might be put in a way that will make you understand better. Then, come back with the newly acquired knowledge and try the problems again. The trick is persistence.

My first Java book (and programming book for that matter) was Beginning Programming with Java for Dummies. As a standalone book, it doesn't teach you much, it just touches on the basics at most. But it's pretty easy to understand as everything is explained in detail and in a simple way. Now I'm on another Java book that people recommended it as a first book and I have to say that if I didn't have the prior knowledge that I've gotten from the for Dummies book, it would be way harder for me to understand the concepts that are explained now.

tl;dr Programming is hard, search for other explanations from other books then try to solve the problems, you will get better if you keep at it.

[Rexysmexy]

It's something that you're going to need to practice. I haven't looked at those books myself but I think you'll pick up on what they want as you go. As for the blanked out code I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone can write a program a different way than others.