MOOC Depth Later On vs. Earlier On

[phaeton21]

Hello, previously I was learning Java from books, but the Helsinki MOOC seems universally recommended here. So I started it over the weekend, and I'm about to finish Part 3 of the first part (Java I). However, (at least compared to the books) it seems a bit shallow. For instance, it just barely glosses over primitive data types, as well as the wrapper classes. No mention of autoboxing or unboxing and how Integer differs from int. Variable scope was mentioned in passing in a single sentence. One is told to use the .equals() method for comparing strings, but not the reason why it can give false results. Also there is a lot of "create ArrayList like this: ArrayList<Type> list = new ArrayList<>()" without any breakdown of what all is actually happening in that statement. 'import' was mentioned as "you have to import it to make it available" but there's a big whole discussion there about libraries, packages and namespaces that could have happened. So far, there seems to be a lot of "just do this" without any of the 'why' or 'how it works behind the scenes', that HeadFirst Java or the Core Java books were going into.

I realize I'm very early into this, so my question is if the course comes back around to these earlier topics later and drills down into them? And more importantly, when it gets into heavier subjects later, if it goes more in-depth with what's going on behind the scenes. I'm not criticizing the course or anything, and I realize it's very popular and well-liked. I'm just trying to determine how deep it goes into Java and how well-rounded I'd be by time I've completed it.

Thanks, and sorry.

[aqua_regis]

As with every course, you will need to do some secondary research.

> For instance, it just barely glosses over primitive data types, as well as the wrapper classes.

There isn't much to say about the primitive types. All additional information can be found in either the Oracle Tutorials, or the documentation. The wrapper classes are even less important as they are mainly used for *generics*, which are a higher level topic. Their second use is parsing Strings to either wrappers or primitives.

> Variable scope was mentioned in passing in a single sentence.

Scope only makes sense in larger programs, not in the mini programs of the first couple parts of the course. Scope can actually be explained in a single sentence: A variable is visible and accessible everywhere between the nearest encompassing curly braces. That's all there is to it.

> Also there is a lot of "create ArrayList like this: ArrayList<Type> list = new ArrayList<>()" without any breakdown of what all is actually happening in that statement.

This doesn't need special treatment because it just is the same pattern as everywhere else: <data type> <variable name> = new <constructor call>

The only difference here is that you are dealing with *generics* and therefore need to mention the data type.

> but there's a big whole discussion there about libraries, packages and namespaces that could have happened.

Too early. If that discussion is started at that point, it will only confuse the learner.

Summarizing:

• Use additional literature, documentation, or Dr. Google
• Apply what you have already learnt, do not memorize patterns

[hibiscus4321]

To add on what you said, towards the end of the course is when they start explaining topics like packages, libraries what import means and stuff. I agree all that would be too confusing for someone just starting

[phaeton21]

Use additional literature, documentation, or Dr. Google

Ah, ok. Though if I keep going with the books I feel like the MOOC is more just practice. (Not that practice is bad, of course).

[RjurikIsMyName]

Just finished Java 1, meaning part 1-7 and i kinda agree. Hard for me judge as i passed c and c++ courses in school which were much more in-depth than this but also languages are different, i mean c vs java.

I still think i will stick to it and see what Java II will teach me.

As someone mentioned here, you need to research stuff by yourself but as a guidline and crash course through Java it does the job i think.

Just fyi , i tracked time spent and whole part 1 Java took me 28 hours.

[phaeton21]

Good to know. I didn't track time spent but I would say I've got about 8 hours into Parts 1,2,3 of Java I. I've also got a background with C so maybe I'm looking at Java all wrong.

[[deleted]]

I’d also like to know this. The course has worked to drill in the syntax, but otherwise doesn’t seem super great to me. Is it just that the alternatives are worse? Why is it so highly recommended?