I've recently started working in Java to support our testing solution at work (Selenium). So far, it it hasn't been too tough to adapt my C# experience (remember, I am just getting started..I know the differences will soon smack me in the eye), and it's pretty sweet. I did find there is a lack of good instructional books on the subject (or so it seems to me), but I did end up with Head First Java as a starting point. The book doesn't seem to dig too much into detail so far, but that suits me fine for now. I'll get a good overview and then get deeper into it (i.e., might need a reference) later.
I was a bit confused as the book suggests grabbing the latest API references from Sun, but there is a lot of info all over the place. As a matter of fact, this seems to be pretty standard for the Java world: it grew organically rather than being manufactured. As such, "stuff" is everywhere and sometimes it seems tough to find things. Conversely, the .Net world just seems to "work" 99.8% of the time without a lot of fuss (the gods help you if you fall into the .2%...) This doesn't really trouble me much, just means a new set of challenges for me. All good.
I have to confess it is awfully cool to download the IDE...for free....the Runtime libraries...for free...a whole, full-scale, portable language that is, well....free. That rocks!
I'll install VS on my machine at work as it is the env with which I am most comfortable, but I'll be installing Eclipse right beside it.
Print | posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 12:39 PM