🚀 Getting Started with Java: A Beginner’s Guide

Java is one of the most popular and powerful programming languages in the world. From Android apps to large-scale enterprise systems, Java is used everywhere. Whether you're a student, a job seeker, or simply someone curious about coding — learning Java is a great place to start!

In this blog, we'll cover the basics of Java, from what it is to writing your very first program.

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🧠 What is Java?

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995 (now owned by Oracle). It’s known for its platform independence, meaning you can write Java code once and run it anywhere — thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

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🛠️ Why Learn Java?

• ✅ Simple and easy to learn

• 🔐 Secure and robust

• 📱 Used in Android app development

• 💼 In-demand in the job market

• 🌐 Great for web, desktop, and enterprise applications

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📁 Setting Up Java

To start coding in Java, you need:

1. JDK (Java Development Kit) – Includes tools to compile and run Java code.

2. IDE (Integrated Development Environment) – Like Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, or VS Code to write your code easily.

Download Java: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html

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🖥️ Your First Java Program

Let’s write a simple “Hello, World!” program in Java.

javaCopyEditpublic class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

Explanation:

• public class HelloWorld: Defines a class named HelloWorld.

• public static void main(String[] args): The main method – the entry point of any Java program.

• System.out.println(...): Prints text to the console.

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🔤 Java Basics

📌 1. Variables

Java variables store data. Common types:

javaCopyEditint age = 25;
String name = "Alice";
double salary = 50000.50;
boolean isJavaFun = true;

📌 2. Data Types

Java is a statically-typed language. Here are some primitive types:

📌 3. Operators

Java supports arithmetic, relational, and logical operators:

javaCopyEditint a = 10 + 5;       // 15
boolean result = a > 5 && a < 20;  // true

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🔁 Control Structures

🔹 if-else

javaCopyEditif (age > 18) {
    System.out.println("Adult");
} else {
    System.out.println("Minor");
}

🔹 for Loop

javaCopyEditfor (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    System.out.println(i);
}

🔹 while Loop

javaCopyEditint i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
    System.out.println(i);
    i++;
}

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🧱 Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Java is an OOP language, which means it is based on classes and objects.

Example:

javaCopyEditclass Car {
    String color = "Red";

    void drive() {
        System.out.println("Car is driving...");
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Car myCar = new Car();
        myCar.drive();
        System.out.println(myCar.color);
    }
}

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📚 Conclusion

Java is a versatile and beginner-friendly language that opens up many opportunities in software development. This blog covered the essentials — from setting up your environment to writing your first program and understanding key concepts.

Next Steps:

• Practice writing small Java programs.

• Learn about functions, arrays, and exception handling.

• Explore OOP concepts like inheritance and polymorphism.