Getting Started with Java – A Beginner's Guide

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Learning Loop! This is my personal space to share what I’m learning as I dive into the world of programming, ethical hacking, AI, and more.

Right now, I’m starting with Java a powerful, beginner-friendly language used in web development, Android apps, and enterprise systems. Whether you’re starting out like me or just brushing up, this post will help you take your first step.

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2. Why I Chose Java

I chose Java because:

• It’s beginner-friendly but powerful

• It teaches strong programming fundamentals

• It’s widely used in the real world (banks, apps, games, etc.)

• It’s the foundation for learning other tech fields like Android development and backend systems

This blog will follow my Java journey from the very basics to real-world projects shared step by step.

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3. What You Need to Get Started

To follow along, you’ll need:

• A computer

• Internet connection

• A little patience 😄

Let’s install Java and VS Code.

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📥 Install Java JDK

Java JDK (Java Development Kit) is what lets your computer run and compile Java code.

1. Go to: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html

2. Download the latest version for your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux)

3. Run the installer and follow the steps

4. After installation, open Command Prompt (or Terminal) and type:

    nginxCopyEditjava -version
   

   If it shows a version, Java is installed!

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💻 Set Up VS Code (Editor)

1. Go to: https://code.visualstudio.com/

2. Download and install VS Code

3. Open VS Code, go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X), and install:

   • Extension Pack for Java (by Microsoft)

This gives you everything you need: compiler, IntelliSense, debugger, etc.

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4. Your First Java Program

Let’s test that everything works.

1. Create a folder on your desktop: JavaPractice

2. Inside it, create a file: HelloWorld.java

3. Paste this code:

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

4. In VS Code, open a terminal and type:

    nginxCopyEditjavac HelloWorld.java
    java HelloWorld
   

You should see:

CopyEditHello, world!

You just wrote and ran your first Java program! 🎉

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5. What’s Next on The Learning Loop

In the next posts, I’ll cover:

• Understanding public static void main

• Variables and Data Types

• Control Structures (if, switch, loops)

• Object-Oriented Programming

• Small Java projects

Each lesson will build on the last—and I’ll explain everything as if I’m teaching my past self.

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6. Final Thoughts

Java might seem intimidating at first, but the key is showing up every day. That’s what The Learning Loop is all about: daily progress, clarity over complexity, and always moving forward one loop at a time.

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📌 Up Next: Understanding public static void main (link this when the next post is ready)
📚 Back to Java Index (link to your Java roadmap later)

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