Why Java and why on a smartphone?
There are so many programming languages out there! Unsurprisingly, you may get confused trying to figure out which one to choose. What language will provide the best return for your time and effort? I’m genuinely convinced that Java is one of the best options. Consider this:
Java is not hard to learn. It’s not a blank statement: this language was initially designed to be easy to use.Java is a highly developed language. It has many libraries and frameworks, particularly for every problem. Some of them were developed by Java creators, some by other programmers. Many libraries are free to use and open source.You can apply Java skills almost everywhere: from mobile to web applications development, from finances to big data.Java follows the principle “write once, run anywhere” (WORA slogan). That means you can write code for Windows PC, and it will work on Linux with minimal or even no fixes. You can switch from one system to another, and it won’t cause any inconveniences (maybe your brain will say: “Dude, it was okay there, why to move?” – but it’s not Java’s fault).Java developer is among the most needed jobs in the IT market. Especially in big companies which develop complicated systems.
According to Statista, almost 50% of people spend 5-6 hours daily on smartphones (usage for work purposes wasn’t included in this number). Another 22% of respondents claimed they spent 3-4 hours daily with their electronic pocket friends. More and more people want to do something useful while taking the subway or waiting in line. And for GenZ guys, a smartphone is basically the primary medium between them and the rest of the world. If you’re motivated, your smartphone can help you to acquire valuable skills. Coding may be one of them. There are so many Android applications needed to learn Java nowadays, you just have to choose the most suitable for you among them.
What options to consider?
CodeGym
This app gives you access to more than 600 mini-lectures and 1200 coding tasks (about 80% of the course is practice). After solving a task, you can immediately check if your solution is correct. More importantly, the app looks more like a game, not a traditional boring-to-the-bone studying. There are four quests, ten levels in each. You move from one to another, improving your coding skills, and gaining a lot of experience. In case of any questions, you can use the help section, look for an answer in the blog or ask a community of other learners. If you find writing code on a smartphone challenging, you can use auto expands and tips. Also, this app is famous due to its very convenient mobile IDE. The app is a part of an extensive desktop course – https://codegym.cc/ – with two subscription options. Premium costs $49 per month and gives you access to all the quests, task recommendations, and much more. And Premium Pro subscription costs $99 per month and allows you to additionally receive an analysis of your coding style. Important hint: there’s a “mobile-only” option which costs much less (for instance, $60 per 6 months for the USA users). Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hitechrush.codegym
Learn Java Programming
This app contains tutorials (both for beginners and advanced programmers), coding lessons, and a Q&A section, which helps you learn the basics. There are many examples that you can use to understand how to write a code (more than 100), equipped with professional comments. Also, this app can help you to prepare for the exam on Java. The downside – it’s not gamified, so don’t expect much fun from learning. The price of the app: free. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ab.java.programming
SoloLearn
This app is also a part of a big programming course which can help you to study many programming languages (Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, PHP, etc.) and will be especially useful for beginners who are just getting acquainted with the concept of coding. You start with elementary tasks which take just a few minutes to solve. Also, you can engage in gamified competition with other learners, which may be motivational for some people. The community of users is vast, so you won’t feel lonely when making the first steps in coding. But when you gain the basic knowledge, you will most likely need to switch to a different app. The basic version of the app is free. Pro version costs $12.99 per month (or $69.99 yearly in on payment). Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sololearn
Learn Java: Programiz
Also made for beginners, this app has small lessons that you can go through quickly, many practical examples, and quizzes to check your studying progress. You can write code in the app and run it on the spot. There’s also such a helpful feature as bookmarks that allow you to mark some topics and easily return to them whenever you have time. The app is free, but a paid PRO version is available (ads-free, with challenges and the possibility of getting a certificate). PRO version costs $24.99 per year or $2.49 monthly. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.programiz.learnjava
Programming Hub
This app is also for learning multiple languages (Java, Python, R among them). It’s created in a very professional way (developers had a collaboration with Google experts). It claims to have the quickest compiler in the world, in addition to loads of coding examples and interactive lessons. The content of the courses updates regularly. The basic version is free, but there’s also a Pro version which gives you full access to all the content (including offline), removes ads and allows you to get a certificate. Paid options start from $6.99 per month. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freeit.java
Enki
Allows learning several programming languages, suitable both for beginners or people having some coding experience. The app presents itself as a customized learning coach. It means that you can get personalized tasks and suggestions of what to study. This platform is well-known and quite popular. There is a free version, but it has a very limited set of tools. You can buy individual access for $50 per year (you get access to the mentor community) or $350 per year (you will have a personal mentor). There are also several paid options for teams. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.enki.insights
Codecademy Go
This app isn’t tailored only to Java learners, but you can find a course for beginners that provides access to 11 lessons and 7 projects. The users study basic concepts of programming: variables, object-oriented Java, conditionals and control flow, etc. A part of the content is free, but to access the rest, you will need to buy a Pro version which costs $15.99 per month if paid annually, or $19.99 monthly. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ryzac.codecademygo
Udemy
Same situation here: a big platform with a good reputation, proposing hundreds of courses about different programming languages. You can find several Java courses here, as well, although many of them aren’t free. All courses have a rating, so you can choose the title and the author you find the most reliable. Also, you can find the information not only for beginners but also for people with different levels of expertise. Udemy suggests new clients join it starting from $13.99 per course. By the way, you can even buy a course as a present (or receive it as a gift if your birthday is coming soon). Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.udemy.android
Easy Coder
This app’s strong side is its easy-to-follow video tutorials, which make the learning exciting. You can watch how professionals do the tasks, start some challenges (if the competition drives you), and solve quizzes. The interface is very user-friendly. The app is free, but you have to earn credits to unlock new tasks due to gamification. Or you can buy the credits, as in many other learning apps. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amensah.easycoder
Java Deep Learning
It’s an app that helps you not only to get or improve programming skills but also face real-world challenges, like a job interview. There’s a specific section dedicated to this subject. The user can learn what questions recruiters often ask and prepare the answers in advance (everyone knows how stressful those interviews can be and how hard it is to think of something clever and smart when it’s necessary to show how clever and smart you are). This app is free. Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.awwalsoft.javadeeplearning As you can see, the number of options is significant, and I covered only 10 of them. Whichever app you decide to choose, remember to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to learn Java, and one day, you will be a person who advises on how to become a programmer.
